Chapter 63 Chapter 63

Chapter 63 Chapter 63
COLEEN

It started with whispers.

On Monday morning, walking into class felt different. I could feel the weight of eyes tracking me from the moment I stepped through the door.

Normally, I was the kind of person who could slip into a seat unnoticed, vanish into the rows like background noise. But that day, it was like someone had put a spotlight over me and turned the brightness all the way up.

I pulled my hoodie tighter around me, clutching my notebook against my chest as if it might shield me.

“Is it true?” a girl’s voice hissed from somewhere in the row ahead.

“I heard they kissed at the rink.”

“No way. Hayden Michaels? With her?”

My face burned. I forced myself to keep walking, my sneakers squeaking faintly against the tile floor.

When I sat down, I caught one of the girls, Jenna, I think, from biology, looking me up and down with a frown, like she was trying to solve a math equation that didn’t add up. When our eyes met, she quickly turned to whisper to her friend, both of them muffling laughter.

I wanted to sink into the floor.

But underneath all the nerves and embarrassment, there was a tiny spark of something else. Something warm, something stubborn. Because yeah, Hayden had kissed me. And not just kissed me, but called me his girlfriend.

And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

The lecture started, Professor Green scribbling across the board, but I could barely focus. Every time I shifted, I caught more whispers.

“Maybe she’s using him.”

“She’s not even his type.”

“I heard she works at the athletic complex, maybe that’s how she got close to him.”

By the time the class ended, my throat was tight and my hands were clammy. I shoved my notebook into my bag as quickly as possible, hoping to escape before anyone cornered me.

But of course, that was wishful thinking.

“Coleen!” a familiar voice rang out as I pushed the door open.

I turned to see Alicia striding toward me, her long braids swinging, her confidence practically radiating off her. She slipped her arm through mine like it was the most natural thing in the world and lowered her voice dramatically.

“So,” she said, eyes sparkling with mischief, “you want to tell me why every girl on campus suddenly looks like they want to set you on fire?”

I groaned. “Please don’t start.”

“Oh, I’m absolutely starting.” She grinned, steering me down the hallway. “You and Hayden? Finally? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?”

“Shh!” I hissed, glancing around. A couple of students turned their heads, curious, and I lowered my voice. “People are already… talking.”

“Let them talk,” Alicia said breezily. “They’re just mad because you’ve got what they want.”

I shot her a look. “That’s not helping.”

She squeezed my arm. “No, seriously. Do you realize how huge this is? Hayden Michaels, star of the team, campus golden boy, officially off the market. And with my girl Coleen, no less. You should be walking down this hallway with a crown on your head.”

I laughed nervously. “More like a target.”

We reached the quad, where clusters of students milled about. And sure enough, I could feel the stares again. A group of girls sitting on the steps went silent as we passed, their eyes narrowing in unison.

One of them, a tall brunette with perfectly winged eyeliner, muttered just loud enough for me to hear.

“I give it a month.”

My stomach dropped, but before I could react, Alicia spun on her heel, flashing them a blinding smile.

“Oh, sweetie,” she said, her tone sharp as glass. “Don’t be bitter. It’s not a good look on you.”

The girls blinked, caught off guard, and one of them sputtered something under her breath. But Alicia didn’t even wait for a response, she tugged me forward again, head held high.

I covered my mouth, half horrified, half amused. “Alicia!”

“What?” she asked innocently. “Someone had to say it.”

“You’re going to get us in trouble.”

“Correction, I’m going to get myself in trouble. You, my dear, are untouchable.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. Having Alicia by my side made the stares sting less.

We grabbed coffee from the student center, settling into a table near the window. I stirred my latte, avoiding Alicia’s knowing gaze.

“So,” she said, sipping her drink, “are you going to tell me what happened, or do I have to bribe Mark to spill?”

I groaned again. “You and Mark should form a support group for nosy best friends.”

“Don’t tempt me,” she teased. “Now, spill.”

I hesitated, heat rising in my cheeks. “He asked me to be his girlfriend after hockey practice. And then we kissed.”

Alicia squealed so loudly that the guy at the next table jumped. She slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide, then leaned across the table, whispering fiercely: “Finally!”

I couldn’t help laughing. “You’re ridiculous.”

“No, I’m invested,” she shot back, grinning. “I’ve been rooting for this since day one. And don’t you dare downplay it, it’s a big deal.”

I stared into my coffee, trying to hide the stupid smile spreading across my face. “It just feels… steady. Like we didn’t force it. Like it’s exactly where we’re supposed to be.”

Alicia’s expression softened. “See? That’s how you know it’s real.”

I nodded, my chest tightening with something that was equal parts fear and happiness. “I just… I don’t know how to handle everyone else knowing. The whispers, the stares. It feels like they’re all waiting for me to mess this up.”

“Let them wait,” Alicia said firmly. “Their opinions don’t matter. What matters is you and Hayden. And if he’s as serious as you say, then he’s not going anywhere.”

Her words sank into me, steadying me like an anchor. I breathed out slowly. “Thanks, Alicia.”

“Always,” she said with a wink.

We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about classes, gossip, and Mark’s upcoming performance. But even as I laughed at Alicia’s jokes, I kept replaying Hayden’s grin in my head, the warmth in his eyes when I’d said yes.

And later, walking back across campus, I caught sight of my reflection in one of the library windows. I still looked like me, same messy hair, same tired eyes, but there was something different in my smile. Something prouder.

Because for the first time, I wasn’t just the girl in the background. I was Hayden’s girlfriend. And no matter how many whispers followed me, that was something no one could take away.