HER NAME IN WHISPERS
By Monday morning, Elliana could feel it before she heard it.
The stares.
The lowered voices.
The way conversations stopped when she walked past.
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and kept her head high as she entered the school hallway, but every step felt heavier than the last.
"That's her."
"The Chief's daughter."
"I heard she was at the races."
The whispers slithered through the air, sharp and unforgiving.
Samantha caught up to her near the lockers, eyes wide. "Ellie, people won't stop talking."
Elliana forced a smile. "They'll get bored."
But she wasn't sure she believed it.
At lunch, she spotted Austen Charles for the first time in days. He sat at his usual table, clean-cut and composed, surrounded by friends who laughed a little too loudly. Everything about him screamed safe. Predictable. Perfect.
His eyes met hers across the cafeteria.
He stood.
Elliana's stomach tightened as he walked toward her, confidence easy in his stride.
"Can we talk?" he asked gently.
Samantha raised her eyebrows and slipped away without a word.
Austen led Elliana outside, away from the noise. "I know things have been… weird," he said. "People are saying things they shouldn't."
She shrugged. "That's high school."
"I don't believe the rumors," he continued quickly. "About you."
Elliana looked at him then, really looked. He was kind. Thoughtful. Everything her father would approve of.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Austen hesitated, then took a breath. "Elliana, I've liked you for a long time."
Her heart sank.
"I didn't want to say anything before," he went on, "but I don't want to miss my chance."
She swallowed hard. "Austen—"
"I'm not like those guys you've been around lately," he said, his voice tightening just a little. "I'd never put you in danger."
There it was.
"I know," she said carefully. "And I appreciate you. I really do."
But she couldn't lie.
"I don't feel the same way."
The words hung between them.
Austen nodded slowly, masking his disappointment too well. "Is it because of him?"
Elliana didn't answer.
That was enough.
His jaw clenched, something dark flickering behind his eyes before it vanished. "Just… be careful," he said. "Some people ruin everything they touch."
As he walked away, Elliana felt a chill she couldn't explain.
Later that evening, she found a message waiting on her phone.
Leon: I heard they're talking about you.
Her fingers trembled.
Elliana: Let them talk.
Leon: I won't let them hurt you.
Elliana stared at the words, torn between fear and comfort.
Her name was already being whispered.
And soon, it would be shouted.