Chapter 25 Fucking rumours
Stephanie
If I thought my hangover this morning was the worst part of my day, then I was not ready for the chaos that awaited me at school.
My eyes widened in horror as I rewatched the clip on Brooklyn's phone over and over again. But no matter how many times I rewatched it, the content didn't change.
Apparently, the indoor pool that I thought was almost empty last night wasn't empty at all. Someone had managed to record a video of Kendrix jumping into the pool and carrying me out in his arms.
The video would have been innocent if the person hadn't posted it on the school blog with completely wrong context. There were screenshots taken from deliberately intimate angles, when I buried my face in his chest, the way I leaned into him as we made our way out of the pool area. They even cropped out Brooklyn and the other guys just to push the wrong narrative.
@tylercarrie_01: Ken is so hot for this!
@karina_smith: omg! they look so good together. (cute eyes emoji)
@pretty_girl_anna: can't believe the new girl already has him wrapped around her fingers… life is so unfair (pouting emoji)
@collinnnn: I bet they definitely fuck after this part, maybe that's why the captain isn't in school yet (laughing emoji)
“I really don't think it would get better if you keep reading it. You already got a hang out the situation.” Brooklyn's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. She gently collected her phone from me but I was still frozen in shock.
We were standing at the deserted part of the school garden. She had dragged me here immediately I stepped into class few minutes ago.
“I know you're still reeling from the shock but there are actually two sides to this situation. There is the bad side and also the good side.” she added when I still didn't move.
My gaze snapped to her and narrowed. “Everyone at school thinks I fucked my stepbrother. What's the good side in that?”
“Well, when you put it like that, it makes this difficult to say. And since you already stated the bad side, I'll just say the video seem more focused on Ken being a hero than the…other thing. Also, not a lot of people know you're related so it makes it less…scandalous and…” she blew out a sigh.
“I'm trying to be supportive and say something uplifting here but I think I'm just making it worse, babe.” she said.
Despite the horror of the situation, I forced myself to say, “Not entirely. I appreciate the sentiment.”
Brooklyn was right. While my mother's marriage to Will hadn't been a secret, my relation to the Sinclairs wasn't really well known. I had stayed out of the spotlight as best as I could before and during the wedding. Except I had been dragged right back into it.
The worst kind of spotlight ever.
It hadn't even been a full week since I resumed and I had already gone viral for the wrong reasons. First, for being pushed into a pool by the school's meanest girl, and second, for being saved by the school's hottest guy.
I was truly living the dream.
“You really can't find the asshole who posted this?” I asked again.
“It was anonymous, Steph.” Brooklyn replied softly.
“Right. Okay.” I breathed and tried to calm my nerves. It didn't work. “Let's just get to class. Get through the rest of the day like nothing happened.”
Brooklyn stared at me for a very long while. “We could skip if you want. Maybe go to Benny's for some burgers. I have a couple outfits we can change into in my truck.”
I smiled then, a kernel of warmth spreading across my chest as I stared at my friend. “Thank you, Brooke. I really appreciate your support.” I said, genuinely.
She nodded. “So is that a yes or a no on skipping?”
“No.” I shook my head. I wasn't going to hide when I hadn't done anything wrong. The rumours weren't true. “We already wasted half of the day outside of classrooms, a few more hours won't hurt.”
She glanced at me, her eyes narrowed. Just when I thought she would argue, she let out a sigh. “Let's go to the cafeteria instead. It's almost time for lunch break. Plus, if we get there early, we can sit far away from the crowd.”
Brooklyn and I headed to the cafeteria. Kendrix had left the minute Brooklyn showed him the clip. I had no idea where he went and I wasn't eager to know. It was probably not the best idea to be seen together if everyone thought we were dating.
Funny how I had never cared about other people's opinion until I was on the first page of the school's blog.
My mind whirled as I thought of different people that might have posted the video. I didn't know many people at school aside from the Brooklyn, Cisco, and JJ. I hadn't really interacted with anyone yet. Except one person.
“What if it was Sophie?” I blurted to Brooklyn. We had entered the cafeteria and was now walking towards the counter. “I mean, she's the only person here who seems to hate my guts. And she did push me into the pool.”
I clenched my fist, reining in my shudder as the memory of the water flashed across my mind. I had tried my best not to think about the creeping fear I had felt at that moment.
“I don't think so.” Brooklyn said as she grabbed the burger she ordered.
“The clip started with Ken jumping into the pool and then carrying you out. The person taking the video seems only focused on Ken's ‘heroic’ act. I doubt they even saw Sophie pushed you in.”
I nodded in agreement. I stared at the pile of trays for a few seconds before opting for an apple. I didn't trust myself to stomach any food without puking my guts out.
“Babe, I know you're really stressed and you want to find whoever did this, you have my full support. But also, don't put too much pressure on yourself. The rumours will soon blow over and the students will find something new to obsess over.” Brooklyn said.
She turned to the lunch lady. “Can I get some packets of hot sauce?”
The lady offered her a smile and gave her what she asked for, which was a few packets more than normal.
“Why the hell do you need so much sauce?” I asked, unable to stop myself.
“I'm still terribly hungover from last night and I have to go to practice later.” She groaned as we walked to our seat.
I couldn't figure out why everyone thought consuming an insane amount of hot sauce was instant remedy for hangover. But that wasn't the only thing that caught my attention.
“What practice?” I asked.
“Dance practice.” she replied and bit into her burger.
“I didn't know you dance.”
She shook her head, her mouth still full of food as she muttered, “I don't.”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “Then why are you attending practices?”
“Apparently, I need hobbies to get into college. And being annoyed by generally half of the Earth's population isn't an acceptable hobby. So I signed up for the dance classes after school.” she shrugged.
“Impressive.” I nodded.
“Not really. I just need something to add to my college essay.”
“Wait, college essay? Why are we talking about college essay?” I had so many going on in my life this summer that I had essentially forgotten what senior year was about. Preparing for college.
I was not ready for that aspect of my life.
“I know right. We literally just resumed and we're already talking about the future.” she took a bite of her burger and sighed. “I'm exhausted just thinking about it.”
“If it makes you feel better, I haven't thought about college until now. Do you think the dance club will still accept new members?”
“I don't know. They should still be accepting. Why don't you come with me after school?” she asked.
I had to meet Dr Martins after school today. I've had two panic attacks in a matter of days, at the Vault and then at the pool. I needed her intervention. But since I wasn't supposed to come in today, I'd have to wait a few hours until she was free anyway.
“Sure, no problem.”
Brooklyn and I continued chatting after that. Soon, I forgot about the rumours and laughed with my friends. But when the stares grew heavier, when the pointing and sneers became louder, it was impossible not to shrink into myself.
This was going to be a long day.