Chapter 2 Rumours in the hallway

The next morning at Brookshire High started with whispers.

Naomi noticed it the moment she walked through the front gates. Conversations paused when she passed. Eyes followed her. Some curious, some amused, some openly judgmental.

She had been at the school for exactly one day.

One day.

Yet somehow, she was already the center of attention.

Lila hurried toward her near the lockers.

"You're trending," Lila said dramatically.

Naomi sighed. "Please tell me that's a joke."

"I wish it was."

Lila pulled out her phone and showed her the school gossip page.

Right at the top was a post:

"New girl Naomi Nelson already sitting beside Ethan Cole. Brave or desperate?"

Naomi groaned.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Welcome to Brookshire," Lila said.

Naomi shut her locker a little harder than necessary.

"I literally just sat in an empty seat."

"Well," Lila replied, "you sat in the one seat no one else touches."

Naomi rubbed her temple.

"Why is everyone so obsessed with him?"

Lila shrugged.

"Because Ethan Cole doesn't let people close. Ever. So when someone suddenly sits beside him and he doesn't kick them out... people notice."

Naomi didn't like the way that sounded.

Not one bit.

Later that morning, Naomi stepped outside to the courtyard during break.

The autumn air was cool, carrying the scent of fresh grass and distant rain. Students filled the courtyard benches, talking and laughing.

Naomi found an empty spot under a large oak tree.

For the first time that day, things felt quiet.

Peaceful.

But peace didn't last long at Brookshire High.

"Look who it is."

Naomi looked up.

The same girl from yesterday stood in front of her.

Her name, Naomi remembered hearing, was Victoria Hale.

Behind her stood two friends, both wearing identical smug expressions.

Victoria crossed her arms.

"You really like attention, don't you?"

Naomi closed her notebook slowly.

"I like sitting down."

Victoria's smile tightened.

"You think you're funny?"

"I think you're dramatic."

The two girls behind Victoria gasped slightly.

Victoria leaned closer.

"You must not understand how things work here."

Naomi stood up now, meeting her gaze evenly.

"Then explain it."

Victoria pointed toward the basketball court across the yard.

Ethan stood there with a few teammates.

"You stay away from Ethan Cole."

Naomi followed her gaze briefly.

Then she looked back.

"Why?"

Victoria's eyes narrowed.

"Because he's not for people like you."

"And people like me are...?"

"Temporary."

The word hung in the air like an insult.

Naomi felt her patience snap slightly.

"Interesting," she said calmly. "Because he never mentioned belonging to you."

Victoria's face turned red.

One of her friends whispered, "She really doesn't know, does she?"

Victoria suddenly shoved Naomi's notebook off the bench.

Papers scattered across the ground.

"That's your warning."

Naomi stared at the fallen pages.

For a moment, she didn't move.

Then suddenly another voice spoke behind them.

"Pick it up."

Everyone froze.

Naomi turned.

Ethan Cole stood a few steps away.

The courtyard had gone silent.

Victoria's confidence cracked instantly.

"Ethan," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "We were just-"

"I said pick it up."

His voice was calm.

But firm.

Victoria hesitated.

Students nearby were already watching.

Slowly, reluctantly, she bent down and gathered Naomi's papers.

She handed them back.

Without meeting Naomi's eyes.

Then Victoria turned and walked away quickly with her friends.

The courtyard buzzed with whispers.

Naomi looked at Ethan.

"You didn't have to do that."

He shrugged.

"She crossed a line."

Naomi tilted her head.

"I thought you avoided drama."

"I do."

"Then why help me?"

Ethan studied her for a moment.

Like he was deciding how much to say.

Finally he replied quietly,

"Because you don't belong in their games."

Before Naomi could respond, he walked away.

Leaving her with even more questions.

That afternoon, Naomi stopped by her locker before leaving school.

The hallway was mostly empty now.

She opened her locker and grabbed her bag.

But something strange caught her eye.

Across the hallway...

Ethan's locker door was slightly open.

Naomi didn't mean to look.

But something inside caught her attention.

A photograph.

She stepped closer unconsciously.

And then she froze.

Because the photograph was of her.

Naomi.

Standing in front of a bookstore.

Three years ago.

Her heart skipped.

How...?

Before she could process it-

"Looking for something?"

Naomi jumped.

Ethan stood behind her.

His expression unreadable.

Naomi pointed toward the locker.

"That picture..."

Ethan's eyes darkened slightly.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Naomi asked the question that suddenly felt very important.

"Why do you have a picture of me?"

Ethan slowly closed his locker door.

And his answer made Naomi's heart race.

"Because," he said quietly,

"I've been looking for you for three years."

Naomi stared at him.

Confused.

"What do you mean?"

Ethan looked like he was about to explain.

But suddenly-

A loud crash echoed down the hallway.

Both of them turned.

And at the far end of the corridor...

Victoria stood with the school principal.

Pointing directly at Naomi.