Chapter 10: Rumor Has It
"Hey, did you hear?"
"What?"
"Apparently, Thalia was kissing someone on the rooftop yesterday. But, shhh."
"No way!"
"And guess who it was?"
"Adam Atkinson? No? Ooh, I know, Kyle Smith!"
"No, you're not even close."
"Tell me then! Please."
"Promise to not tell anybody else?"
"I cross my heart and swear to die."
"It was Takeshi Kaito."
". . . WHAAAT?!"
It's been over a week since our master plan failed quite miserably. To be exact, November 2. All of us tried to convince our classmates, but they would only laugh at us for believing in something mere children would. We even sneaked in our powers once. However, they would just come up with some logical explanation like a leak in the school pipes or a jammed heater.
All of our classmates thought we were joking about the Guardians.
Every single time, they would ask if this was some kind of grand prank or riddle. I can't believe how stupid some of the students at my high school are. Believing in Santa and the Easter Bunny is not for only children! Teenagers can believe too. You just need to believe. That's all they need to keep them from disappearing. We should just steal everybody's devices and see how they survive on a Wi-Fi free life. Everyone has officially given up except for Hunter. He is just too damn stubborn to stop and realize it's not working. If we brought Dad, they wouldn't even be able to see him! The same goes for the rest of the Guardian crew. It was hopeless.
Maybe Takeshi knew this was going to happen. Speaking of him, we're actually friends now. Not close friends, just on the borderline of strangers and friends. Of course, he didn't open quite easily to me. After my rooftop confrontation, Takeshi indirectly admitted that he accidentally blurted out the almost killing his classmate part. I still don't know how he attempted to murder. I don't want to break our already fragile friendship.
From the corner of my eye, I observed Izumi approach me.
"Hello Thalia! You looked so thoughtful a moment ago," she beamed.
I laughed. "Yeah. Just thinking about stuff."
Izumi curiously asked, "What kind of stuff?"
"Stuff," I shrugged my shoulders.
She pouted and huffed, "You're no fun!"
"Would you rather me talk all happy about random stuff like you?"
"On a second thought, I wouldn't want you to," she suddenly grinned out of the blue, "did you hear the rumor about you?"
"Okay. Now, you're just trying to get my attention, Izumi," I said, not believing a single word.
Izumi glared at me and argued, "I'm being 100% serious this time! Anyways, did you hear it?"
"Nope. Even if I did, I doubt it would be true. There's nothing interesting about me to start a silly rumor."
"So... Is it true that you kissed my lil' bro on the rooftop last week or not?"
"What the hell, Izumi?!"
"I said, is it true that you kissed Takeshi Kaito-"
"I know what you said! Do I look deaf?"
"But, you said what the hell..."
Gripping my dark brown hair in frustration, I quietly seethed, "Why would someone start a rumor like that? What. The. Frick. We just talked. That's it."
I wouldn't want to start a big scene. Begrudgingly, I restrained myself from screaming colorful language to the entire school. Resist the temptation to yell at everybody now... I'm going to kill whoever started this crap! Prepare to die, whoever you are! You have decided to screw with the wrong chick, you bastard/bitch. From one to ten to determine how pissed off I am, I'd say a fifty-two. This isn't funny.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Izumi reasoned, "it's just a rumor."
"Just a rumor my ass," I spat out while tightening my fists, "what if my parents find out?"
"Hey, you're almost seventeen, Thalia. I think they wouldn't be so surprised. Just introduce Takeshi to your parents and I'm sure everything will work ou-"
"Damn it, do you believe in that disgusting rumor too?! I can't believe you."
Takeshi tapped me on the shoulder lightly. "Thalia, can we talk in the hallway?"
I nodded and walked outside with him.
Some people snickered and giggled at our leaving. Mind your own business people and don't just jump to conclusions. Ever since my encounter with Izumi, people have been constantly asking about my relationship with Takeshi. Even some had the nerve to tease me! I was sick and tired of this wretched rumor. High school drama nowadays.
He questioned with a straight face, "Care to explain why everybody thinks we are secretly dating...?"
"It's because someone saw us at the rooftop," I answered angrily, "and started this crappy rumor."
"Why would they think that? We were just talking," Takeshi frowned, confusion etched on his porcelain face.
"Believe me, Takeshi, I wish I knew," I sighed.
He scratched his hair and muttered quietly, "Maybe someone saw me corner you against a wall and assumed we were... Making out..."
My mouth dropped open in realization.
I agreed soundly, "Yeah. With your arms trapping me, anybody from behind would have thought we were kissing... Or you were attempting to take advantage of me..."
Takeshi glared and crossly responded, "I would never do such a thing! I may be a monster, but not a rapist."
I laughed as he protested, "They are completely different. I still do not understand how this rumor spread so quickly."
"Rumors are like wildfire. I guess," I unsurely replied, twisting a brown lock of hair in my fingers.
"Or the fact that my twin siblings are popular," he added thoughtfully.
I groaned as I remembered a certain annoying someone. "My brother is also known around school for having a rebellious and clever reputation."
Takeshi sighed.
"The rumor is perfect then. Siblings of popular students dating? The whole school would want to know," I explained.
"What should we do then?"
"Deny, deny, deny," I automatically answered.
He raised an eyebrow. "That's the best solution you have?"
"Unless you have a better idea," I countered, feeling somewhat offended.
"Actually," he pondered, "I do."
I asked in disbelief, "You do? That fast? Wow, are you one of those silent geniuses?"
"I already thought of it before talking with you," Takeshi continued, "this may sound like the stupidest plan ever."
"As long as it destroys this rumor from the core, I'm happy to hear it no matter how stupid it is," I state, watching him curiously.
"Let's say you and I actually make this rumor come true. We start dating. Not for real, of course. Just to fool everybody. Then, we break up. Not sure when but we just do. Don't worry, we will still be friends. Unless you don't want to," he coughed, "that way our 'breakup' will be fresh on their minds and they will forget about the said rumor."
"You are a genius, Takeshi!"
"There is one major flaw in this plan," he admitted.
"What is it?"
"I have never had a girlfriend."
"So what? I've never dated before either," I reassured him.
"That makes it even worse," he looked displeased, "we have no experience on dating. What if the others can tell we're faking it?"
"That won't happen on my watch," I said, undeterred by the fact that another plan might fail.
"There's also PDA as well..." He trailed off.
I smiled. "It's okay. We'll just hold hands, try to hug romantically, walk around school together - I will physically drag you if necessary - and I'll even let you kiss my cheek when times are desperate! It will be a piece of cake. Don't worry."
"You do not make it sound that easy, Thalia," the teen dully commented.
"Oh, we'll have to come up with overly cliche nicknames for each other too! Hmm, what should I call you...? Blue? Nah, too obvious. Gray eyes? No, sounds off. Keshi? Sounds like Kesha and you do not act like her at all. Tak? Hey, that name actually sounds decent. Sort of."
"Something tells me you are having a bit too much fun with this," Takeshi mumbled.
"How does Tak sound to you?"
"... Sounds weird."
"Yeah, you're right. Takeshi really does suit you more."
A/N: OMG I GOT LIKE 4 REVIEWS! :D This calls for a celebration! LOL, I truly am hopeless. Thank you for all the reviews! It's like an early Christmas for me. :) Is it strange that I listen to a French rock song every day and have no clue what the lyrics mean? Haha, anyways, please drop a review! :)
