The sun is shining, but the energy? Was tense Word spreads like wildfire across the school halls. Whispers. Side-eyes. Destiny walks through the court yard, head held high, but her chest feels tight, she was encouraged to walk through it like a boss by her best friend.
"Did you hear? Destiny and Mr. Brent?caught after hours."
"No way. She's too smart for that, right?"
Destiny clutches her books tighter, refusing to let them see her crack, Kyle was walking right beside her holding her hands , he was going to be with her through this he didn't care what anyone thought.
The pictures are obviously Ai generated, the video had been shared and she was sure the whole school had heard the news.
She wasn't scared, she was just angry, she knew she didn't do anything wrong, so why should she be in hiding when the real culprit was out there watching the drama unfold.
That was probably their plan to see her scurry and hid in a little hole, old destiny would have done that . But she was anxious if this fake news got to the school board, they would have her summoned and her parents would probably have to come as well,
She had to find the culprit and try to stop the sharing of the video before it was too late, Kyle said he would help.
****
Jason leaning against his locker, arms crossed, eyes dark with frustration. His friends are talking, but he's not listening. He's watching her. Only her as she walked the hallway with him
"No way Destiny would mess with Mr Brent right?" He asked himself
He had an idea of who did it,
idea? He was damn sure he knew the master mind behind it, he didn't care if destiny was guilty or not, she was a sweet girl and it hurt him seeing her become the center of a rumor, he would find who did this, and some way make this work for his advantage,
— what seemed like a disaster for her would be an opening for him.
****
Mr Brent is at the front of the class, his usual smirk replaced with a storm brewing behind his eyes. He catches Destiny's gaze, just for a second. There's tension electric and dangerous, she wondered if he'd seen or heard the rumors, he probably had, he was one of the coolest teachers so some one might have told him already.
How did this affect him, he could loose his job at any moment all the more reason to find the culprit as fast as possible, she didn't want an innocent man to be tagged a pedophile, people are quick to judge
"Alright, class. Settle down. Whatever rumors you've heard… let's remember they're just that. Rumors."
The class chuckles nervously, but Destiny feels her cheeks burn, and her heart beat increasing what was this feeling she looked down.
Sigh I guess he knows
Jason, sitting two rows behind her, watches the silent exchange and his jaw tightens.
*****
"I know what we could do"?
"What?"
"There's an house party later today wanna come"?
She looked at Kyle like he had lost his mind,
"What?"
" it's more like a status thing, if we go together it will show that we are still so in love, I mean the whole point of this public disgrace was for us to split up, showing them we don't care would only make, the culprit react, once they do something stupid boom we catch them".
"I don't know Kyle, going to a party? It seems like a terrible idea, it's a Thursday and I honestly just want to catch who ever this fucker is and clear my name that's all I care about".
Aww.
What? She asked annoyed.
"Your first scandal? Don't worry you'll get used to it."
That's the problem, I don't and I refuse to get used to this, all this drama it's suffocating, it's too much for me, it' always a new thing every week, she burst out.
"Trust me, once we get to this party I'll have some guys ask questions around there's got to be a source someone definitely started the sharing of the picture, it might not seem like it at the moment but my idea is really good."
****
"I'm gonna be sleeping over at Kyle's house we have a group project together. I lied to the caller at the other end of the line..
It wasn't entirely a lie, this situation was a project we needed to finish
My hair was in a slick backed ponytail, I had on a dark purple over sized Tee and a mini skirt, I'd seen the combo awhile back on TikTok and it looked good on the girl,
— I honestly didn't like this at all, but what could I do, once Kyle had set his mind on something there no going back, atleast he was just as concerned as I was,
I sprayed the perfume in the air and walked into it,
a knock came from the door,
It was nice of the workers here to prepare one of the guest rooms for me, on Kyle's orders actually,
'Coming'
I half opened the door and Kyle was standing there dressed in all black,
He smelt nice, the scent made him more bolder than he actually was.
"Are you ready?" He asks smiling at me,
Hmm hmm,I nod "oh wait"
I rushed to go get my phone.
"Okay now I'm ready".
He held my hands the moment he opened the door for me,
His hands on mine was reassuring, it felt good. We just walked in, the place was a little packed,
-— and I swear the moment we entered all eyes where on me, I twitched, but he boldly held my hand stronger, I looked up at him and he smiled,
The murmuring continued, and the glaring stars only grew worst as we walked further,
It was like everyone stopped what they had been doing just to stare at me,
They'd whisper and glance my way with disgust,
"Is that really her?"
Yes.
Oh I see she's collecting them like infinity stones huh, it was bad enough she got Kyle now Mr brent too?
I heard a group talk,
We enter red a room and a few familiar faces where there, some guys from Kyle's modeling I was a little familar with,
Everyone was high on something, typical house party antics
By this time I had a fizzy soda in my left hand that Kyle got me as he stood next to me the entire time never letting go of my hand.
A girl walked up to us,
" can you two, stop sulking and come play a game with us?" she smiled cheekily, she was cute but I'd never seen her before.
I'm good I refused.
'Hey, I know it sucks shit that everyone is like being a bitch to you, but wether you did or not, I think you're really badass'
—she says and was about to leave
Wait, what game are you playing? I asked curious
She smiled broadly, looking right into my eyes
"Truth or Dare".