Chapter 5 Rumors Start

Casey POV

By the next morning everyone knows something happened. I realize it before I even reach the main quad two girls walking ahead of me are whispering loudly enough that I can hear pieces of their conversation.

“…I swear Dylan said they were arguing.”

“No way. Chris never argues with her.”

“I’m telling you he did.”

They notice me approaching and stop talking immediately one of them glances at me in a way that makes my stomach tighten but I keep walking this is exactly what I tried to avoid attention.

The quad is crowded with students heading to morning classes. The air smells like coffee and cold air groups of people stand near the fountain talking and scrolling through their phones but I keep my head down and move toward the science building then I hear Chris’s name again.

“…the captain actually walked away from her.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I heard Rebecca was furious.”

I walk faster none of this is my problem none of it involves me that is what I tell myself but the truth is harder to ignore yesterday, Chris stepped away from Rebecca in front of half the campus and everyone saw it.

Inside the lecture hall the noise settles into the usual pre-class chatter. I take my usual seat near the back and open my notebook I focus on writing the date at the top of the page routine helps it keeps things under control.

Students begin filling the room two girls behind me start whispering again. “Rebecca looked like she was going to kill someone.”

“She probably will.”

“Imagine being the reason they fight.”

I stop writing the professor enters the room before the conversation can continue the lecture begins for the first ten minutes, everything is normal then the door opens I do not need to look up to know who it is the shift in the room gives it away.

Chris walks in without rushing like he always does conversations quiet slightly as he moves up the aisle he sits a few seats away from me this time not directly beside me. I focus on my notes I refuse to look at him but I can feel it that strange awareness from the past few days like he knows exactly where I am.

The lecture continues the professor writes formulas across the board while students type and whisper. My pen moves steadily across the page then someone in the front row raises a hand and asks a question the professor begins explaining something complicated most of the class looks confused.

I look up to follow the explanation and I make the mistake of looking to the side Chris is already looking at me not just casually but directly.

My stomach drops I look away immediately and return to my notes it means nothing he just happened to be looking in my direction that is all except when I glance up again a few minutes later it happens again. He looks at me like he is checking something like he wants to make sure I am still there.

The lecture ends thirty minutes later and students begin packing their bags I close my notebook quickly and stand hoping to leave before anyone tries to talk to me but as I move toward the aisle I hear someone say quietly behind me, “Dude.”

I look back without meaning to Chris’s teammate Dylan sits two seats away from him leaning slightly forward. “You are not even pretending to pay attention,” Dylan says quietly.

Chris shrugs.

“You keep staring.”

“I’m not staring.”

“You are absolutely staring.”

I turn away before I hear the rest my face feels warm as I walk toward the exit the hallway outside is crowded students move in every direction, talking and laughing. I slip through the crowd and head toward my next class for a moment I think I escaped unnoticed then someone says my name not loudly just enough to stop me.

“Casey.”

I turn Chris is standing a few feet behind me and several students nearby glance over immediately I wish he had not said my name. “Yes?” I ask carefully.

“You left before I could ask if you were okay today.”

“I’m fine.”

“You said that yesterday too.”

“I meant it today.”

He studies my face like he is trying to confirm that people nearby slow down as they pass pretending not to watch.

“Did you eat?” he asks.

I sigh quietly. “Yes.”

It is not entirely a lie this time and he seems to accept the answer but his expression still looks skeptical before he can say anything else another voice interrupts. “Captain!”

Two of his teammates approach us from down the hall one of them grins when he sees me standing there. “Well, this is interesting,” he says.

Chris gives him a look. “Not now.”

The teammate raises both hands in surrender. “Relax we were just going to the gym.”

Dylan walks up behind them and glances between Chris and me something about his expression changes not judgment but observation he is paying attention. “Practice in an hour,” Dylan reminds Chris.

“I know.”

Dylan nods once and starts walking again with the others but before he leaves he look back at Chris then at me then back at Chris he says something quietly to the others as they walk away they laugh.

Chris ignores them I do not because the moment they turn the corner I hear one of them say clearly, “So that is the sister.”

The words send a wave of heat up my neck Chris hears it too and his jaw tightens.

“I should go,” I say quickly.

“You don’t have to leave because of them.”

“I’m not leaving because of them.”

I am leaving because this situation keeps getting worse because the longer I stand here talking to him the more people will notice and they already are students walking past us are whispering again I recognize the tone.

“I will see you around,” Chris says.

I nod and turn toward the stairs this time he does not follow but as I walk away I can feel eyes on my back again the feeling does not fade until I reach the science building the rest of the day passes slowly.

Everywhere I go, people seem slightly more aware of me than before two girls whisper when I enter the library, a guy in my chemistry lab looks at me like he recognizes my name the rumors are spreading and rumors at a place like Northbridge do not stay small.

By late afternoon I understand something clearly this is no longer just about Chris and Rebecca arguing people are starting to connect the dots and that means they are starting to notice me.

After my last class, I walk past the hockey rink on my way to my evening cleaning shift the team is already on the ice the stands are empty but the practice is intense.

Players crash into the boards and race across the ice Chris moves faster than everyone else he takes a pass, spins, and shoots.

The puck slams into the net Dylan skates toward him and says something I cannot hear Chris responds with a short answer and Dylan look toward the entrance toward me then he laughs.

Chris follows his gaze our eyes meet across the rink he does not look surprised to see me he looks like he expected it Dylan says something else Chris shakes his head but he keeps looking at me and suddenly, several of his teammates turn in my direction too.

One by one like they are realizing something like they are noticing a pattern the captain of the Northbridge Knights keeps watching the same girl the quiet one the invisible one.

Me and judging by the way Dylan smiles when he looks between us the team is starting to figure it out.