The Rosevelt rumour mill moves fast.

I learned just how fast after Olivia dragged me into the girls bathroom before first period.  Olivia, Farah and Jade from French class corner me. They've got to be the least intimidating gang I've ever seen, all of them ranking below 5'4."

"What's going on with you and Taylor?" Olivia takes the lead in this interrogation. All three girls have their arms crossed and are attempting to coax me to speak. Kody had blown up my phone this morning with a slew of messages ranging from questions about my abrupt exit from the party to whether the rumours were true.

"Nothing." I hold up my hands, my eyes dart to the door planning my escape but as if Olivia had already planned my next step, 'reinforcements' arrive. Quinn Jack barricades the door. Quinn is really into heavy lifting and has an impressive physique to say the least. There was no way I was getting out of this without at least spilling something.

"That's not what Maya who heard from Esther, who heard from Jane's Cousin, who heard from Mark's boyfriend's sister, that she saw you and Taylor hookup last night in his conservatory."  Jade accuses.

Huh. 

"Wait! He has a conservatory too?" The fact the rumour mill not only got wind of me kissing Taylor, but  also convoluted it into a chick-lit worthy sex-capade,  is more than impressive.

"Wait so you... didn't hookup with him in a conservatory?" Olivia says genuinely confused.

"No. I thought we established that after you realised I didn't even know he had one." Olivia waves a hand dismissing Quinn, I left out a sigh of relief.

"Did you at least hookup with him?"

"You make it sound like you wanted me to." Olivia betrays her role of bad-cop by letting her facade crumble into a huge grin. 

"I wouldn't be your best friend if some part of me didn't." Since when did she consider me her best friend? I guess thinking back on it, I exclusively hung out with her and Kody. I guess I always thought she was being nice not because she liked me but because I was friends with Kody.  "I heard Oliver left upset, so something must've happened..."

I hate the little part of me that lights up after learning I made him feel something,  that is before it's quickly shrouded by a cloak of deep guilt.

But the next important question, "Since when did you keep tabs on Oliver." This time Olivia shoos both Jade and Farah out of the bathroom.

"Since he became my lab partner and started asking way too many question about you." She props herself onto the sink's surface, shimmying until she feels comfortable. "I knew you guys dated, but I didn't know he was that boyfriend, you should've told me."

I didn't think we were close enough to share things like that. "Funny that you say 'that' boyfriend, seeing as I've only had one." I shuffle from foot to foot. "That's besides the point,  just how bad is this Taylor debacle?"

Olivia sighs, pulls out her phone and shows me her twitter timeline. I forgot to mention, the Rosevelt rumour mill isn't just some unnamed collective,  they have a twitter too. I'm assuming you know who their recent tweets are about.

"Shit."

"Yeah, big shit." She locks her phone screen and slips her phone back into her handbag. "On the bright side, everybody and anybody knows you or wants to know you."

"Your point?"

"Don't you have popularity polls to win? Any press is good press, just make them love you. You can probably start by getting Taylor on your side. If you managed to kiss him, then you can sure as hell manage to make him an ally." At this moment I could kiss Olivia, why didn't I realise this?

"You're a genius!" I say hugging her, "your mind!" With that I skip out of the bathroom just as the morning bell sounds. 

Time to track down Taylor.

━★━

As it turns out, Taylor Mason is not easy to find, at all.

Every class I'm suppose to have with him, he's nowhere to be found. What I do discover though, is my newfound attention. I've caught people pointing me out to their friends, the unmistakable 'don't look back now or it'll be obvious' head turn as well as the unnatural silence that follows after I walk past a gaggle of girls. There's no mistaking the fact: everyone has heard the rumours.

I decided I'd just hang around the school quad during my free period. Not much people are around nor do they frequent this area, so it seemed like my best bet. Unfortunately, their a group of  maybe four Sophomore's who are definitely late to their next class in front of me.

Here, I have a front row seat to the dramatic retelling of what supposedly went down at Taylor's party. 

Then as it suddenly summoned by the mention of his name, like all good narcissists, the man himself makes his shocking appearance. Both simultaneously rendering the Sophomores into a fit of stutters as well as making them disperse to their respective classes.

Taylor is again wearing shorts, though this time they make more sense, day time around these parts is usually lovely, though there is the occasional heavy shower or vindictive gales. Nighttime is really when things get chilly.

Taylor holds up an apple juice box sending an arched brow my way, he keeps the orange juice for himself, greedily opening it one-handed and taking a refreshing gulf.

"Bold of you to assume I didn't want the orange juice." He looks apologetic before flashing a sheepish grin. I extend my hand, taking it anyway. I'll be damned if I gave up the opportunity to get free food.

"Can we talk?"

"That's what we're doing, Einstein." He laughs like he did last night, as though I were some show stopping comedian. He definitely had an ulterior motive. He sits beside me on the half wall kicking a loose pebble across the ground. 

"I want to apologise for last night," this is an interesting development. So he was trying to punk me and mess with my feelings. "But I meant everything I said." He gives me what I think he thinks looks like a smouldering meaningful look but actually makes him look constipated. I give him my best 'do-you-think-i'm-stupid' eyebrow raise.

"Okay, and?" Did he expect me to fall at his feet or something? This dude is seriously weird.

"Tough crowd," he jokes, his smile falters momentarily when he realises I'm not laughing along. "Look, I'm sorry for assuming you needed saving with Oliver Choi, but can we talk about... after that?"

"I'm sorry about assaulting your face, I really didn't intend to do that, at all."

"I didn't think I was that I was that physically repulsive to you." He jokes and I swatch his arm disguising my smile. It seems that Taylor Mason has a sense of humour. "You don't have to apologise about that though."

"Stop. Seriously what do want?" 

"To be friends." Now this, this I was not expecting.

"No offence man, but i'll pass. Why now? We've been in the same classes since Sophomore year and I only learned you knew my name yesterday."

"Okay one, ouch. Second of all, of course I know your name, Diego thinks you're a God. Not to mention: I think you're pretty cool too, you make me sound like I kill babies for fun!" Gotta love Gonzales, he's my number one unintentional hype man right after Kody.

"I mean you are a bit of a dick," after the words leave my mouth I want to so desperately take them back. He looks like he's been punched in the gut.

"That's not a very fair assumption." He stands up to leave and I catch his hand urging him to stay.

"I'm sorry," I seemed to have forgotten that I need Taylor. "Friends you say, if you want to be friends with me, how about you do me a tiny solid first."

He eyes me sceptically. "Like what?"

"I need to be popular." He full on guffaws, snorting and all. After he recollects himself, he realises I'm not joking.

There's a pregnant pause where we both become far too aware that I'm still holding onto his hand. I withdraw so quick that it's like I've been burned.

"Wait, you're serious!" He exclaims. I quickly fill him in on the student president situation. "So you need me to help you."

"Yes."

"And  you need me to help you." I wasn't sure whether he was expecting me to repeat what I'd asked him, but knowing  Taylor, this is definitely an inflated ego thing.

"I thought we went through this the first time?"

"I know, I know." He says breathlessly. "It's just kind of baffling, you need my help. That's the first time something like this has ever happened to me."

"Damn, do you not have friends or something."

"Shut up!" He nudges my forearm with his elbow, a goofy grin on his face. "But sure, I'll help you out. You just have to promise to let me do this my way, okay?"

"Whatever you want." Three words he's probably heard all his life.

━★━

I take a seat beside Olivia at lunch, pointedly refusing to make eye contact with Kody who's been staring me down this whole time. It's as if all my secrets will spill at at mere Kody-exposure and I'm not willing to risk that for even a second.

I pull out a pitiful yet suspiciously moist ham and cheese sandwich. Who made this? I'd much rather be eating eba and okro soup than this literal leaking sandwich. It had to have been Nwamaka, he boyfriend obviously lied to her, letting her believe she was kitchen competent.  Last time she made moi moi I swear I got food poisoning, love does crazy things huh!

I pick at the ham when Kody says. "Adanna."

I glance up furtively locking eyes with him. I urge him to continue with my stare, deciding to take a bite of this contraption. Just as I expected, Nwamaka's hand have definitely corrupted what could've been.

"Did you hookup with Taylor?" I choke on the sandwich feeling grateful than Olivia can successfully perform the Heimlich manoeuvre if necessary. Thankfully or perhaps regrettably I feel the mayonnaise coated ingredients dislodge themselves and slide down into my stomach. I die a little inside.

Kody waits.

I wait.

Olivia pretends to not notice this wonderful tension by occupying herself on her phone talking about how "she killed that fit" and such.

"What's your definition of hookup?" I give him a sheepish smile as he audibly groans and runs his hand down his face. It's clear that he isn't pleased. At times like this I hate Olivia's silence, it makes me feel even guiltier for doing something that upsets Kody. Though, I still appreciate the fact that when I tell her something in confidence, she doesn't tell anyone else, not even Kody. "Look, to my knowledge it's not like he drowns puppies. Don't act so disappointed."

"He's not a good guy, you know that, you're way too smart to be falling into his games."

Words cannot explain how offended I am by what he's said. Who is he to judge someone for getting with someone else, am I holier than thou just because I don't want to jump in Taylor Mason's pants? Who the fuck is Kody to dictate who and what I will pursue a relationship with.

'His games,' as if the possibility that Taylor could be interested was outlandish.

"Guess, I'm not as smart as you thought I was. Seriously, fuck you Kody." I stand up from the table startling both him and Olivia but secretly I know Olivia feels like a proud mom. "In fact, I'll be even stupider and date him, it's nice to know  that you think he couldn't genuinely be into me but has to be messing with me. Thanks for the confidence boost, asshole." He's gaping and grasping for words but I turn on my heel before he can find them.

Kody and I never fight, maybe this is why I'm fighting back tears and wondering if I blew everything way out of proportion. I don't know how to navigate this territory, do I apologise and suck it up so he can continue giving me a ride home after he's done with practise? When did everything get so difficult.

No, I did nothing wrong.

 I just need to breathe.

I spot Taylor at a table with Diego and the rest of their friends near the corner of the cafeteria. Taylor and I catch eyes, he raises a hand as though motioning me to join their table. I hesitate briefly, I've just left my sad sandwich at Kody's table and momentarily think of running back to retrieve it. No, no way I'm facing Kody now.

I take a deep breath before marching to Taylor's table with faux confidence.

"Oh, hey Adanna." Diego says looking up from his BLT, God, I would kill for that sandwich. I must look ravenous because he offers me his other slice which I politely decline. I take a seat between him and Taylor distracting myself with my phone. I choose to ignore the incoming texts from both Kody and Olivia.

"So," Taylor starts. "Is there a reason why Kody Johnson is staring holes into my forehead?" he's taking out another juice box from his bag.  I scan the table, there are several crushed up boxes of orange juice littered in front of him. What a mess.

"For a swimmer, you don't exactly have a nutritious diet." I hold up one of the disfigured cartons. "Seriously, do you just go around destroying and harvesting the lives of innocent juice boxes?" He shoots me a lopsided goofy smile as he tilts his head.

He pulls out another juice box handing it to me, orange juice. 

"I think you should sort out whatever it is you and Kody are fighting about." I hum an incoherent response actively avoiding looking in Kody's direction.

"You're one to talk, don't you guys hate each other?" I watch Diego pique up at my statement promptly deciding this is his cue to exit. He holds up his phone waving it and making a call gesture.

"Things aren't always so black and white." Taylor waves Diego away, "sometimes it's way more than that."

"How ominous of you, truly." Honestly Taylor Mason was know for a lot of thing, but deep philosophical discussion was not one of them. I have a feeling he's watched far too many 'School of Life' videos and has proclaimed himself a bona fide intellectual. Yet, I liked hearing him talk.

Two girls approach Taylor and I don't miss them simultaneously looking me up and down. "Tay-tay!" The blonde gushes, she has far too much pep and speaks as though caps lock was left on. I believe she's a junior, maybe Christine from Oregon, the girl who supposedly got with Braxton Myers when she was a freshman.  In case you're not quite following, he was a senior. Chris Hansen anyone?

Her friend stands behind her as though being used to living in Christine's shadow. She eyes Taylor like a puppy dog and my heart melts, how adorable. 

"Oh, Christie! What's up?" It's as though Taylor is a different person, he's party Taylor.  I think there is a party side to everyone, party Olivia is best friends with Maya, party Kody is brooding and flirtatious. I don't know if there's a party Adanna, I hope there isn't.

"It's Chelsea!" She giggles swatting his shoulder as if he hadn't just unapologetically misnamed her. "Me and Madeline wanted to know if you're coming to Kyle's today." Kyle was the quarterback of the football team and apparently hung around with juniors. Not that I had a problem with that per say but there were rumours about him Erica. Kody's sister is supposed to be a Sophomore this year but there was no sign of her.

"Nah, I've got swim practise then I'm hanging out with Ads over here." He wraps an arm around me giving me a squeeze before letting go. Since when were we hanging out? Funny, as if I don't have a school to run—Oh, I guess that's where he got the idea...

I give them a far too tight and enthusiastic smile that Madeline grimaces slightly. Chelsea doesn't hide the fact that she's annoyed and pull Madeline in tow. "Bye!" I say to Madeline. "I didn't know you and Kyle were friends."

"I can't stand the guy." He seems to think I'm looking for more of an answer so he elaborates. "He just came around with the guys a whole bunch, so I couldn't exactly kick him out." So even the mighty Taylor Mason succumbs to the need to fit in.

"Huh."

"What? What is it?"

"Nothing. Just huh." I reassure him, it's really suspicious how jumpy he's acting. Was he lying or something? What is this guy hiding? "How do you plan on helping me though?"

He gives me a sly smile. "A lady doesn't kiss and tell."

"Okay, weirdo." He nudges me playfully taking out another juice box.

At the time, despite my fight with Kody, things were bittersweet. I thought it was the preamble before I was adorned with life's metaphorical honey. 

Little did I know, there was an inescapable sour that lingered after deciding to drink from the straw, the sweet was temporary.

Like cheap apple juice.

———

Hey all, let me know what you thought of this chapter.

What happened with Kyle and Erica?

How will Kody fix things?

What are Taylor's true intentions? Is he genuine?

hope you like this and hope to hear from you soon

also 

feel free to send me any covers for this book!

This cover was made by my talented friend  jaehansss_ , thanks for the stunning cover <3

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