The rumor

we went into an empty classroom. Candy took out her makeup bag and help wipe the dirt and grime off my face.

"If you'd like makeup I can put some makeup on for you..." She asked and I agreed because that'll make her a little happy.

"Yes, please."

She nodded. "What makeup would you like?"

"I don't really know... anything you do I'll be fine." I said and she started doing wonders on my face.

"This is evening makeup. It's a bit luxurious for school, but I couldn't resist. All the guy's will just roll at your feet, wherever you go with this makeup." She said happily.

I collected a mirror from her and looked at myself, she's right. "You have real talent, Candy!" I exclaimed happily.

"Thank you. Now we need to get you into new clothes. I always keep a change of clothes in my locker, who knows when one may need them."

I choosed a skirt with a sweater and a coat. I changed into it and turned to her. "What do you think about this? Or is it too chick for school?"

"Nothing is too chick. And you look really great! You've got great taste."

The day classes began. I noticed that many were again looking and whispering at me. 'This is either Candy or...Or do they know about the chase?"' i quickly dismissed this thought. 'Nah there's no way. They would be questioning me about it already if they knew.'

At lunch break, Candy, Derek, and I went out into the hall. But even there the whispers did not stop. I froze near one of the classroom when I heard Steve's voice.

"Are you sure?" A girl asked him, surprised.

"Of course! Michael told me all about it himself." He said proudly.

"Come on. Are you that close with him?" Another boy asked, clearly not buying what Steve's said.

"For sure! We're like best friends!" Steve said.

"What exactly did he tell you?" The girl asked again.

"It's exactly what I told you—that they did it right there in the meadow. He said Sarah pounced on him like a cat." He said. Lowing his tone a little.

I was shocked with what I heard. "Ah..." I pulled away from the door, covering my face with my hands. I can't believe Michael is this much of a jerk. And the painful part is that it's not even true.

I heard the other boy's voice and stubbornly leaned in to hear what he's saying. "I sincerely doubt Michael said such things to you. Everyone knows that you are a gossip and make stuff up."

This word surely shocked Steve. "Hey! Maybe Michael just wanted everyone to know."

Derek shook me, grabbed my arm and pulled me away fromm the classroom. "Don't listen to this crap! This type of thing is expected from Michael and Steve."

Candy nodded. "Yeah! We know that none of this is true."

I nearly cried. "He's lying..." I tried to explain that all we did was kiss that day and that's all, I even pushed him.

"That's crystal clear." Candy said again.

Derek sighted. "It was really not worth to get involved with Micheal. Those two guys bring nothing but trouble."

Is Derek not understanding what I'm saying. "I had nothing going on with him!"

"As you can see it doesn't take much for a rumor to start." Derek said again.

Michael's grinning face appeared in front ofe, and my rage took over.

I went straight to the cafeteria. The cafeteria was noisy. Many students come here not so much to eat, but to gossip. The voices male and female, we heard from everywhere, at times lolling a bit quieter, then resounding with greater force.

My eyes scanned the room for Michael. Michael sat surrounded by the attention of the others at the table. He was talking about something, and everyone was laughing.

The fact that he was pleased with all this angered me even more. Michael noticed that I was approaching. My determined gait, my pursed lips, and probably my intensely angry face, made him tense up.

"Sarah?" I looked at him, ignoring others at the table.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" He immediately got up and followed me. I moved off to the side of the room so that no one can hear me.

"What's the matter?" He asked as soon as we stopped.

I can't believe he's playing ignorant. "What's the matter? You don't know?"

He shook his head. "No."

"You started a rumor... about us." I said through gritted teeth.

"What did I do?" He asked, shock and confusion clear in his voice but I didn't buy it.

"Don't talk about me anymore!" I screamed silently at him. Michael took a step forward, but I recoiled. "That's all I wanted to say."

I was about to leave, but he grabbed my hand. "Let me go."

"Not a chance."

I slapped him in the face. The slap silenced everyone in the cafeteria for a second. Then the deathly silence gave way to even more noise. It was clear that all eyes are now on me and Michael.

Someone whistled, and someone else urged me to slap him again. Michael paused—a barely perceptible imprint of my palm was left on his cheek. I thought he would get angry, but the next moment he smiled. And then, he burst out laughing. "I like it when you have that attitude."

I was shocked but quickly composed myself. "To hell with you!" While leaving the cafeteria, approving exclamations followed behind me.