Chapter 114 - The gossip begins

When we pull into the school parking lot, I instantly feel a pit form in my stomach. Nathan drives in like it’s any other day, but I already know what’s coming. The moment he parks and steps out of the car, I can feel the eyes on us, like a spotlight I never asked for.

Nathan walks around to my side of the car, casually opening the door for me. He’s so relaxed, so unconcerned, and for a split second, I wish I could be like him—completely unfazed. But the second I step out, the whispering starts. It’s subtle at first, a few curious glances, a few people looking and then turning to their friends. But soon, it’s obvious. The whispers turn into full-on staring. I catch the not-so-subtle looks, the way people nudge each other and nod in our direction.

I can hear them. I can hear everything.

“Isn’t that Celeste? With Nathan?”

“What is she doing with him?”

“Didn’t she use to hang out with Tamrin and Sadie?”

“Look who’s trying to make a sta