Chapter 9
“You don’t have to apologize. It’s not like you did it on purpose, right? And honestly, you’re a victim too.”
Jamie tried to smile like it was no big deal, but Noah’s expression didn’t change.
“If there’s anything I can do to help,” he said quietly, “I’ll do it — whatever it takes.”
“Really, I’m fine,” Jamie replied. “Though… if you want to help me with one thing…”
“Yeah?”
“We still have another year left at this school together, right? So, to make things less awkward…”
Noah nodded slightly, waiting for her to finish. Jamie took a small breath and said carefully:
“Let’s just… not talk to each other at school. If anyone sees us together, it’ll only add fuel to the rumors.”
For a moment, Noah’s blue eyes widened, then settled again — calm, unreadable.
He looked straight into her eyes, as if trying to read her thoughts, before speaking slowly.
“Is that really what you want?”
“Yeah. What else can I do?”
“For example… if we pretended to be dating, the nasty talk would stop pretty quickly.”
Jamie couldn’t help but let out a short laugh.
“Please. Who would believe that? And anyway, there’ll just be another rumor soon enough. It’s simpler to just ignore each other until this one dies down, don’t you think?”
Noah pressed his lips together, then gave a small nod. The air between them turned awkwardly silent.
Jamie avoided his gaze, staring down at her shoes. She knew her words might sting, even if they made sense.
Just then, the class bell rang — perfect timing.
“Well, I’ll be late if I don’t go. See you.”
Jamie hurried past him and slipped out of the room before he could say anything else.
* * *
All morning, Jamie did her best to handle the situation like a pro.
When nosy classmates bombarded her with questions, she gave short, firm answers denying the rumor.
When a group of boys made sleazy comments, she glared them down and threatened to report them to the disciplinary board.
By lunchtime, the hallways were crowded with students heading to the cafeteria.
Jamie opened her locker and pulled out a sandwich she’d brought earlier. The weather was nice, and she planned to eat outside — alone.
That’s when someone slung an arm over her shoulder and leaned in close.
It was Connor.
“So, it wasn’t me after all, huh? It was Christensen? That stings,” he teased.
His face was way too close. Jamie frowned.
“Can you not?”
But Connor just grinned and kept talking.
“Why is Noah allowed near you but I’m not? Tell me the reason.”
“Wow, so you’ve gone from childhood racism to annoying flirting now? What an upgrade.”
“Hey, back in grade school, I just liked you. That was my way of getting your attention.”
“If you like someone, maybe don’t bully them? Ever think of that? Now get lost, seriously.”
She finally managed to shrug him off and marched down the hallway — only to collide hard with someone coming from the opposite direction.
“Oh my gosh, sorry! Are you okay?”
“I’m—”
Jamie looked up, and froze.
It was Meredith Sinclair, the cheer captain.
Her golden hair was perfectly styled, and her sun-kissed olive skin glowed under the hallway lights.
Last year’s captain, Lexi, had been injured in a cheer accident — and after that, Meredith had taken over.
Rumor had it that Meredith’s squad had dropped Lexi on purpose under her command, though no one ever proved it.
Meredith gave Jamie a long, evaluating look.
“You look familiar. Why can’t I place you?”
They even shared two classes, but apparently Jamie’s “nerdy” reputation made her forgettable.
“I’m Jamie. We’re in the same grade.”
“Oh, right. My bad. I’m Meredith.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly — then her tone shot up, sweet but sharp.
“Ah! You’re that girl. The one in the rumor with Noah. No wonder you looked familiar.”
Ugh. So that’s where this was going.
Jamie opened her mouth to explain, but Meredith placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a sympathetic smile.
“It must be tough. I mean, getting caught in a rumor because of one photo? Kids can be awful. They don’t dare say a thing about Noah, but they all go after you.”
The unexpected sympathy made Jamie relax a little.
“Thanks. Yeah, it’s been rough.”
“You holding up okay?”
“Not really, but… I figure once there’s a new piece of gossip, everyone will move on.”
“No, I meant — you and Noah.”
Jamie blinked.
“What about me and Noah?”
“He wasn’t your first, was he? That would be… unfortunate.”
Jamie froze. Meredith’s tone was light, but her words dripped with condescension — like she actually believed the rumor.
“That’s not true! Nothing happened between us!”
“Mhm, sure,” Meredith murmured under her breath.
“What did you just say?”
She immediately smiled again.
“Oh, I just meant… don’t let him hurt you too much.”
Jamie’s face went pale.
“What are you talking about?”
“I mean, maybe that night meant something to you, but it might not have meant the same thing to him. That’s all.”
The implication hit hard — Meredith was basically saying Noah was a player, the kind of guy who flirted and walked away without consequences.
But Jamie frowned. She had never once heard about Noah being involved with anyone. No scandals, no relationships, no exes. Nothing.
Still… it is weird he’s never had a girlfriend before. With his popularity, how’s that even possible?
She stared at Meredith, suspicious.
“Wait — are you and Noah… something? Is that why you’re telling me all this?”
Was she warning Jamie as another “victim,” or just trying to stir up trouble?
Meredith gave a calm little smile.
“I’m only telling you what I’ve seen. Cheerleaders spend a lot of time with the football team. You wouldn’t believe how the girls from other schools throw themselves at him. I was shocked — didn’t know people could be that forward.”
Jamie frowned, unsure what to say, but Meredith kept going.
“Guys talk too, you know. There’s this saying — once you’re on the football team, you’ll never run out of girls. And Noah? He’s got the looks and the family name. Need I say more? I just thought you should know.”
“Well… thanks, I guess. But there’s really nothing between me and Noah.”
“If you say so,” Meredith said, smiling faintly as she walked away.
Jamie watched her go, biting her lip.
Could that really be true?
Noah doesn’t seem like the type. But do I even know him that well?
He flirts so naturally sometimes… maybe he does that with other girls too.
Still, it was unsettling. Ever since she got tangled up with Noah, she felt like she’d become the center of unwanted attention.
Yeah. I was right to tell him we should act like strangers.
Jamie let out a long sigh and walked away.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Noah walked into the student council meeting looking exhausted.
Since the photo had leaked, he’d been bombarded with questions about whether the rumors were true.
Even now, the student council president, Monica, looked at him sharply as he entered.
“Hey, Monica.”
“Hey, Noah.”
Her tone was polite but stiff. She clearly wanted to ask about the gossip on ClassClown — the school’s infamous social account.
As a strict rule-follower, she couldn’t stand the idea of a student council member being involved in a scandal on school property.
Noah could tell what she was thinking, so he decided to speak first — before she could.
