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Rumors & Whispers

Penulis: Sophie Kingston
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-05 22:54:51

Ava’s POV

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual morning energy, trays clattering, the air thick with the smell of coffee and powdered eggs. But beneath the noise, there was something else—an undercurrent I couldn’t quite ignore.

Whispers. Glances. The kind that lingered a second too long before darting away when I looked up.

I stirred my coffee more than necessary, watching the swirl of cream dissolve, trying to pretend I didn’t notice. But it was impossible. Every time I lifted my eyes, someone was watching me. Not directly, not boldly, but in those sidelong looks people use when they think they’re being subtle.

It had started the moment I walked in. Two girls from my journalism class had exchanged smirks before ducking their heads together, voices hushed. A group of guys near the vending machines chuckled, their laughter trailing as my name floated between them like a spark waiting to catch fire.

I forced myself to keep eating, back straight, chin high. If I pretended not to hear
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