Not Her Mission

Phase 23

As more people heard the rumor, the hate I got tripled. I didn't understand it. There are girls who cheat on their boyfriends by sleeping with half the guys in the school and no one says a word. 

Then when a girl is rumored to sleep with her boyfriend, everyone hates her?

I just don't get it.

In the halls people shouted obscene things at me. Some people threw things at me. 

People whispered things. 

"I heard she sleeps with her boyfriend on the first date."

"I heard that she's been with 12 guys."

"I heard that she was pregnant and put the baby up for adoption. Then she moved here so no one would know."  

I didn't ride the bus to school that morning. I walked. I didn't talk to anyone before school or in between classes.

I didn't talk to anyone during class until Journalism.

"Everyone will need to get in groups of two. We are starting a new project," My teacher said.

Great. I didn't have any friends in that class. Not that I would now because of this stupid rumor.

Quickly everyone paired up and I was left alone. 

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a girl with curly brown hair.

"Have a partner?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Neither do I. I'm Michelle. You're Peter's friend, (Y/n), right?" she stuck out her hand.

We shook hands.

"Yeah, how'd you know?" I asked.

"He talks about you a lot during Academic Decathlon meetings."

I smiled nervously and let out a small chuckle. 

"Yeah. All good things of course," Michelle said, "I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but those rumors I've heard about you I-"

"Oh my god," I sighed.

"Wait, No. I don't believe them. At all. And you don't deserve the hate you're getting... I just want to say that you shouldn't listen to them. They're all losers. You'll get through this."

 "Thank you Michelle."

"You know yesterday during our Academic Decathlon meeting, the rumors got brought up and Peter was quick to shut it down. I've honestly never seen him so passionate about a topic. He's a good friend. Don't forget that." she said. 

Our teacher cut our conversation short and gave us our assignment. We had to design a magazine filled with articles about celebrities and current events. 

"Now of course, you can make up your own celebrities and people. Or if you want you can use real celebrities and make up whatever you want about them. You will be graded on creativity, originality, and how interesting your magazine is. These will be due the day we get back from winter break." Our teacher said, "You will have all next class to work on it."

The bell for class to end rung. 

"Your homework is to brainstorm ideas to share with your partner next class!" They said as students left. 

"See you around, (Y/n)," Michelle said before disappearing into the crowd. 

The smile that I didn't know I had faded once I stepped into that hallway. My next period was lunch. 

I sat down at our table but I was the first one there. 

Peter showed up after a bit of time. 

"Ned has to finish a test, so I don't think he'll be joining us today," Peter said.

"Okay," I stated.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Not really, but it's fine."

"No it's not fine. What's wrong?" 

"Just... everything, I guess. These damn rumors are just getting to me I guess... No, it's not the rumors. It's the shit I'm getting from everyone."

Peter frowned. "I'm really sorry. If I could make all this go away I would."

"Thanks. It means a lot."

"Of course. That's what friends are for," He said.

Peter spent the rest of the period cheering me up. We talked. We laughed. 

We had a good time, just the two of us.

Hey Author Here!

What do you guys want to see in your magazine with Michelle? Comment and it might make it in.