By Monday, the rumor had already made its rounds.
Penelope and Julian. Kissing behind the greenhouse. Holding hands at the art building. A love note in her locker. A fire drill make-out??
Teenage gossip traveled faster than wildfire—and it burned just as recklessly.
Veronica slammed her tray down at lunch.
"Okay, which snake decided to run their mouth first?" she demanded, glaring around like she had a list and was ready to cross names off it.
Penelope sighed, poking at her pasta. "Does it matter?"
Callie leaned in. "It definitely matters. Because someone's stirring the pot, and I don't think it's just for fun."
Veronica pulled out her phone and tapped the screen dramatically. "I'm creating a chart. Penelope/Julian Timeline vs. Gossip Leak Points. I will find the leak.""Can we not turn my relationship into an investigative crime scene?" Penelope muttered.
Veronica paused. "You're right. Sorry." Then added, "But also I'm not stopping."
Just then, she walked by.
Lila Harper.
Julian's ex-friend. Queen of side-eyes. Known for her ability to kill a mood with a single hair flip.
She glanced at Penelope. Smiled a little too sweetly. And said loud enough for half the cafeteria to hear, "Isn't it cute when charity projects start dating their saviors?"
Penelope froze.
Callie stood up so fast her chair screeched. "Say that again, Lila."
Lila just walked away, all hips and smugness.Veronica pulled Penelope down before she could follow. "Don't. That's what she wants. She wants to ruin this for you."
Penelope clenched her jaw, fingers curled.
She had known this wouldn't be easy.
But she didn't expect people—people she barely talked to—to start turning Julian into a joke.
This wasn't just high school drama anymore.
It was a war of loyalty.
And Penelope had just chosen her side.