Chapter 11: The Talk around Town

"Can you believe Scarlett is dating that man?" Mrs. Meade questioned as she and Mrs. Meriwether talked on a street corner. "I can't believe her family allows it," what a disgrace it was.

"Neither can I. What are her parents thinking?" Mrs. Meriwether hissed as she did everything, but hid the fact that they were talking about the two teens. "If I was that child's mother I would sit her down and tell her how it was going to be." No child of hers ever did such a thing.

"I would like to know the answer to that." Mrs. Mead could feel her cell phone buzzing in her pocket. Taking it out she saw that it was a text from her husband. He would be home later than normal. There was an unexpected surgery planned. Texting him back she stuck the phone back in her pocket. Before she could answer the second question a tall thin woman with red hair walked up to them. "Hello Mrs. Tarlton,"

"Hello ladies." She smiled at the two. "I overheard you two talking about Rhett and Scarlett. I do agree with you on this matter." The lady shook her head with disappointment. "You know Scarlett was going after one of my dear boys before that black sheep walked into the picture."

"Well she's much better off with a sweet, kind, gentle, carrying man. I knew Scarlett went from guy to guy, but I've never in all my years heard of such a scandal." Mrs. Meriwether shoved her hands into her jean pockets.

"I heard that Scarlett is just putting up this front because Ashley told her he didn't love her like she was hoping he would." Mrs. Tarlton raised an eyebrow as she glanced at both of the ladies. "After he turned her down Scarlett went after Rhett. She always has to have someone at the end of the hook."

"Oh really?" Mrs. Mead huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Just wait until Rhett hears about this."

"He already has. He broke up with her just a few weeks ago because of it and then took her back a day later." Mrs. Tarlton leaned in as if she was telling something only those ladies could hear. "Took her back. I wouldn't of if I was him, but then again he isn't of our kind." The other two ladies agreed with a sharp nod of their heads.

"I saw them at the barbeque the other day. Mr. O'Hara confronted Rhett about such matters and told him to stay away, but Rhett refused to listen. Scarlett ran off and Rhett followed after her."

"I would be shipping that girl off to some all girls' school over in Charleston or possibly up North somewhere. I know they be Yankee's but maybe they could teach her a thing or two." Mrs. Meriwether had heard enough. She was going to try to get to the bottom of this.

A few other ladies approached the three gossiping crows. "If you be talking about those two teens I done heard India Wilkes said that Scarlett was just dating Rhett because she couldn't fine no one better." All of the ladies that were now congregating around the corner looked at this young lady. "I also heard that the two had gotten a little too friendly with one another already as well. I also heard that-" the lady whispered the last part in fear that it would get out, but it was already far too late.

"NO!" all the ladies yelled in shock. They all knew things had gone on between them, but not that. Surly Scarlett couldn't have been that? It wasn't lady like at all and to think she was just sixteen years old.

Before long the lie got bigger and bigger and soon it spread like wild fire. Soon every tongue had that poison spreading around. Everyone was like ants they came and went with the story of the day possibly the whole week.

…..

"I'm getting tired are we almost done for today?" Scarlett wined as she laid her head down on a small table at which she, Melanie and India resided around. She wanted to go see Rhett. She hadn't see him in a few days and missed him so.

"No, Scarlett! We only just started five minutes ago." India yelled at her as she threw her English book at her.

"Oh," Scarlett wined as she took the book and opened it up to where they were reading from.

"Guys! Guys!" Lacy bellowed as her feet could be heard running down the hall.

"In here!" Melanie yelled.

Lacy came racing into the room. Her breath was caught in her lungs as she did her best to breathe in and out. "What is it? You look as if you just ran a 5K." India acknowledged as all three girls faced Lacy who was now standing in the doorway panting for air.

"Have you guys gotten any text in the past five minutes?" Lacy questioned.

"No, not that I know of," Scarlett answered as her hands glided across her screen. Nope, just her background of her and Rhett.

Lacy bit her lip. "Well I have." She looked from her phone to the girls.

"And?" India asked with her eyebrows raised.

Lacy sucked in air and looked down and began reading. "Miss. Scarlett O'Hara as been fraternizing with the devilish Rhett Butler,"

"Your point is?" Scarlett asked as she cut Lacy off. What was going on? They had been an item for a while now and people were just now noticing?

Lacy still looked down at her phone and read on as if Scarlett had never interrupted her. "It has been confirmed that more than just a sweet romance has been going on between the two. They will be welcoming a little one in late May."

"WHAT!?" Scarlett screamed as she stood up and took Lacey's phone. She glared at the text as her breath came fast and deep. The words looked at her mockingly.

"Well Scarlett, look at it this way you can be on now that show Sixteen and Pregnant." India laughed. This was too good to be true.

"I'm not pregnant!" Scarlett screamed at the top of her lungs. Where in the world had this bogus text come from? "Where did you get this text message?"

"I don't know all it says is some number and that it was sent to 55 people and counting." Lacy answered as she took back her phone. Scarlett just sank back to her knees and wrapped her arms around her middle.

Katie Scarlett!" her parents were at her door within moments. Did they have some kind of super hearing or something?

"Girls we need to have a talk with Scarlett. If you would please excuse us?" Ellen asked.

"Sure Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara," Melanie answered. Collecting their books they headed out the door. But before leaving they all gave Scarlett pity looks. As soon as they heard the front door shut Gerald and Ellen confronted their daughter.

"What is this I hear about you carrying a baby?" Gerald yelled in his deep Irish accent. "And by that monster."

"Dad he isn't a monster and I'm-" Scarlett answered as her eyes snapped up towards her parents.

"Scarlett, we gave you permission to come as you pleased. To stay out late, to hang out with your friends whenever you wanted, and this is how you repay us?" Ellen was very disappointed in her daughter. She thought her and Gerald raised her better than that. "I didn't listen when everyone said that Rhett was the kind of person people talked about, but now I can see why they mean that." Scarlett opened her mouth to protest but her mother went on. "I told your father at the barbeque when he got all mad and hot headed that we were your age once and that we should give you your space, but you took advantage of that space and of that freedom."

Scarlett couldn't take it any longer. Hearing all this talk just made her mad. "I'm not pregnant."

"From what Mrs. Meade and Mrs. Meriwether said you are." Gerald answered.

"You are going to believe them over me?" Scarlett questioned. How could they?

Ellen looked at her young daughter. This had obviously been too much, but who could she trust? Scarlett had taken advantage of all of those things she had mentioned."I don't know who to believe."

"Me! You are supposed to believe me." Scarlett cried. "Your daughter," She was now lost within her world. Lies were being spread about her all around Atlanta. Her two sisters had heard what was going on and stepped into the room. They were all against her. Her sisters looked up from their phones with wide eyes and worried expressions.

"So we get to be aunts at 15 and 13?" Suellen questioned as she looked from her parents to her sisters with a small smirk on her face. "Cool. But I don't really care for the idea of Rhett being the dad." Turning swiftly towards the door Scarlett ran from the room, pushing her sisters out of the way and ran down the stairs.

"Katie Scarlett, Katie Scarlett." Gerald yelled after his teenage daughter. However, the only thing that answered him back was the slamming of the front door.

Realizing she didn't have her car keys Scarlett began running down the side walk. Her legs ran as fast as they could carry her. Her lungs began to feel as if they were on fire. Her hair blew in the wind as her vision became blurred. She soon couldn't see much in front of her. She could hear people yelling her name as she ran past them. Was it to tell her to stop running? No, they were yelling at her because of the text messages they had all received. She was no slut, no hoer and she certainly wasn't about ready to be a mother. What kind of awful world was this?

As she barreled down the busy streets of Atlanta she failed to realize someone was in front of her. Smacking right into them Scarlett looked up quickly and apologize when she saw who it was. "Oh, Rhett," she wrapped her arms around him and cried into his chest.

"What's going on? Scarlett? Are you alright?" He hadn't yet heard of the text that had been sent.

Scarlett lifted her head off of Rhett's soaked shirt. "Haven't you heard?" Rhett shook his head. "A text has been going around saying that I'm pregnant with your child." She let a sob escape her lips before going on. "Pa and mom said that they heard it from Mrs. Meade and Mrs. Meriwether." Scarlett's hands shook as they rested against Rhett's chest. "The worst part of the matter is my parents don't believe me when I told them I wasn't. They would rather believe those two crows then believe their own daughter." By this point Scarlett couldn't keep strong anymore. More tears fell and sobs escaped her lips. Her hands and body shook more now then what they did before. Bigger, saltier tears fell from her dark green eyes.

Rhett wrapped his arms around Scarlett and held her close. Running his hands through her hair he rocked her back and forth. People came and went and gave him dirty looks while passing. "The nerve of some people," Rhett thought to himself as he shot them all a cold look back. Scarlett could still hear the whispers of scandal as he held her close. "Shh, it's alright. Why don't you just tell them all to go to the devil?" He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his handkerchief. "Dry your eyes. Tears aren't becoming to you at all."

Scarlett lifted her head from his chest and tried to control herself. "Wouldn't I just love to tell them all that," she took the handkerchief and dried her eyes. "Thank you,"

His hands remained on her arms as he looked down at her. She had been wounded and by everyone she loved along with everyone around and no one seemed to really care. And they said southerners had southern hospitality. They had everything, but that. "Can you smile for me?" Scarlett cast her eyes downward. How could she in a time like this? Rhett tucked his index finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. She forced a smile to her lips. It was hard to do such a thing at this time, but she did it for him. "That's my girl." He kissed the top of her head and drew her into a tight hug. "We are getting out of here."

Scarlett pulled back and looked up at him. "Where are we going?" every place they went people would be talking and looking.

"My place," Scarlett just stood there with eyebrows raised. If people were talking about them this way then what would people say when they saw her go into his place? "Not like that, we need to talk this out. Figure something out." Scarlett nodded her head. Getting on the bike Scarlett placed the helmet on her head. Well at least this way no one could see it was her. She was safe for now. As the wind whipped by her Scarlett tried to focus on what had just taken place. How could she get her parent to believe her and not those old hens? Surly they would talk to Melanie and the girls and they would back her up. Well at least two out of the three would.

"Here we are," Rhett answered as he turned off the bike. Scarlett shook her head and turned towards the building. Scarlett's mouth dropped. The apartment complex was beautiful. Four story colonial home. Dark red bricks lay around the perimeter of the estate. Big square windows were on each floor; with dark blue shutters. Towards the top of the house sat six white raised windows with the tips of each point pointing towards the blue sky. The apartment sat on 23 W Wesley Road, Northwest of Atlanta. Rhett chuckled when he saw the expression on Scarlett's face. "Come on, if you think this is amazing wait till you see the inside." Scarlett got off the bike and placed the helmet on the back. Taking her hand Rhett led her to a small black iron gate, down a small stone path and by a stone fountain. As Rhett dug for his keys Scarlett took in her surroundings. He was in a nice area. Nice homes all around and not too far from the city. Hearing the white glass door open Scarlett turned towards it.

Opening the door for her she stepped inside. "I'm on the top floor." Rhett shut the front door and headed over to the elevator.

"You don't want to walk up Mr. Butler?" Scarlett asked teasingly.

"No," he answered as he pressed the top floor button. The doors shut and they were off.

"How long have you been staying here?" Scarlett asked as she watched the numbers tick by.

"Six months or so," Rhett answered as he played with the key that rested in his hand. A few seconds later the elevator stopped and they exited the space. Walking down a short hall lined with red carpet they soon stopped in front of a door.

The door opened with a whoosh noise. Scarlett stepped forward and stepped into a fantasy like apartment. Scarlett gasped at seeing such a sight. The room was huge! The room was in a long square. Dark wood lined the floor. Wood was also the ceiling as well. A lighter brick was the base of the walls, along with a hint of wood accent at the top and bottom. Long skinny light fixtures hung from the wood, setting off just enough light. A brick fire place sat to the right of the room. A big gold and yellow area rug sat in the middle of the room. It had been imported from China. White leather furniture sat on the big area rug and right in front of the fire place. A big 72 inch TV sat just above the fire place and with it a DVR player and a surround system. To the left of the sitting area was the kitchen. A little island sat in the middle with stainless steel appliances. A whine wrack had been built within the cabinets. A plate and bowl wrack was to the right of the big stove and beyond that was the fridge. Just beyond the sitting area and small kitchen was a table and two chairs.

Scarlett was amazed that she failed to realize that Rhett had put his arms around her. "Come on I'll show you the rest." He gave her a peck on the cheek.

"The rest?"

"Yes, you didn't think this was it did you?" Rhett asked as he took her hand and led her along. Well she really didn't know. Beyond that room was a smaller room. Cream colored carpet was wall to wall. More dark oak liked the room. Two couches and an overstuffed chair took up some of the space. To the right of it sat a desk. That must have been where Rhett did his business. Another big flat screen TV lined the south wall. A book shelf was lined at the other end. "This is the study. I do most of my work in here."

"Rhett, how big is your place?" Scarlett asked as she tore her gaze away from the lovely room.

"The whole floor,"

"The whole floor?" Scarlett screamed as she stared at him.

"Why Fiddle-Dee-Dee you seem surprised."

"I am," and she truly was. Who owned a whole floor? Yes her family was rich and all, and yes they had a nice home, but it was nothing like this. Taking her hand he lead her down a narrow white hall which was supported by pillars. A lovely design was etched into the flooring. A little over halfway down the hall they stopped. To the right was a closed door. "This is the first bedroom." As the door opened warm sunlight welcomed them. Romastone Sterling Stone Finish Luxury Vinyl Tile lined the flooring. Cream colored walls with cream colored drapes. A black sofa sat in the middle of the room. A small silver chandelier hung from the ceiling. To the left was an open door. Walking through the room they arrived to the big bed room. Scarlet colored walls welcomed them as the sent of cinnamon lingered in the air. A dark oak four poster bed sat in the middle of the room with a yellow comforter and a few over sized pillows. To the right stood two double wide doors.

"That's the closet and the other one is the big bathroom." Rhett pointed to them.

"Can I?" Scarlett pointed towards the closet.

"Sure," Rhett shrugged his shoulders. Scarlet and her clothes.

Heading over to the double wide doors she placed her hands onto the cool, gold doorknob. Opening it a light came on. Gasping she about fell to her knees. The closet was almost as big as the room its self. Had three sets of shelves, big long racks for clothes and a place for shoes. "Oh my," She wanted that closet.

"And just pasted the gold vanity is a small terrace." Rhett's voice came moments later. Scarlett was still fixated on the closet. Rhett laughed "I still have to show you the rest of the house," Scarlett didn't budge from the closet. Rhett went over to her and put his arms around her tiny waist and tried pulling her away, but she didn't move. "Come on Scarlett," she still didn't move. He had no other choice. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"Rhett, put me down." Scarlett demanded as he led her from the room. He carried her down the hall and passed a table and chairs. "Please," she was missing everything. He put her down and she slugged him in the shoulder.

"This is the second sitting room and beyond that door there." Rhett pointed to the right of the sitting room. "Is the bathroom," Taking her hand he led her to the last room. "And this is the master bedroom." He opened it with his free hand.

"What do you call the other one then?" Scarlett asked with a laugh as he led her inside. As if she didn't know.

"The guest bedroom," Rhett answered not laughing. The master bedroom was two times bigger than the other one. Wall to wall soft lushes carpet. Two big grand pillars led to the king size bed. A blue satin comforter lay against the big thick mattress. Sapphire blue pillows added a great accent to it. Two grand closets sat right next to each other just to the west of the room. An antique table separated the two. Two six draw dressers leaned up against another wall. While two pieces of future, a love seat and a small chair sat in the middle of the room. A flat screen TV was attached to the east wall, a grand bookshelf surrounded the TV. A few pictures here and there and a big window seat lay tucked away against the big windows. Big floor length curtains sealed the mystery in and kept the business of the world out.

"Wow," Scarlett answered breathlessly. "Do you have a maid and butler as well?" she asked looking over her shoulder at him.

"No, but that is next on my list."

"How can you afford all this?" Scarlett questioned. This had to be so expensive and not to mention the up keep of it all.

"I have my ways." Rhett answered with a devilish look on his face.

"Oh, I'm sure you do." Scarlett thought as she tried not to think about such matters.

"Why don't we go discuss this matter that seems to have everyone in an up roar?" Rhett took her hand and led her back down to the kitchen.

"I don't understand how people can look at us and think such bad things." Scarlett responded as she looked into her cup of hot chocolate. Why just a few mere months ago things were fine. Scarlett was the belle of the ball, the southern belle everyone wanted to be. Now look at her. Instead of people wanting to be like her they avoided her and gossiped about her. "I haven't done anything. We haven't done anything." By now her gaze was on Rhett who sat across from her in that little sitting area down in the main area.

Which Scarlett knew it was probably killing Rhett, but that was something she just wasn't ready for yet. Everyone thought that she had done it by now and everyone thought her somewhat of a slut for that, but in all honesty she hadn't and she was proud of that. However, if she ever revealed that she hadn't then her reputation would be out the window. Just like it was right then.

"Scarlett, you know why people treat us the way they do?" Rhett asked as his hands were wrapped around the hot coffee mug. Scarlett shook her head. "Because they are jealous," Scarlett just looked at him with raised eyebrows and doubtful look upon her face.

"Like they would really be jealous of us," Scarlett laughed weakly.

"But just think about it. They could very well be. We are so much alike that people can't take it and maybe that's how they see things."

"Yeah, I don't think so." Scarlett took a sip of her drink. "They are talking because of who I am and where I come from and they don't think I should be with a person who isn't received very well. You don't have the best reputation you know."

"I never thought of that." Rhett had a hard look in his eyes and on his face. But Scarlett could tell that he had been thinking that. He heard the rumors fly. He heard the talk that went back and forth. He knew why people talked about him and Scarlett.

"Rhett, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just stating why people think what they think." She reached across the table and rested her hand on his. "I for one don't care what they say," she flashed a smile his way. "However, sometimes it does get a little out of hand and I do break down in tears. I'm not heartless you know. But apparently everyone thinks I am. I'm only human and Rhett so are you." Scarlett finished off the last drop of her drink and got up and placed it in the stainless steel sink. Placing her hands against the sink she looked down into it. Was this the right thing to do? Could they be happy with people watching them, breathing down their necks? Could they go on with people looking at them as if they were common criminals? Shutting her eyes Scarlett bit her lip and kept the thoughts and sobs away.

Rhett looked at her from where he sat. She hadn't moved since she walked over there. He knew something more was troubling her. Getting up from his seat he walked up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he pulled her near her. Burring his face into her hair he tried to get her to talk to him. For some strange reason she just shut herself off. "What's wrong? There is something you aren't telling me."

"No-no there isn't." she quickly shut her eyes again. Her body began to shake as the sobs came quickly. The tears began to fall and the what if's began to set in. Her hands flew to her face as they left the sink quickly. Rhett could feel her body shaking as he held her close. He quickly turned her around and made her face him.

"There is something that you aren't telling me. What is it?" Rhett demanded. Scarlett just let the sadness overwhelm her. "You've got to tell me."

Scarlett took her hands away from her face to reveal red, puffy tear stained eyes. "What if we can't do this? What if this wasn't how things were supposed to be? What if everyone is right? What if we are just living in a fake world?" Scarlett was starting to freak herself out as she let her emotions and imagination get the best of her.

"That's not going to happen and you know why?" Rhett was bound and determined to get through to Scarlett. "Because we are alike, our tempers; are ways of thinking and so many other things that make us drawn towards each other." Rhett knew Scarlett well and he knew she wasn't about to let all this trash talk get in the way of their happiness. It didn't matter how much they fought or how many people talked about them .They would still be together at the end of the day. That was something they each had to remember. "As for the whole pregnancy thing well we know it's not true and that's all that pretty much matters." However, he also knew that they had to make her family understand that as well. "Let them talk, let them spread it around. Who cares what they think. It only matters what we think and what we know." He wiped her eyes with the edge of this thumb. "Promise me you won't cry over something like this again?"

Scarlett smiled weakly, but she knew in the end that they could get through this. "I promise."

"That's my pet." He pulled her into a passionate and long overdue kiss. As the kiss continued they knew that nothing would ever come between them, but how wrong they would end up being. Something dark, something sinister would try to rip at the very heart of their relationship and at the very heart of their happiness.

A/N: Hello everyone! So what do you think? Will Scarlett and Rhett's relationship survive? And what about this darkness I speak about? You will find out soon enough. Review please:)