By the time some false rumors reached everyone,
It didn't take long.
The rumors spread through the school faster than I ever imagined.
Students who used to ignore me now whispered whenever I walked past. Conversations grew quieter the moment I entered the classroom.
Some stared.
Others laughed.
I kept telling myself it would all blow over.
It didn't.
Every day seemed worse than the last.
One afternoon, as I walked through the hallway, someone slammed into my shoulder.
"Watch where you're going," the boy muttered before walking away.
I hadn't even touched him.
At lunch, I sat by myself.
A group of boys at the next table kept glancing in my direction.
One of them whispered something.
The others laughed.
Then I heard my name.
I quietly stood up and threw away the rest of my lunch.
I'd lost my appetite.
After school, I decided to take a different route home.
Maybe if I avoided everyone…
Things would finally be quiet.
I was wrong.
"Cody!"
I froze.
Behind me, John and two other boys were walking in my direction.
"Why are you leaving so fast?" John asked with a grin.
"I'm… not."
My voice sounded weaker than I wanted.
They followed me until we reached the field behind the school.
There was no one else around.
One of the boys stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
"So," he said, "you think you can mess with girls and get away with it?"
"I didn't do anything."
The three of them laughed.
Before I could react—
Someone shoved me.
I stumbled backward, lost my balance, and fell into the shallow ditch beside the field.
Cold water soaked through my clothes.
The boys burst into laughter.
John looked down at me with a smirk.
"Stay away from girls, creep."
They turned around and walked away, still laughing.
I stayed there for a long time.
The water dripped from my sleeves as I stared at the muddy ground.
I didn't even have the strength to get angry anymore.
Eventually, I stood up and started the long walk home.
When I opened the front door, my mom looked up from the kitchen.
"Cody?"
She frowned when she saw my wet clothes.
"What happened?"
I forced a small smile.
"…I tripped."
She looked at me for a moment before nodding.
"Be more careful next time."
"…Okay."
I went upstairs without another word.
After changing into dry clothes, I lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling.
For the first time…
I realized something.
Maybe…
Things were never going to be the same again.
END OF CHAPTER 6