The next day started… suspiciously normal.
No dramatic wake-up.
No chaos.
No ice water.
Just sunlight slipping through my window and the quiet hum of morning.
I sat up slowly, stretching.
"Okay," I muttered. "Today is going to be peaceful."
My phone buzzed.
I didn't even have to look.
"…I spoke too soon."
I grabbed it anyway.
Surprisingly—
It wasn't Ethan.
It was a group chat.
School Chat (23 new messages)
My stomach dropped.
"That's never good."
I opened it.
And instantly regretted it.
Random Girl #1:
Is it true??
Random Guy:
I saw them at the fair
Random Girl #2:
No way
Random Girl #3:
Mary was there too…
My heart started racing.
Oh no.
No no no.
I scrolled.
Random Guy:
Apparently she threw water on her
Random Girl #2:
That's so messy
Random Girl #1:
But like… are they together??
I froze.
My name popped up.
More than once.
I locked my phone immediately.
"Nope."
I got out of bed and started pacing.
"This is exactly what I didn't want."
Of course people saw.
It was a crowded fair.
Of course someone talked.
And now—
Now it was spreading.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, a direct message.
From Ethan.
Ethan:
Have you checked the group chat?
I groaned.
Me:
Yes.
Ethan:
Well…
I waited.
Ethan:
Congrats. You're famous.
I dropped onto my bed.
"I hate him."
Another message came.
Ethan:
Also Austin knows.
My heart skipped.
Of course he knew.
Everyone probably knew.
Before I could reply—
Another notification popped up.
Austin.
I hesitated before opening it.
Austin:
Good Morning.
Why was he so calm?
How was he so calm?
Austin:
Ignore the chat.
I blinked.
That was it?
That was his reaction?
I typed quickly.
Me:
How are you so calm about this??
Three dots appeared.
Austin:
Because it doesn't change anything.
I paused.
Read it again.
And again.
It doesn't change anything.
My chest felt… lighter.
Me:
People are talking.
Austin:
They always do.
Another pause.
Then.
Austin:
Do you care?
I stared at the question.
Did I care?
Yes.
No.
Maybe.
"I don't know…" I whispered.
My fingers hovered over the screen.
Then I typed.
Me:
A little.
His reply came almost immediately.
Austin:
That's fair.
Another message followed.
Austin:
But I don't.
My heart did that stupid flip again.
Austin:
I meant what I said yesterday.
I smiled a little.
Even though he couldn't see it.
Before I could respond—
Another message popped up.
This time…
From Mary.
My stomach tightened.
I hesitated.
Then opened it.
Mary:
Wow. You really don't waste time.
I sighed.
Here we go.
Mary:
First the fair. Now everyone's talking.
I typed slowly.
Me:
I didn't start that.
Her reply came fast.
Mary:
You didn't stop it either.
I frowned.
What was I even supposed to say to that?
Another message.
Mary:
Just don't act like you didn't know what you were doing.
That one annoyed me.
A lot.
Me:
I didn't do anything wrong, Austin doesn't belong to you.
There was a pause.
Then—
Mary:
We'll see about that.
I stared at the screen.
"What does that even mean?"
Before I could overthink it further, my phone buzzed again.
Ethan.
Again.
Ethan:
Emergency meeting.
I rolled my eyes.
Me:
No.
Ethan:
Yes.
Me:
Why.
Ethan:
Because your life is turning into a drama series and I need front row seats.
Me:
You're not helping.
Ethan:
I am emotional support.
Me:
You are chaos.
Ethan:
Same thing.
I sighed.
Then another message came.
From Austin.
Austin:
I'm coming over.
My heart skipped.
Wait—
What?
Me:
Why?
Austin:
Because you are stressed.
I blinked.
Am I?
I guess I am.
Before I could respond—
Another message.
Austin:
Also Ethan is already on his way.
I stared at the screen.
"…Of course he is."
Twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
I didn't even need to check who it was.
I opened it.
Ethan walked in first.
"Breaking news!" he announced. "You're trending!"
"Get out."
"Rude."
Austin stepped in behind him.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Just like that…
Everything felt slightly better.
Ethan flopped onto the couch.
"So. Situation analysis."
"There is no situation," I said.
"There is always a situation," he replied.
Austin leaned against the wall, watching me.
"You okay?"
I nodded.
"Mostly."
Ethan raised a finger.
"Step one: ignore the haters."
"I'm not calling people haters," I said.
"I am."
Austin shook his head.
"Step two," Ethan continued, "own it."
I blinked.
"Own it?"
"Yes."
"How?"
He pointed between me and Austin.
"By not acting like you did something wrong."
I paused.
Because…
That actually made sense.
Austin nodded slightly.
"He's right."
I looked at both of them.
"This is weird."
"What?" Ethan asked.
"You making sense."
He grinned.
"I have my moments."
Austin stepped closer.
"You didn't do anything wrong," he said again.
That made something settle in my chest.
For real this time.
"Okay," I said quietly.
"Okay," Ethan echoed proudly.
I rolled my eyes.
"Don't get used to it."
"Too late."
Austin smiled slightly.
And just like that…
The rumors didn't feel as heavy anymore.
Not gone.
But manageable.
Because this time—
I wasn't dealing with it alone.