Rumors Don't Lie... Right?

The cafeteria was louder than Ivy expected.

Trys slammed against tables, students laughed too loudly, and gossip spread faster than wildfire through the crowded room. The moment Ivy stepped inside, conversations lowered into whispers.

She ignored them.

Again.

Keeping her hood up, she walked towards the farthest corner of the cafeteria with a coffee and a sandwich she probably wouldn't eat.

People stared openly.

Some curious.

Some cautions.

Others looked almost disappointed, like they expected her to punch someone already.

Ivy sat down alone and pulled out her phone, pretending not to notice.

But years of surviving taught her one thing-

People always talked louder when they thought you couldn't hear them.

"That's her?"

"She doesn't look scary."

"My cousin went to her school. Apparently, she made girls cry for fun."

"No, I heard she threw a chair at a teacher."

Ivy took a slow sip of coffee.

Idiots.

Across the cafeteria, Adrian Cole leaned back in his chair while his friends argued over basketball practice. But unlike them, Adrian wasn't paying attention to the conversation.

His eyes kept drifting towards Ivy.

Mason noticed immediately.

"You've been staring at the new girl since morning," he said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

Adrian looked away casually. "Have I?"

"Yes," Mason deadpanned. "It's creepy."

A girl sitting nearby sighed dreamily. "Maybe he just thinks she's pretty."

"She threatened Chloe in less than five minutes."

Another girl whispered. "That's terrifying."

Mason smirked slightly. "Honesty? impressive."

Adrian stayed quiet.

Because none of them understood.

None of them remembered the small girl sitting alone in the corner of an orphanage years ago,

holding a broken storybook with bruised hands.

None of them remembered the girl who stood between them and the three older boys, despite being terrified herself.

But he did.

Every detail.

Even after all these years.

As if sensing his stare, Ivy suddenly looked up.

Their eyes met across the cafeteria.

Adrian didn't look away.

Ivy frowned instantly.

"What was wrong with this guy?" she thought.

Before she could think further, someone slammed both hands on her table.

Chloe Bennett.

Of course.

The blonde girl crossed her arms while three of her friends stood behind her like backup dancers.

"You think embarrassing me this morning was funny?" Chloe snapped.

Ivy looked back down at her phone. "You're blocking my sunlight."

The girls behind Chloe gasped dramatically.

Chloe's face reddened. "Listen carefully. Adrian doesn't associate with people like you."

Ivy sighed tiredly. "Violent girls with a trashy reputation."

For a moment, the cafeteria became strangely quiet.

Everyone was listening now.

Ivy slowly put her phone down.

The dangerous thing about her wasn't anger.

It was how calm she became when hurt.

"You done?" she asked softly.

Chloe laughed sarcastically. "Aw, did I hit a nerve?"

Ivy stood up slowly.

Even Chloe looked nervous for a second.

"I don't care about your little school drama," Ivy said quietly. "So if your entire personality revolves around a guy who barely notices you, that sounds like your problem. Not mine.

A few students choked trying not to laugh.

Chloe looked humiliated.

"You-"

"Chloe."

Adrian's voice cut through the tension instantly.

The entire cafeteria turned silent.

He walked towards them calmly, hands inside his pockets.

Chloe immediately changed expressions.

"Adrian, I was just-"

"You're causing a scene," he interrupted.

Her face fell.

"But she insulted me!"