Chapter 4 IVY'S POV

The second I walked into the hallway, I could tell something was off. I had that weird, heavy feeling. The kind that one feels right before something bad happens.

People were staring. From all over. Some didn't even bother to look away. Others quickly looked down when I caught them.

My whole body tensed up. Why? I had no clue. But something was off. I felt it.

Then I saw Sophia.

She was standing by my locker, arms crossed. Definitely waiting for me. But something about her face looked off.

She kept fidgeting, occasionally turning to glare at something.

Rushing to her, my hands instinctively reached out to hold her.

My brows furrowed, I asked. "What's wrong Soph?"

She sighed. "Haven't you heard?"

The way she asked, almost sent my heart racing.

"Haven't I heard what?"

"The rumors. About you and Liam," she whispered.

I swallowed. My mouth instantly dried up. Everything inside of me froze.

Liam?

"Huh?" I blinked. "What... what about him? What do you mean?"

She bit her lips. "Ivy... where's your phone?"

"It's in my bag. Why?"

She hesitated. "There are also posts. About you...and Liam."

My stomach dropped. "Posts?"

She hesitated again. That pause told me everything I needed to know.

It was bad.

Sophia sighed. "Some people are saying you fought with him. Others are saying you... confessed, and he rejected you for Claire."

My heart stopped. My world went blank. Everything within sight instantly blurred. My ears were ringing. My chest felt heavy. Breathing was hard.

No.

I swallowed hard. "That's not true. You know that, Soph."

Sophia frowned. "I know it's not. But people don't care if it's true. They just like drama."

I crossed my arms and leaned my head against the locker. Closed my eyes. Everything was too loud. Too much.

I covered my ears, trying to drown everything out. I mumbled the periodic table under my breath, anything to stay grounded.

Sophia grabbed my arm tighter. "Breathe, Ivy. Please."

I squeezed my eyes tightly, trying to listen to her, not them.

"Ivy, just ignore it," Sophia said.

My vision blurred. A tear broke loose. I rubbed my face, but more tears followed.

"What do I do, Soph?"

Before she could answer, my other friends rushed over.

"Ivy, what happened?" Diane asked.

"Are you okay?" Nola asked.

Sophia exhaled sharply. "The rumor," she hissed.

They surrounded me, blocking out the stares. It should have helped. It didn't.

More gossips to come. My knees buckled. I fell forward, catching myself. Warm fingers curled around my arm, holding me up.

"Easy," Gary's voice. "They don't matter. Just breathe."

"Ivy, calm, don't just listen to them," Nola murmured. "Ignore them."

I barely felt anything.

They kept telling me not to worry. But we all knew otherwise.

The stares hadn't stopped. They were getting worse.

I could feel their eyes. Burning into my skin.

I wasn't overreacting.

The last time this happened, the girl ended up leaving school. She disappeared. Just like that. Gone from school.

I still remember how they treated her. Like she was nothing. And now... it's happening again.

But this time, it's me.

I tried to stay calm. Just keep walking, I told myself. Just walk.

Each step felt impossible. The whispers were loud and wouldn't stop.

Sophia snapped at someone. It made them stare more.

People started looking at me differently. They had seen me fall apart. I was now a pity case.

I hated it.

By lunchtime, I felt drained. My head ached.

Nobody was whispering anymore. They were just straight-up staring.

My hands were shaking, and I kept my head down, trying not to drop my tray.

Just get in, eat, and get out-

Then my stomach dropped.

She was here.

Claire.

She had her arms wrapped around Liam's, all smiles, laughing just loud enough to be heard.

Liam sat beside her, his eyes glued to his tray.

And then, something happened.

A girl bumped into Claire, sending her books flying.

The cafeteria went dead silent.

Claire's face darkened.

"Watch it," she snapped. Then-bam. She shoved the girl.

The girl gasped, she barely caught herself. A flush crept up her neck.

She looked around, searching for an escape.

I tensed.

Liam straightened. "That's enough, Claire."

His voice wasn't loud. But it was clear.

Claire tensed up. Her face changed for a second, then it was gone.

She glanced at the girl. "Watch it," she muttered.

The girl swallowed. "S-sorry."

Zane sighed. He bent down and picked the books, handing them back.

Claire rolled her eyes. "Seriously? You're all so sensitive."

Sweat was running down my forehead. I felt sick.

I took a slow breath. Just trying not to panic.

But then-

Claire's eyes landed on me.

And she smiled.

Not a nice smile.

Goosebumps prickled my arms.

Before I could figure out why-

The cafeteria doors banged open.

Mr. Adams walked in. "Alright, listen up students! The Spring Fling is coming up, and we need volunteers for the planning committee."

I barely heard him. My heart was still hammering.

Then Claire stood up, smiling. "Oh! Mr Adams, no need to worry. The A-listers will handle that. Liam, Zane, Natasha, and I will take care of everything."

Liam barely looked up. "I'm not interested, Claire."

Claire's smile fell. Then she covered it with a laugh. "Oh, please." She waved a hand. "You'll be supporting from the sidelines. Quietly."

Diane snorted. "Can you believe Claire? God she's insufferable."

Gary snorted. "Understatement of the year."

Nola murmured, "I'm not surprised Liam didn't go for it. He never really seems into her."

I glanced at Liam. He was eating, not paying attention.

But for just a second, after she turned away...

His eyes lingered on her.

What was his deal?

The lunch bell rang and snapped me out of it.

I stood too fast. My chair screeched across the floor and made me jump.

I stumbled.

"Easy, Ivy," Gary said, steadying me.

I smiled gratefully. Then I felt a presence.

She was there.

Claire.

I turned. She stood too close to me.

I stiffened.

Then she smiled.

"Ivy, would you like to join the planning committee?"

Everything stopped.

My stomach dropped.

I stared at her.

I had a bad feeling about this.

I swallowed hard.

This was a trap.