Weres

44. Mature Conversation

As Eden and Marley entered through the big metal doors, every pair of eyes in the hallway turned in their direction. Some teens went back to their own business, whereas the most still stared as the couple walked across the hall. Hushed murmurs followed their every step.

"Is it because I went missing?" Marley asked, her stance turning timid under the gawking eyes. She could feel the perspiration on her forehead.

Eden nodded, and held her hand when he saw her shrinking. He glared at the bunch of students, making everyone avert their eyes.

It had been a week since Marley was last time in school. She did miss the familiar bland hallways, but wasn't prepared for people's prodding looks. She was sure her made up run away story must be all over the school by now as the latest scandal.

"Just give it a couple of days. Everyone's going to move on with the next big gossip," Eden reassured, pulling her along with him.

"Let's hope that the next big gossip isn't about you," Marley teased with a half-smile.

"People just love me," Eden cooed back teasingly.

The pack had always been the centre of attention in the school and people liked talking about them, sometimes also making things up like their involvement in bike gang, street gang or even mafia. Even though most of the students knew that it was all a load of crap, they still propagated these conspiracies to humour others and themselves. It was high school.

A high squeal halted their steps. They saw a petite figure charging toward them from the other end of the hallway, making Eden let go of Marley's hand. "You associate with the crazies," he snorted, looking at the running girl.

"You happen to be one of those crazies." Marley retorted, with a small glare in her mate's direction, before she got smothered into a tight embrace.

"You're back!" Rachel cried, throwing her arms around Marley and jostling her into a tight hug. "You had us all worried."

"I'm alright," Marley whispered, and petted her friend's hair comfortingly.

"Rachel, just because you're small, it doesn't mean that you can launch yourself on other people." Another familiar voice spoke from behind. Kiara shook her head, looking at the tiny girl who was latched onto Marley.

Rachel released Marley, before turning to Eden. Her face immediately turned sour. She glared at him accusingly. "What did you do to Marley?!"

"Huh?" Eden looked back in confusion as Rachel pointed her finger at him. Her accusing eyes became more intense.

"It's all over the school that you cheated on her, and that made her leave."

By now the students were once again staring at them. Marley groaned internally at both—the unwanted attention and the false rumours.

"Rachel, it's nothing like that. He didn't cheat on me," Marley interfered, not wanting her friend and boyfriend to get into a fight. "I'll explain it all to you."

Rachel didn't change her stance and kept on glaring at Eden, who glared back. A small hit on the back of her head by the blonde finally made her look away.

Kiara rolled her eyes at Rachel's pouting face. "Patrick told you that, and most of the things that come out of that guy's mouth is utter bullshit. Marley is naive to date Eden, but you're more naive than her to believe someone like Patrick." 

"I'm not naive." Marley and Rachel muttered together.

Kiara waved them dismissively, and Eden too silently agreed with her. Both were as clueless as they come.