Then came Bianchi.
She entered like a perfume ad. Controlled breeze. Perfect stride.
Her eyes locked on mine.
Smirked.
I didn't blink.
Then she walked past my desk.
"You sure move on fast."
I tilted my head.
"And you sure assume fast. That must be exhausting."
She smiled. Didn't reply. Walked off like she just dropped a grenade.
Cute try.
By lunch, the rumors had evolved.
Apparently, I was dating someone from another school. A college guy. Tall. Mysterious. Allegedly has a motorcycle and a tattoo.
Just wow. Where do they get this stuff?
"'Rielle Del Rio spotted with non-SAA guy'—okay," I said as Errol showed me a blurry photo.
"Nice try. It's blurry and not even me."
"People are wild," Jodie sighed.
"Maybe I have a clone," I said.
"At least they're not pairing you with Mr. Ice President today," Mico added.
Yeah right. A few days ago all the gossip was about me and KD.
Like, hello? We're not even talking on campus.
And—speak of the devil.
KD entered the cafeteria. Sharp. Polished. Empty. He scanned the room. His eyes paused at our table.
Then they exited the cafeteria, walking down the hallway. I went back to poking my fries.
But even if he didn't come near me, I could still feel his energy.
Static in the air. Always there.
"Hey, Rielle," Mico leaned in. "There's chaos over the raffle."
"What raffle? Raffle of flings?"
"The one for your date. There's even a Google Sheet."
"Want me to paste the spreadsheet on your face?"
Jodie snorted. "At least now, you and Pres aren't today's main gossip."
"Rumors," I scoffed. "Coming from where, exactly?"
Then—boom. The mic crackled.
"Good afternoon, Supreme Allievo..." Errol's voice.
"Miss Rielle Del Rio is officially off the market. Word is, she might be bringing a mystery date to the ball."
WHAT THE ACTUAL—
BOOM. CHAOS.
Silence. Then screaming.
I wanted to dig a hole and live in it.
Jodie laughed.
"Everyday. Excellence is a habit."
But even while I pretended to be chill, I looked toward the hallway.
KD.
He paused when Errol spoke.
Then—he smiled.
Small. Barely there. But I saw it. Everyone saw it.
"OMG, Pres smiled!"
"Maybe he is the mystery guy!"
I stood up.
"I'm done. I need fresh air. And less testosterone."
"You okay?" Jodie asked.
"Nope. But I'm beautiful. That's enough."
On my way out, I passed a group of Glossy Gossipers.
They glared at me like I stole their boyfriends.
YOU ARE READING
STRINGS BETWEEN US
Teen Fiction"A slow-burn teen romance threaded with secrets, rivalries, and a dangerous past neither of them remembers-until it comes for them." ✧ STRINGS BETWEEN US ✧ She left her crown behind. He ruled with silence. But some strings pull-no matter how far you...
CHAPTER TWELVE: OF INTERCOM SCANDALS, HOODIE RETREATS,
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