Chapter 4: The Fall from Grace

Soon, our story spread. I was filled with joy, thinking we’d get everyone’s blessing, but unexpectedly, we became the target of classmates’ malice.

At first, I thought people would be happy for us. But jealousy can turn even friends into strangers. Whispered rumors grew like weeds.

It happened after gym class, when we went to the cafeteria together.

We were both sweaty and out of breath, joking about the game. I didn’t see the group of classmates watching us as we sat down.

I quietly told her, “Babe, just now while playing basketball, something happened…”

She was mid-sip of her soda, eyes wide with curiosity.

She looked puzzled.

She leaned in, lips quirking at the edges. "What’s up?"

“What happened?”

She set her drink down, waiting for the punchline.

I scratched my head and blurted out:

“I ripped my pants.”

Her jaw dropped. I tried to keep a straight face, but the embarrassment was too much.

She was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

Her laughter drew stares from nearby tables, but I didn’t care. Her happiness was contagious.

I told her to stop, saying, “Let’s eat first, I don’t want you to go hungry. I’ll find a seat, you get the food today.”

It was my lame attempt to distract from my wardrobe malfunction. She grinned and agreed.

As always, she agreed cheerfully.

She made a face, tossed me a wink, and got in line. I tried to look casual, pulling my hoodie down to hide the rip.

But such a small thing—

Became the day’s biggest drama. High school is a fishbowl, and everyone’s always watching.

Spread through the class, everyone knew.

By the end of lunch, half the school had heard about my pants. It was all anyone talked about.

“He’s not a real man, making a girl stand in line for food while he just sits and waits…”

The rumor mill spun up quickly. Someone snapped a photo, and soon I was the butt of every joke.

“Did you hear? That guy in our class is such a jerk, always bullying Natalie, making her copy his homework and wash his lunchbox…”

The stories grew wilder with each retelling. I heard my name in every hallway, followed by laughter.

“Let me tell you, I heard that guy grew up in a single-parent family, has a weird temper…”

People started inventing backstories, turning my life into a cautionary tale.

“I looked into it, his dad was a deadbeat, abandoned the family, started a new one somewhere else…”

Even the teachers seemed to listen in. I saw them whispering, glancing my way. The gossip took on a life of its own.

“I also heard, back in middle school, he tried to get with a girl, tried to do something, the girl refused, so he slapped her, then transferred to our school…”

That one hurt most. It wasn’t true, but truth doesn’t matter when a story is juicy enough.

Rumors of all kinds, each more twisted than the last, spread far and wide.

By the end of the week, I felt like a pariah. Even people I’d never talked to avoided my gaze.

Naturally, I became everyone’s target.

Some days, I wanted to scream. Other days, I just hid out in the library, counting the minutes until the final bell.

I still remember, once while walking with Natalie on the school path, we ran into a few classmates.

It was after last period, the sun warm on our backs. I thought we could just blend in, be two normal teens.

They didn’t bother hiding their contempt, saying with a sneer, “Seriously, Natalie, what are you doing with that loser?”

The words landed like punches. Natalie squeezed my hand, but didn’t say anything. Neither did I. Silence felt like surrender, but I couldn’t find the right words.

Even now, years later, that line still stings me.

It echoes on bad days, a reminder that some wounds never really heal.

Many teachers believed the rumors and held a grudge against me.

Suddenly, I was getting called out for things I didn’t do—tardy slips, missing assignments, the works. I knew it wasn’t fair, but arguing only made it worse.

My pride made me unwilling to defend myself.

I bit my tongue, holding onto whatever dignity I had left. I figured if I kept my head down, maybe it would blow over.

From then on, I withdrew from people, like smoke drifting into the clouds.

I became a shadow in my own life, drifting from class to class, barely speaking.

That was when my rival made his move, openly bringing Natalie breakfast, escorting her back to the dorm, without the slightest hesitation.

He’d show up with fancy coffee, offer her rides, even give her flowers. Everyone acted like it was the most romantic thing ever.

He boldly tried to take her away.

He made no secret of it. I saw the way he looked at her, the way he tried to insert himself into every part of her day.

Natalie wasn’t good at turning down kindness.

She smiled politely, always trying to keep the peace. She never wanted to hurt anyone.

His pursuit grew more intense, and he gained the support of teachers and classmates alike.

Soon, people started pairing their names together in group projects, in yearbook captions, everywhere.

Just like that, he naturally became the one always by her side.

He filled the gaps I left behind, and it felt like the world approved.

Thinking of all this, and the situation now, tears nearly welled in my eyes.

Sometimes, I’d have to duck into the restroom between classes, just to get myself together. I hated that I cared so much.