The week after the festival had started like any other. Classes, sketches, and quiet glances exchanged between Anaya and Kian. But high school life had a way of turning even small moments into a whirlwind of drama.
Anaya was at her locker, carefully putting her sketchbook inside, when she overheard a few classmates whispering nearby.
"Did you see Kian with that girl?" one said. "They looked… close."
"Yeah, I think he's already into her," another added with a smirk.
Anaya froze. Her chest tightened. What if they're right? What if I misread things? What if he… Her thoughts spun, her imagination running faster than reality.
Across the hall, Kian was walking toward the library when Veer called out to him. "Dude, people are talking. Looks like your little 'mystery artist' crush is making waves."
Kian frowned. "What do you mean?"
Veer shrugged. "Rumors. They're saying you're… seeing her, or already like her. Careful, man."
Kian shook his head. "I haven't… nothing happened yet. I just… like her art."
Back at her locker, Anaya tried to steady her breath. She couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and panic. Her mind raced with scenarios she didn't want to imagine—others noticing Kian's interest, everyone talking, her art suddenly under scrutiny.
Later that day, she avoided the art room entirely, feeling flustered. She wasn't ignoring Kian, she told herself—it was just… complicated. She didn't want to face everyone's gossip, and she didn't want to misread his intentions.
Kian, meanwhile, noticed her absence. He waited near the art room after class, hoping to find her, but she didn't appear. His chest tightened with worry. Did I do something wrong? Did she think I was… bragging or teasing?
Finally, they ran into each other at the courtyard after school. Anaya's heart skipped when she saw him, but she hesitated, unsure how to approach him.
"Kian…" she began softly.
He looked relieved. "Hey, Anaya. I was looking for you. Are you avoiding me?"
Anaya shook her head quickly. "N-no! I… I just… I didn't want to… you know…" Her voice faltered.
Kian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "It's okay. I think I know. Rumors?"
She nodded, feeling a weight lift slightly just from him understanding. "Yeah… I just… I don't want to be the center of gossip."
Kian smiled gently. "You won't be. I'm not interested in what anyone else says. I like you, Anaya. Not your art, not the rumors—you."
Anaya's chest swelled with relief. "Really?"
"Really," he said firmly, holding her gaze. "We don't need anyone else to understand… just us."
The tension melted away, replaced by a quiet, shared understanding. Small misunderstandings could come, but what mattered was honesty—and courage to speak it.