The next few days at university felt like walking through a maze of whispers and glances. Amara could feel the stares of her fellow students, the way their eyes flickered toward her whenever she passed. It wasn't just the typical curiosity from new faces; it was more intense, more... judgmental. She didn't need to hear the hushed conversations to know what was being said about her. The photo had made its rounds, and she had become the rumor girl.
Her inbox was filled with messages, some supportive, others full of questions she didn't want to answer. Nia, of course, had already been buzzing with excitement. But for Amara, it felt like she was walking around with a huge target on her back.
During class, she felt the weight of the attention, the way eyes lingered on her whenever Kieran's name was mentioned. And then, there were the girls—grouped in little huddles, giggling, whispering, and occasionally shooting her knowing glances. It made her stomach churn. She didn't ask for any of this. All she wanted was to go unnoticed, to blend in and focus on her studies. But now, it felt like everything had changed.
Amara just wanted to escape it all. So, on a whim, she decided to apply for a part-time job in the photography club. It wasn't like she was passionate about photography—it was more about having a way to disappear into a new environment, somewhere she could just focus on something else and forget the rumors.
She sent her resume with a simple note explaining her interest in the club, not expecting much. After all, the last thing she wanted was to stand out any more than she already had. But to her surprise, she received a reply almost immediately.
"Dear Amara, we're excited to have you! Your application has been accepted. Please stop by the club meeting on Tuesday at 4:00 PM. We look forward to meeting you! — Head of the Photography Club."
Amara stared at the email, unsure whether to feel relieved or even more nervous. She was hesitant at first but decided she might as well give it a shot. It was an opportunity to focus on something other than the chaos that had taken over her life.
Tuesday arrived, and Amara found herself standing outside the photography club room, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure why she was so anxious. Maybe it was the fact that she was stepping into a new world—one that didn't involve whispers about Kieran Hale.
When she opened the door, the first thing that struck her was the chatter. The room was filled with students discussing photography, sharing tips, and talking about upcoming projects. Everyone was in their own little world, but the moment Amara stepped inside, the conversation seemed to slow down. Heads turned, eyes shifted toward her.
"Oh, so this is the rumor girl?" one of the members whispered loudly enough for Amara to hear. She froze, instantly regretting her decision.
The club's head, a tall, energetic senior named Max, noticed her standing awkwardly by the door. He walked over, smiling warmly.
"You must be Amara!" Max said, his voice full of excitement. "It's great to meet you! We've heard a lot about you around here."
Amara felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She wasn't sure if he meant the rumors or if he was just being polite. "Uh, yeah... that's me," she muttered, unsure of what else to say.
Max didn't seem to mind the awkwardness. He clapped her on the shoulder. "Don't worry about what people are saying. We're happy to have you on board. The club's a great place to get away from all the noise. Trust me, you'll fit right in."
Just as she was about to respond, she heard a voice behind her.
"Max, is this the new member?"
Amara turned around, startled to find Kieran standing by the door, looking casual as ever. But for some reason, seeing him in this setting made her stomach twist. What was he doing here?
She froze, unable to hide the shock on her face. Kieran was part of the photography club? It made sense, in a way—he was talented and had a passion for capturing moments. But the fact that he was here made everything feel... complicated.
Max, apparently oblivious to the awkwardness, gestured to Amara. "This is Amara! She just joined the club."
Kieran nodded, his expression unreadable. "Nice to meet you," he said in his usual calm tone, though Amara could feel the weight of his gaze on her.
Amara was unsure how to respond. Did he even remember what happened? Did he think she was just another girl trying to get his attention? She wanted to leave right then and there.
But she didn't.
Max continued chatting enthusiastically, explaining some of the club's activities, while Amara tried to blend into the background. The more she stood there, the more uncomfortable she became. How was she supposed to work in a space where Kieran Hale was present? How was she supposed to escape the rumors if he kept popping up everywhere she went?
After a few minutes, she could no longer stand it. "I'm sorry, I don't think I'll stay," Amara said quickly, already backing toward the door.
Max looked puzzled. "Wait, are you sure? I thought you were interested in joining—"
"I... I just need some time," Amara stammered, not knowing how else to explain. "I didn't expect..."
Before she could finish, she turned and practically ran out of the room, the whispers of the club members following her out the door.
Amara found herself walking aimlessly through campus, her thoughts a whirlwind. She didn't know what she expected when she joined the club. She certainly didn't expect to see Kieran there. She didn't expect him to be so... present in her life. And now, she didn't even know what to do with the fact that everything she did seemed to somehow revolve around him.
The rumors were following her, and Kieran's presence only made it worse. She couldn't outrun them. She couldn't outrun him.
As she walked, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Nia.
"Amara, you left the club meeting so suddenly! What happened? Did you see Kieran? I bet he's so impressed with you! Everyone is talking about it!"
Amara stared at the screen, feeling the weight of Nia's excitement pressing down on her. She couldn't even answer. What could she say?
She was just... tired of being the rumor girl.