Two - Rumors and Revelations

Rumors and Revelations

Two weeks had passed since Abbie's first day at Portland High. She and Harmony had become fast friends, hanging out between classes and often walking to school together. The days were settling into a routine, and though Abbie still felt like an outsider, having Harmony around made everything easier. Harmony was vibrant, effortlessly friendly, and always seemed to know what to say.

But there was someone else who kept drawing Abbie's attention: Kai. She was too afraid to tell Harmony, but her casual glances had slowly turned into a quiet crush. Every day, Abbie caught herself hoping for a moment to talk to him. She had tried a few times, hanging back after class, giving him shy smiles, and even attempting small talk, but Kai always seemed distant, either not noticing her or choosing to ignore her efforts. Still, they had nearly every class together—a detail Abbie was sure was a sign, even if he hadn't noticed her yet.

Then came a moment of luck in physics class.

The room was as drab as ever, with its gray walls and dim lighting that seemed to sap the energy from anyone who walked through the door. Abbie arrived just as the bell rang, earning a pointed look from Mr. Carpenter, their teacher, who wore his usual uniform of a plaid shirt under a denim jacket. She gave him an apologetic smile and hurried to the last open seat—right next to Kai.

"Today, we're going to try something different," Mr. Carpenter announced. "You'll be working on a project with your seat partner."

Abbie's heart skipped a beat as she stole a quick glance at Kai. This was exactly the chance she'd been waiting for. She barely heard Mr. Carpenter's instructions, too absorbed in the realization that they'd actually have to talk now.

When the bell rang, Abbie caught up to Kai before he could slip out the door. "So, I was wondering when you'd like to work on the project. I'm free—"

"Thursday after school?" he interrupted, not looking up as he stuffed a book into his backpack.

"My house is still a mess—we're still moving in," she replied, slightly thrown off by his bluntness. "Could we do the project at your house?"

Kai's expression flickered with something like annoyance, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by a casual grin. "Fine." He turned and walked away without another word, leaving Abbie standing there with a smile as wide as the moon on her face. She could hardly believe it; she'd actually be going to Kai's house.

Later that evening, Abbie met Harmony at the roller rink, a popular hangout on disco nights. The place was alive with neon lights and colorful streamers hanging from the ceiling, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the rink. Abbie had opted for a pair of blue leggings and her favorite bomber jacket, while Harmony was almost glowing in bright neon clothes that matched her vibrant personality. Her curly red hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she wobbled on her skates as she tried to approach Abbie with her usual energy.

"Abbie!" Harmony called, waving wildly as she stumbled forward.

"Hey, Harmony! How's it going?" Abbie greeted, laughing as Harmony nearly toppled over.

"Good! Except I can barely keep my balance on these things," Harmony admitted, gripping Abbie's arm for support. Her bright smile quickly turned into a look of mock defeat when she stumbled again, landing flat on her backside.

"Alright, maybe let's stick to the snack bar until you're more confident," Abbie teased, helping her up.

Harmony nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. I could use a break already."

They made their way to the snack bar, where the tables were coated with a shiny layer of grease, a testament to years of fry baskets and burger trays. They slid into a booth with red vinyl seats, ordering burgers and fries from a waitress who moved to the rhythm of the music blaring from the speakers.

As they waited for their food, Abbie turned to Harmony. "So, do you know much about Kai?"

Harmony's usual bright expression faltered, her smile fading. "Yes... Why?"

Abbie hesitated, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I got assigned a project with him, and I just thought...well, I thought it'd be nice to know a bit about him."

Harmony sighed, looking down at the table. "I don't think you will like what I have to say about him."

"What do you mean?" Abbie asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Well..." Harmony glanced around, leaning closer. "There's this rumor about him. People say he was the one who burned down the gym two years ago."

Abbie felt a jolt of surprise. She'd heard whispers about the gym fire, a tragedy that everyone at school seemed to remember. The blaze had destroyed most of the building, and a gym teacher that had been trapped inside died. They'd put up a statue for him outside the school.

"But that was just a rumor, right?" Abbie asked, keeping her tone casual.

Harmony looked torn, as if she didn't want to believe it herself. "Maybe. But people say there's evidence. Whitney—you know, that blonde girl who's always hanging around with the cheerleaders? She saw him coming out of the chemistry lab right before the fire. And apparently, he'd had a big argument with the gym teacher not long before it happened."

Abbie swallowed, feeling a mix of dread and doubt. It sounded like just another high school rumor blown out of proportion. She'd heard enough of those in her life to know that most were baseless, usually spread by people looking for drama.

"I don't think he did it," Abbie replied, surprising herself with the strength in her voice. The idea that he could be responsible for something so horrible didn't sit right with her. There was something in his eyes, something vulnerable that made her doubt he was the villain people claimed he was.

"Maybe you're right," Harmony said, sounding relieved. "I don't like listening to rumors anyway. But just... be careful, okay?"

Abbie nodded, grateful for Harmony's concern, but she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement bubbling within her. Going to Kai's house felt like stepping into something unknown and thrilling, a small rebellion against her own caution.

Their food arrived, and they dove into their burgers and fries, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. Once they finished eating, they laced up their skates, and Harmony took a deep breath, her hands clutching the wall for support as they made their way to the rink.

"Alright, let's do this!" Harmony declared, though her voice trembled.

Abbie laughed, feeling a surge of confidence as she rolled effortlessly onto the rink, her movements fluid and practiced. She was a pro at skateboarding, and while roller skating was different, the balance and flow felt natural.

Harmony, however, wobbled beside her, her arms flailing as she tried to stay upright. Abbie couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to steady her friend. "Come on, you're doing great!"

The rink was a blur of neon lights and reflections, with couples and friends gliding around them, their skates flashing under the disco ball overhead. The music thumped in time with Abbie's heartbeat, and for a moment, she felt weightless, free from the worries of fitting in or finding her place.

As they circled the rink, Harmony gradually found her rhythm, and Abbie cheered her on. They spun and laughed, stopping occasionally to catch their breath by the rail. Harmony's joy was contagious, and Abbie found herself wishing for more nights like this—moments of pure fun and freedom.

When the final song of the night started playing, a slower tune that brought couples together on the rink, Harmony elbowed Abbie playfully. "Maybe next time you can bring Kai," she teased, a mischievous sparkle in her eye.

Abbie rolled her eyes, laughing. "We'll see. He might not even help me with the project."

"He'd be crazy not to," Harmony replied, giving her a knowing smile.

As they laced up their sneakers and stepped out into the cool night air, Abbie felt a warmth in her chest, a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in a long time. And though she knew Harmony's warning about Kai had merit, she couldn't help but feel drawn to the mystery surrounding him.

For now, though, she was content with the night they'd shared, the laughter echoing in her mind as she walked home, her skates slung over her shoulder.