Bruised Innocence

Chapter 37

As I walked in the school, I knew that they knew.

The stares, the whispers and the pointing, I guess they hadn't been able to keep it a secret after all.

I bowed my head down and rushed towards the classroom but I couldn't keep out the voices of people who weren't even making a show of trying to be subtle about their discussions.

I passed Cora Hudson, her friend, Piper and Rowan; who were standing near the door of the classroom.

Rowan had a nasty smug on his face while Cora and Piper were talking conspiratorially.

"It's obvious, isn't it? They are after his money!" Hudson stated, not even bothering to keep her voice low and passing me a contemptuous look.

Piper nodded sagely. "Yeah, Why would he hang out with him, if he did that?"

Another boy that I recognised as the one who had held me in the classroom; Pencer came forward to join them.

"And that's not even the worst! I heard that they even kissed a few days ago." He added, visibly proud of being able to add to their conversation.

That made me stop.

"......"

Rowan scoffed at it.

"So what? Are we supposed to believe that he forgot about being attacked and then conveniently kissed the guy who had attacked him?"

"Well, duh! Obviously, he is lying!" Cora was quick to add to it.

"Hey! What are you guys talking about?" Joan Andrews came strutting about.

"Haven't you heard? Grant has been convicted of assaulting Fern. Apparemtly, He has been ordered to change schools and pay the Ferns quite a few grands in fine!"

What? Mom didn't tell me that Grant has been asked to transfer!

Another realisation struck me.

I might never see him again.

"What? When did that happen? How am I hearing about this only now?" Andrew's inquired.

"You tell us that! Have you been living under a rock? It's all everyone has been talking about since yesterday!" Hudson retorted but then Rowan chimed in.

"Remember when Fern disappeared for months from school? So, we knew that someone jumped him. Apparently, they found evidence that Grant was the one who did it."

I resisted the urge to scream at them.

They were wrong! They were all wrong! They didn't know anything!

"I heard that even Vincent's mom stopped him from associating with him coz it might affect their reputation." Pencer added, eager to please his audience and I felt my stomach fall like.

Matt's mom had forbidden him from being with me? But....why?

I refused to let it affect me.

I can't let them get to me. Not after all this time. That couldn't possibly be true! How could they even know that? It was all just rumours!

I quickly walked inside the classroom. Sitting on the first row on the right, I waited for the teacher to appear. Only that would stop them from rumour mongering.

I desperately prayed for Matt and Karen to arrive. But suddenly, I didn't feel so good about it.

Will Matt even like to be around me anymore?