Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(29)

Just before eleven o’clock, as I start to doze off, it chirps.

Emerald22: Ok





I let out a long sigh of relief. It’s a short answer, nothing more. But she’s keeping the door open. I just need an opening to try and fix this. To try and prove to her that I’m the guy she knows through messaging and not the douchebag she thinks she knows in real life. I have to do it because as I've been lying in bed wishing for that text message to come, I've realized a truth. I'm starting to fall for this girl.





Chapter 20





Emma





I should’ve done a whole lot more yelling when he texted me last night. At least, as much yelling as can be translated through text. And I am furious at him. But when I received that text, telling me how sorry he was, it seemed genuine. It seemed like he knew he messed up and he was ashamed. Why can't he just tell me why he didn't show up?

My mind races the entire night, trying to figure him out. I scroll through hundreds of messages between us, and he never came off as shallow. Or flakey. He seems genuine. So maybe something terrible happened, that caused him not to show up. Something that, even though we shared so much with each another, he doesn't feel like he can tell me.

I debate whether or not to even keep talking to him. My first thought is to text Jen, but I know exactly what she’ll say. ‘Hell. No.’ And she’s right. Why should I give this guy, who I don’t know, a second chance? But the thing is, I do know him. At least, I feel like I do. So, responding with a simple ‘Ok’ before I go to bed, seems like the best way to go.

When I wake up, I figure if I’m going to keep talking to him, I won’t bother telling Jen and the others. Why open that can of worms? Besides, who knows how this next round of texting will go. Eventually, I might think it isn't worth it and stop altogether. Remembering how everyone reacted, I can’t stop myself from sending a text.

Emerald22: Btw, my friends hate u





I frown at the screen as it pops up. It might be a little too harsh. No. He bailed on me. He acted like I didn’t matter. The text is justified.

I finish getting ready for school but never get a reply. By the time Jen and I arrive on campus, I think maybe the text was a little too much, but there's no way I can take it back now. Debating with myself on if I should have even sent it, my phone goes off.

BigBaller27: That’s because they’re good friends :/





Ugh, why can’t he try to play it off or be smug about it? He has to try and be all understanding.

The rest of the day goes by without a message between us. I'm not exactly sure what to say. It feels like a fight, but I don't even know who he is. I don't even know if I want to keep talking to him, but something in the back of my mind says I should. I hate that part of my mind. I want to forget him. Cast him aside, delete all his text messages, and never think of him again. But, I can't. Everything we've talked about, everything we've told each other, then he just ditches me. Something doesn't add up, and I want to know what it is.

At lunch, Jen asks if he’s texted me, so I tell her he did. That he apologized profusely and said he couldn’t tell me what happened, but that he was sorry. Both her and Lana scoff at his apology and tell me not to text him anymore. I just nod.

When I get to history class, I remember about Carter and how I told him off. As I walk in, he's already sitting down. His eyes glance up to meet mine but quickly dart back to his desk. There's a tiny piece of me that wants to apologize for how I acted, but then I remember what Lana said. Who knows if the rumor's true or not, but that just proves my point.

After history, I finally start feeling more at ease. Getting to art, I walk over to my easel and pull out my giant ‘Heartbreak' piece. Mixing some acrylics, I put the base colors down and begin to add purple rain with a dark cloud. I have an idea of what I'm going for, but unlike my other two pieces, which are straightforward—even for one being an abstract piece—I'm just feeling my way through this one. Letting my emotions guide the brush.

Ms. Hales walks up behind me as I add more gray to a dark red cloud. “This is interesting. I love the background texture you’ve worked up there.”

“Thanks.” I give a half smile while my hand keeps moving.

“What inspired this piece?”

I look at her, blinking. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I was looking forward to what you were going to do with the abstract piece. You've nearly finished it, right?" I nod. "This one though … this is powerful. Do you have a name for it?"

I stare at her for a moment, unsure what to say. I know what I’m calling it, but I've only named it in my head. What would she say if I told her what it's called?

“Um, kinda.”

She eyes me carefully, then looks back at the painting. “Well, I’m very interested to see where you take it.”

That's why I like Ms. Hales. She's an artist herself, so she can sense when other artists are a little intimidated by something, and she doesn't push us. The next time she asks though, hopefully, I'll be ready to tell her the name.





Chapter 21





Carter