Scandal

Lily paced in the quiet corner near the steps, her heart racing in her chest. 

Her mind was filled with fear and worry, replaying the image of Lexa’s smug face after she’d caught her and Alex kissing. 

She turned, seeing Alex standing nearby, watching her with confusion and concern.

“Lily, what’s wrong?” Alex asked, stepping closer. His tone was gentle, but she could hear the underlying confusion. “Why are you so worried about Lexa? It’s just a picture.”

Lily bit her lip, trying to calm herself, but she couldn’t shake the fear gnawing at her. 

She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. 

“Alex… you don’t understand. Lexa’s not just going to let this go. She’ll… she’ll tell everyone. She’ll tell Liam and Lucas.” The thought of it alone made her stomach churn.

He tilted his head, still looking puzzled. 

“So? I don’t see why that’s such a big deal. We’re friends, aren’t we? And besides…” He reached for her hand, his fingers brushing hers softly. “I’m not ashamed of what happened between us.”

Lily pulled her hand back, though her heart ached to stay connected to him. 

“Alex, you don’t get it,” she whispered, her voice thick with tension. “It’s… complicated.”

Alex studied her, his expression shifting as he tried to piece things together. 

“Why, though? Why does it matter if people know?”

She froze, searching his face and weighing her options. 

The truth was, she couldn’t tell him the full reason. She couldn’t explain that her role as the Luna held a standard, a set of rules she was bound to, and that her place came with an expectation of decorum and duty. 

A public romance—or even the hint of a scandal—would jeopardize everything.

“Alex, just trust me,” she said, forcing a small smile and trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s just… it’s a long story.”

His eyes narrowed, sensing that there was more she wasn’t saying, but he nodded. 

“Alright,” he replied, still hesitant. “But if you need me, I’m here. Don’t try to deal with all of this on your own.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. 

The look on his face, the genuine concern and care he had for her, made her chest tighten with longing. But the stakes were too high. 

With one last glance at him, she turned and walked away, her heart heavy with the weight of secrets left unspoken.

As she made her way down the hall toward her classroom, Lily’s mind swirled with panic. What if Lexa had already told people? 

She dreaded the thought of her private life becoming gossip. She’d barely held onto her composure since the kiss, and now everything felt like it was slipping out of her control.

When she reached her classroom, she saw Maya waiting near the window, scrolling through her phone. 

Maya looked up, immediately noticing the strain on Lily’s face.

“Hey, what happened?” Maya asked, putting her phone down and studying Lily with concern.

Lily sighed, her voice trembling. 

“I… Lexa caught me and Alex kissing.” She bit her lip, her hands fidgeting nervously. “And now, I think she’s going to tell everyone.”

Maya’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself, putting a reassuring hand on Lily’s shoulder. 

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” she said gently. “Lexa may be petty, but she doesn’t have that much power over you.”

Lily shook her head. 

“You don’t understand. If this gets out… it’s not just a rumor or gossip. I can’t let people know. I can’t let Liam or Lucas find out.”

Maya’s brow furrowed as she took in Lily’s panicked expression. 

“Okay, I get it. This means a lot more to you than just some silly kiss,” she said thoughtfully, squeezing her friend’s hand. “But remember, no one has the right to make you feel like this. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

Lily nodded, taking a shaky breath as Maya’s words soothed her. 

“You’re right,” she whispered, though the fear still lingered. “But Lexa… she’s determined. I don’t know what she’s planning, but I know it’s going to be bad.”

Maya pulled her into a quick hug. 

“Listen, you’ve dealt with worse than her. She’s just one more obstacle in your path, and you’ve already proven you’re stronger than that.” She smiled, offering Lily a comforting look. “Just take it one step at a time. Whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”

A small sense of relief washed over Lily, and she managed a grateful smile. 

“Thank you, Maya. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

They stood together in silence for a moment, allowing the tension to ease. But then, suddenly, a buzzing sound filled the room as the other students’ phones began to vibrate almost simultaneously. 

The noise grew louder, as everyone seemed to reach for their devices, confused by the sudden influx of notifications.

Lily and Maya exchanged a worried glance, each of them feeling the rising tension. 

Maya was the first to check her phone, her expression shifting as her eyes scanned the screen. 

She took in a sharp breath, her face paling as she looked up at Lily.

“Oh no…”

Lily’s heart dropped. Slowly, as if bracing herself for the worst, she pulled out her own phone, her hands trembling as she unlocked the screen. 

And there it was, staring back at her—a photo of her and Alex, locked in a kiss, captured in the exact moment that had felt so private and pure.

Her breath caught, her mind going numb as she took in the image that was now in everyone’s hands. 

There was no mistaking it; Lexa had spread the photo, sending it to the entire school.

“Oh my god,” Lily whispered, her voice barely audible as a wave of shock and disbelief washed over her. 

She could feel the eyes of the other students glancing her way, whispers beginning to fill the room as people noticed the photo and started piecing together what they were seeing.

“Lily…” Maya’s voice was filled with worry, her hand reaching for Lily’s in a gesture of comfort. “I’m so sorry. This… this is horrible.”

Lily couldn’t respond. Her mind was spinning, heart racing as she imagined what everyone must be thinking, what they’d say to each other, the rumors and assumptions that would begin to circulate. 

And worst of all, she could only imagine what Liam and Lucas would do when they found out.