CHAPTER 13
Emma had barely stepped through the door that afternoon when she heard her mom call out.
"Emma? Can we talk for a minute?"
The tone — calm but firm — made Emma's stomach sink. She kicked off her shoes and dropped her bag, then walked into the kitchen where her mom sat at the table, hands wrapped around a mug of tea.
"Sit," her mom said, nodding to the chair across from her.
Emma sat. She tried to keep her face neutral, but her heart was pounding.
"I didn't want to bring this up right after it happened," her mom began. "But I've had some time to think. And I heard things today, Emma. From other parents. From neighbors. People are talking."
Emma winced. "Mom, I swear, nothing happened. We just fell asleep watching movies. That's it."
Her mom studied her, as if trying to read the truth in her daughter's face.
"I believe you," she said finally. "But that doesn't change how it looks, Emma. People love to gossip. And once they start, it's hard to stop them."
"I know," Emma whispered.
"I just want you to be careful. About your choices. About how you let people see you. About how you protect your heart."
That last part caught Emma off guard. She blinked.
"Mom, it's not like that."
Her mom smiled sadly. "It always starts with not like that."
Emma didn't know what to say.
"Look," her mom said gently. "I'm not telling you who to be friends with. Or who to like. I'm just asking you to be smart. Okay?"
Emma nodded, swallowing hard. "Okay."
Her mom reached across the table, squeezed her hand. "I trust you. That's why I'm talking to you about this — not grounding you. But make good choices, Em."
"I will."
But as Emma escaped to her room, she couldn't help but feel the weight of it all pressing down harder.
---
Lucas's house
Lucas wasn't so lucky.
The moment he walked in the door, his mom was waiting — arms crossed, eyebrow raised.
"Lucas. We need to talk."
He groaned. "Can it wait? I've had the longest day—"
"No. It can't. Sit down."
He dropped his bag by the stairs and flopped onto the couch.
"I got a call from Mrs. Jensen," his mom said.
Lucas frowned. "Who?"
"Mrs. Jensen. From church. Apparently her daughter heard at school that you were involved in some kind of scandal with Emma. That you snuck out of her house. That the two of you — well, you can guess what she implied."
Lucas rubbed his face. "Nothing happened, Mom. I promise."
His mom's face softened. "I want to believe you. I do. But Lucas... sneaking out of a girl's house at dawn? That's not how to make people think the best of you."
"I didn't plan it that way! I fell asleep. I didn't mean to —"
"I'm sure you didn't," she said. "But it happened. And now people are talking. People who shouldn't be talking about you at all."
Lucas sighed. "What do you want me to do? I can't control them."
"No. But you can control you. Be mindful, Lucas. Be respectful — of Emma, of yourself, of the people around you. You're a good kid. Don't make choices that make people forget that."
Lucas nodded, feeling about two inches tall. "Okay."
His mom's voice softened further. "I know you like her."
Lucas froze.
"It's okay," she said, smiling a little. "Just... don't rush. Don't let the world rush you."
He nodded again, grateful when she let him escape to his room.
---
The school steps in
The next day at school, the rumors were worse. Emma felt it the second she stepped on campus — the way conversations dropped when she passed. The way people tried (and failed) to look like they weren't watching her.
It didn't help that Megan Carter — queen of the rumor mill — had apparently decided to make the situation her personal entertainment.
"Wow, Emma," Megan said loudly as they crossed paths by the lockers. "Didn't know you were so... experienced."
Emma's jaw clenched. "Shut up, Megan."
Megan smirked. "Hey, I'm just saying what everyone's thinking."
Before Emma could snap back, Mr. Hawkins — the vice principal — appeared.
"Ladies. Office. Now."
---
In the office
Lucas was already there when they arrived, looking confused and worried.
Mr. Hawkins sighed as they sat.
"I've been hearing things," he began. "Things about you two. About what may or may not have happened over the weekend. And I don't like what I'm hearing."
Lucas opened his mouth, but Mr. Hawkins held up a hand.
"I'm not here to accuse you of anything. I'm here to remind you both: your actions affect how people see you. How they see this school. I'm here to ask you to be smart. To think about the example you set."
Emma's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
"We didn't do anything wrong," Lucas said quietly.
"I believe you," Mr. Hawkins said. "But perception matters. Just keep that in mind. And as for you, Megan — spreading rumors is unacceptable. This will be your warning."
Megan scowled but said nothing.
"Alright. Back to class. Let's put this behind us."
---
Later
That afternoon, Lucas found Emma by the bike racks again.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey."
They stood there in the quiet, away from prying eyes.
"I hate this," Emma admitted.
"Me too."
"But I'm glad it's you," she added softly.
Lucas smiled. "Yeah. Me too."
They started walking, side by side, not really caring who saw anymore.
---
That evening
The texts started again after dinner.
Lucas: Do you think the rumors will die down?
Emma: Maybe. Eventually. People always move on to the next thing.
Lucas: I don't want this to mess things up.
Emma: It won't. I won't let it.
There was a pause, then:
Lucas: You're kind of amazing, you know.
Emma stared at the screen, heart thudding.
Emma: You're not so bad yourself.
---
Emma sighed heavily this was the first time someone cared for her so much, I don't want to leave this city, she thought through what her mother said to her earlier, she has to be careful, regardless she didn't want to trust Lucas but her resolve Keep breaking.
__
By the time Friday rolled around, it felt like the entire school had heard, exaggerated, and dissected Emma and Lucas's accidental sleepover at least a hundred times.
But there was no escaping it — not with the Spring Dance that night.
Emma had almost convinced herself not to go. The thought of all those eyes, all the whispers, made her stomach twist.
But Sophie wasn't having it.
"You have to come," Sophie said, planting herself firmly in Emma's room as Emma tried, half-heartedly, to plead exhaustion. "You can't let Megan win. If you skip the dance, it'll just look like you're ashamed. And you didn't do anything wrong."
Emma sighed. "It's not that simple. People will stare. They'll whisper. Megan will have a field day."
Sophie smirked. "Let her. I'll be right there. And so will Lucas. Don't you want to see him?"
Emma hesitated, cheeks warming at the thought. "Of course I do. But—"
"No buts. Come on, let's pick out a dress."
---
The gym transformed
That night, the school gym looked almost magical. Twinkle lights crisscrossed overhead, casting everything in a soft glow. Colored lanterns swayed gently as people moved past. A makeshift stage held the DJ, already blasting music that thumped through the floor.
Emma entered with Sophie, clutching the strap of her small bag like it was a lifeline. She felt every eye that turned their way, but Sophie linked arms with her, holding her head high.
"Don't even look at them," Sophie whispered. "You look amazing."
Emma forced a smile. "So do you."
And then she spotted him.
Lucas stood near the drink table, dressed in simple black slacks and a button-up shirt that made him look... well, unfairly good. When his gaze found hers, his face lit up in a smile that melted away her nerves.
He walked over, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Hey."
"Hey," Emma echoed, suddenly feeling shy.
Sophie gave her a gentle nudge. "I'm gonna go say hi to Mia. You two have fun."
Emma and Lucas stood there for a beat, both unsure of what to say.
"You look... wow," Lucas said finally.
Emma smiled, heart beating faster. "Thanks. So do you."
The DJ switched to a slower song. Lucas glanced toward the dance floor, then back at Emma.
"Want to... dance?"
She hesitated, nerves battling excitement, but then nodded. "Okay."
---
A dance to remember
Out on the floor, surrounded by swaying couples and flickering lights, the noise seemed to fade. Lucas gently placed his hands on her waist; Emma rested hers on his shoulders.
They moved, slow and uncertain at first, then settling into a rhythm that felt as natural as breathing.
"Sorry if I'm bad at this," Lucas murmured.
Emma laughed softly. "Same."
They danced in comfortable silence for a while, just looking at each other, the world shrinking down to that moment.
---
Megan's interruption
Of course, Megan couldn't resist.
She swept past them, her voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Careful, Emma. Don't let him fall asleep on you again."
A few students snickered.
Emma froze, cheeks burning.
Lucas's jaw clenched.
But instead of snapping, Emma smiled sweetly. "Thanks for the tip, Megan. But I'm pretty sure you're the boring one."
Gasps and laughter followed Megan as she stalked off, fuming.
Lucas grinned at Emma. "That was awesome."
Emma shrugged, a little proud. "I'm tired of her."
"Me too."
---
Heart-to-heart
They left the dance floor after the song ended, slipping out toward the bleachers where it was quieter.
They sat, watching the lights flicker over the crowd.
"I'm glad you're here," Lucas said.
"I almost didn't come."
"I know."
They were quiet for a moment.
"I hate all this drama," Emma admitted. "I just wanted everything to feel normal again."
Lucas nodded. "Me too. But I think... I think this is our normal now. At least for a while."
Emma sighed. "I wish it wasn't."
"Me too," he said softly. "But I don't regret it. Being with you. Even if people talk."
Her heart stuttered. "Lucas..."
"I like you, Emma. I've liked you for a long time."
She swallowed, warmth spreading through her chest. "I like you too."
They stared at each other, the weight of unspoken feelings settling between them.
---
The moment
The music shifted to another slow song.
Lucas stood, held out his hand. "One more dance?"
Emma took it without hesitation this time.
They moved together again, closer now, the space between them charged with something new.
Lucas brushed a strand of hair from her face. His hand lingered, cupping her cheek.
"Can I—"
Emma nodded, breathless.
And then he kissed her. Soft, tentative at first, but real. And right.
When they pulled back, they were both smiling, a little dazed.
"About time," Sophie called from across the gym, making them both laugh.
---
After the dance
As the night wound down, they stepped outside together. The cool air hit them, crisp and refreshing.
"Do you think people will talk even more now?" Emma asked.
Lucas shrugged, still holding her hand. "Probably. But I don't care anymore."
Emma smiled, leaning into him. "Me neither."
The stars glimmered above them as they stood together, feeling like maybe, just maybe, they could handle whatever came next.
---
The texts that night
Emma lay in bed later, staring at the ceiling, her heart still fluttering. Her phone buzzed.
Lucas: Best dance ever.
Emma: Agreed.
Lucas: Sleep well. And I promise not to fall asleep at your house again.
Emma: No promises on my end.
Lucas: Deal.