This is a short chapter, a bit of a filler, because the real interesting stuff is about to go down...

Chapter 12 – Rumors

The weekend passed by quickly for Hailey, she was able to juggle Aaron and Tyler equally. She even got to spend some time with Sarah and Kate, some real girl-to-girl time. She felt that she was really able to be herself around them and felt completely comfortable.

Monday rolled around and Hailey found herself walking down the halls alone, feeling very out of place. Everyone was whispering and staring at her like she had just murdered someone. She raised an eyebrow in suspicion as to what was going on and stopped at her locker.

What the hell is everyone staring at? She thought to herself.

"Hails," The voice of her male best friend tore her out of her thoughts.

"Hey Aaron, what's up?" She asked noticing that a few people stopped to see them interact.

"I just wanted to apologize a head of time…" His words trailed off as she felt a small tug on her arm. She turned around to see Tyler standing behind her, shooting daggers at Aaron.

"What is going on?" Hailey asked confused.

"You should ask your best friend about that…" Tyler remarked as Hailey shut her locker and turned to face the two of them.

"Does this have something to do with why everyone is staring and whispering about me?" She asked raising a perfectly arched eyebrow.

"Yes," Aaron nodded glaring at Tyler. "That's what I wanted to apologize for…" He stated emphasizing his words in Tyler's direction. "Someone saw us at the Steak House Friday, and that someone told Kira… and you know how she is…" Aaron stated.

"Great so now the entire student body knows that I went out to dinner with you?" She smirked shaking her head at her best friend.

"Oh it gets better," Tyler insisted looking at Aaron his thick lips pursed together in an angry scowl. "Tell her about Sydney…"

"Sydney? Sydney McAllister?" Hailey asked confused. "What does she have to do with this?"

"Well she asked me about Friday and…" Aaron started to say looking down at the ground.

"And he said in 'not so many words' that you two were together…" Tyler stated furiously shoving Aaron Abbott.

"Tyler calm down," Hailey stated putting a hand to his firm chest. "Aaron is that true?" She asked turning to the blue eyed teen.

"Yes and No…" Aaron stated looking anywhere but at Hailey.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Hailey questioned.

"I didn't confirm, nor did I deny it…" Aaron stated honestly.

"Aaron!" Now it was Hailey's turn to shove him. "We are not dating…" She stated glaring at him. "I am dating TYLER, not you…" She said it loud enough so everyone could hear.

"I knew it!" Reid's voice cut in to their conversation and Hailey's oncoming rant. "I knew there was something fishing going on with this…" Reid pointed out looking at Hailey with disgust apparent in his features.

"Reid you've got it all wrong," Hailey shook her head. "I went to dinner with Aaron as friends…" She insisted. "I even told Tyler that…"

"She did, it's cool Reid…" Tyler nodded his head and pulled Hailey back from the blonde and her sulking best friend. "C'mon lets get to class…" He stated shooting a sharp look in Aaron's direction.

"I'll be there in a second I want to talk to Aaron in private…" She stated giving him a deserved glare, and giving Tyler a sweet kiss on the cheek.

He nodded and dragged Reid with him. Hailey took hold of Aaron by the collar of his shirt and dragged him in to an empty class room, she pushed him towards a desk and the older boy looked at her shocked.

"What the hell are you trying to do Aaron?" She asked getting angry with him. She wasn't sure why she was so mad, it wasn't completely his fault, but he didn't deny it when Sydney McAllister, Kira Snider's best friend asked him about it. And that really ticked her off.

If there was one thing that Hailey was not, it was a cheater. She hated cheaters, and swore off ever doing anything like that to anyone, even if she wasn't really 'dating' them.

"I'm sorry Hailey…" Aaron stated shrugging his shoulders. "But Kira was right there and I'm tired of her harassing me and…"

"Stop," She held up her hand tired of being Aaron's answer to Kira. "I'm sick of this…" She shook her head solemnly. "Every time something is up with Kira you use me as your excuse. I'm not doing it anymore Aaron… it's pointless and now that I'm dating Tyler… I can't have you of all people feeding people these lies about us…" She pointed out.

"So now you're dating him…" Aaron scoffed his voice low.

"I have been dating him, real or fake Aaron. I don't want to come off as some sleazy girl who cheats on her boyfriend…" Hailey stuck her finger in to Aaron's chest.

The blue eyed boy sucked in a deep breath and shook his head trying to even his temper that was winding up as each word was said, "Fine," he huffed. "I'll fix this…"

"You promise me?" She asked him with a raised eyebrow.

"I swear to you…" He added.

"Thank you,"

Without another word she exited the classroom and went to her first period. She got a few stares from some of the girls and a glare from Reid who was still sure that she had cheated on his best friend with hers. She sighed and opened her book. Moments later Aaron sauntered in and took his seat next to her.

Everyone turned around to look at him and he rolled his eyes.

"For everyone's information, Sydney McAllister and Kira Snider are full of shit… ok?" He proclaimed. "Hailey and I aren't dating…" He continued.

The entire room was a buzz as a slow smile crept on to Hailey's face, everyone quieted down as the professor walked in to class. He shot a dirty glare in their direction and the class was still and silent.

After class Hailey leaned over to Aaron, "Thanks…" She whispered.

"My mess, I have to clean it up…" He stated with a lazy shrug.

"You know I appreciate it…" She smiled before getting up and meeting Tyler at the bottom of the steps.

Aaron watched his blue eyes never leaving the 'couple', things were getting too deep, he could feel it. He had to talk to Hailey about this as soon as possible; he had to make her listen to him. Maybe he did need to scrap this whole bet ordeal.

Things were getting way too weird between them and he didn't like it, not one bit.

Please remember to R&R!