I'm proved right within an hour.
Teachers I thought were friends won't meet my eyes. Scatter when I pass. There's so much space between me and everyone else, and it's so heavy it hurts. Every interaction is loaded. Inescapable. The kids, at least, are their happy selves. When there's an issue, it's so small, so fixable, I'm nostalgic for the time when my problems were easy.
This? Nothing about this is easy. I try to convince myself they're just being nosy, typical small-town nonsense, destined to blow over.
Until I find out what they're saying.
I'm packing up for the day, frayed, raw, exhausted. Ready for the bell to ring, desperate to get out of the building and into Grey's truck where it's safe.
I almost made it, too.
Cass looks like a war maiden as she flies into the library, and I know whatever she's about to say is bad. Really bad.
It's worse.
"You should sit," she says, furious but not at me.
"Your class--"
"Shelia has them. Sit."
Slowly, I do, my hands numb. I fold them in my lap.
She starts to pace. "There's a rumor. It's bad, Molly. Grey's on his way. The principal wants to see you."
Now my hands are numbandtrembling. I haven't checked my phone in the last couple hours, trying to keep myself busy. She's so upset, I'm terrified of what she's going to say.
"Tell me." My voice is stronger than I expect.
She meets my eyes, draws a breath, steels herself and tethers me to her with her gaze to hold me steady. "They're saying you and Grey had sex here. In the library."
My lunch charges up my throat, black spots dancing in my vision at the shock. "What?What?"
"I know. It's vicious. You'd never. I know neither of you wouldever. You have too much respect for each other and this place, the kids. It's so completely ridiculous, unfounded--"
"Humiliating," I add, my gaze dropping, eyes focused on nothing. "Why would anyone say that? Who would do this?" Tears prick my eyes, sting my nose. "Why?"
"Because they're bored and jealous and judgmental. It's low though, even for the worst of them. It feels, I don't know. Intentional. But I don't know who would--Oh, Molly." She kneels next to me, wrapping her arms around me while I cry.
"This is s-such b-bullshit," I blubber. "It's so unf-fair."
"So fucking unfair," she says quietly.
A fresh thought snaps my spine straight and my face open. "Am I…am I about to get fired?"
"No! No. I'm sure Christine just wants to talk to y'all about it, make sure you're aware. Without proof, I think you're fine. No body, no crime. There are cameras in every room in the building."
I shake my head for a second while Cass gets me a tissue. "It won't matter, will it? Not to them. I don't think they care if it's true or not."
Her brow is furrowed, her eyes sharp with concern. "No," she says dryly. "No, I don't think they do. But you and Grey don't have to worry about your jobs."
"It's just the rest of the town we have to worry about."
Cass lets out an angry sigh. "It's almost spring break. Maybe if y'all lay low, it'll die down by the time we're back. Maybe Christine can send an email, at least get the teachers in check. I hate this, Molly. I'm so sorry."
I nod at the balled-up tissue in my hands. "I hate it too. He's been through so much, Cass. Don't they want him to be happy? Doesn't he deserve that?"
"Deep down, I think they do. But a fresh scandal sends them straight into a frothing, lizard brained mob." She takes my hands, snotty tissue and all, ducking down to catch my eye. "Today is almost over. Grey will be here any second. Talk to Christine and then go home and put your phone on Do Not Disturb except for me and Grey, because I'm special."
