Sophie's fingers trembled as she sat at her desk, staring at her sketchbook. The hallways had been unusually quiet that morning, but the silence felt heavy, almost suffocating. A rumor had started circulating overnight, one she hadn't expected: someone claimed they had seen Ethan with another girl, laughing too closely, whispering too intimately.
Her stomach twisted. She knew Ethan. She had spent hours with him in the library and during festival preparations. She knew he wouldn't do anything to betray her trust—but the image kept replaying in her mind.
Maya, sensing her mood, plopped down beside her during lunch. "What's wrong? You look like someone stole your sketchbook and insulted your art all in one go."
Sophie shook her head, frustrated. "It's… it's Ethan. There's this rumor going around."
Maya frowned. "What kind of rumor?"
Sophie swallowed hard. "Someone said they saw him with a girl yesterday. Laughing… like more than friends."
Maya placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sophie, you know him. Don't let gossip decide how you feel."
Sophie wanted to believe that. She really did. But when she saw Ethan arriving in the courtyard later, smiling at another girl as they discussed a piece of music, doubt gnawed at her. The girl laughed at something he said, and for a moment, Sophie's heart sank.
Unable to bear it any longer, Sophie approached them. "Ethan," she called softly, her voice catching.
He turned, eyes immediately concerned. "Sophie? What's wrong?"
The girl stepped back, sensing the tension, and waved. "Hi, I'm just helping him with the festival music!"
Ethan glanced at Sophie, puzzled. "She's in music club," he explained quickly. "I asked for her opinion on a few chords for the festival soundtrack. That's all."
Sophie blinked, heat rising to her cheeks. "Oh… I… I'm sorry," she stammered. "I just…"
Ethan's expression softened, and he stepped closer. "You don't have to apologize. I understand why you were worried."
But Sophie shook her head, fighting the lump in her throat. "I just… I thought… maybe—"
"Hey," Ethan said gently, taking her hand, "I like you, Sophie. You don't have to doubt that because of someone else's gossip."
The sincerity in his eyes made her chest tighten. She nodded, relief washing over her. The tension that had built up over the rumor seemed to dissolve in that moment.
Maya, who had watched from a distance, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Finally. Took you long enough."
Sophie laughed softly, letting go of the worry that had weighed her down all morning. Ethan smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. The courtyard felt lighter now, filled with possibilities instead of whispers.
For the first time, Sophie realized that misunderstandings might arise, and rumors might spread—but some bonds were stronger than any gossip. And hers with Ethan was one she wasn't willing to let fade.