Chapter 14:Rumors

The next day, I returned to school, feeling like a zombie. I just went through the motions, trying to avoid eye contact with Jake and Rachel.

But it seemed like everyone else had already heard about the drama. Whispers and stares followed me everywhere, and I could feel the weight of the rumors bearing down on me.

"I heard Jake dumped Mia for Rachel," someone whispered in the hallway.

"No, I heard Mia cheated on Jake with her ex," someone else chimed in.

I felt like I was living in a nightmare. How could things have gone so wrong so quickly?

As I walked through the cafeteria, I saw Jake and Rachel sitting together, laughing and smiling like they didn't have a care in the world.

I felt a pang of anger and hurt, but I knew I had to keep my head held high. I wasn't going to let them get the best of me.

But as I turned to walk away, I caught Jake's eye. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable.

And then, Jake looked away, leaving me feeling more lost and alone than ever. ‎