Returning to school after the field trip felt… different.
Caesar wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because he had actually enjoyed parts of the trip. Maybe it was because Zach wasn't as unbearable anymore. Or maybe it was because he had started to feel something—something he wasn't ready to name—when Blythe smiled at him.
Whatever it was, it vanished the moment he stepped into the classroom.
"Did you hear?"
"Blythe and Zach are dating!"
Caesar froze mid-step.
He turned toward a group of girls whispering near the door.
"Seriously? Are you sure?" one of them asked.
"I mean, they spent the whole trip together, right? And they looked so close!"
"Yeah, I even saw them laughing by the lake at night! That's totally romantic!"
Caesar clenched his jaw.
What kind of nonsense…?
Shaking it off, he went to his seat, pretending not to care.
But the whispers didn't stop.
---
The Rumor Spreads
By lunchtime, everyone was talking about it.
"Blythe and Zach? That's unexpected."
"They actually look good together."
"I bet Zach confessed to her during the trip!"
"Did you see how protective he was during the obstacle course?"
Caesar stabbed his food with his fork, irritation bubbling inside him.
Across the cafeteria, Blythe and Zach sat at their usual spot—together.
Zach leaned back in his chair, talking animatedly, and Blythe burst into laughter at something he said.
Caesar scowled.
"Why do you look like you want to murder someone?" a voice said beside him.
Caesar turned to see Marco, one of his classmates, smirking as he sat down with his tray.
"I don't," Caesar muttered.
"Ohhh, I get it," Marco said, wiggling his eyebrows. "You like Blythe, don't you?"
Caesar choked on his drink.
"What?! No! That's ridiculous!"
Marco snickered. "You're acting jealous, though."
"I am not."
"Dude, you're literally glaring at them."
Caesar quickly looked away. "I just… don't like stupid rumors, that's all."
Marco grinned. "Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Caesar hated how his face felt warm.
---
Blythe's Confusion
Later that day, Blythe caught up with Caesar in the hallway.
"Hey!" she greeted cheerfully, falling into step beside him.
Caesar gave a short nod. "Hey."
She tilted her head. "Why do you sound mad?"
"I'm not."
"Then why are you avoiding eye contact?"
Caesar sighed. She was too observant.
Before he could respond, a student walked by, smirking.
"Ohhh, the couple is together again."
Blythe blinked. "Huh?"
The student chuckled. "You and Zach. Everyone's saying you two are dating."
Blythe's eyes widened. "Wait, WHAT?!"
Caesar expected her to laugh it off. Instead, she looked genuinely horrified.
"Who started that stupid rumor?!" she demanded.
"No clue," the student shrugged. "But it's everywhere now."
Caesar studied Blythe's reaction.
Was she really that against the idea of dating Zach?
For some reason… that made him feel relieved.
"Well, whatever," she huffed. "People love making up stories. Let them talk."
But Caesar wasn't convinced it would go away so easily.
And he wasn't sure why he even cared so much.
---
A Tense Encounter
Caesar didn't mean to run into Zach later that afternoon.
But as he turned the corner near the lockers, he found Zach leaning against the wall, phone in hand.
"Hey, Tiu," Zach greeted, not looking up.
Caesar frowned. "Hey."
Zach finally glanced at him, smirking. "You seem… tense. Something on your mind?"
"No."
Zach chuckled. "Oh? So you haven't heard the latest gossip about me and Blythe?"
Caesar's jaw tightened. "I've heard."
Zach raised an eyebrow. "And? What do you think?"
Caesar crossed his arms. "Why would I care?"
Zach's smirk deepened. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you've been staring daggers at me all day?"
Caesar scowled. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?" Zach leaned closer. "Look, man. I didn't start this rumor. But if I did like Blythe, what would you do about it?"
Caesar stiffened.
He wanted to say "Nothing. It's none of my business."
But the words wouldn't come out.
Instead, he turned away. "Do whatever you want."
As he walked off, he could feel Zach watching him, amusement in his gaze.
And for the first time, Caesar felt something he couldn't ignore.
Jealousy.
Real, undeniable jealousy.
---- - - - - - - - - - -
To Be Continued…