g together, and even watching the stars on clear nights. Yet, as their bond strengthened, Jamie sensed an underlying tension that she couldn't quite place. One Friday afternoon, as th

m the soccer team. I mean, can you blame him? She's super pretty!" Jamie's mind raced. Was this what Alex had been worried about? The thought of him being with someone else felt like a punch to the gut. She tried to shake it off, but the whispers continued, wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. "Are you and Alex still together?" Mia asked, noticing Jamie's distracted expression. "I... I don't know," Jamie stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "He seemed distant lately. I'm worried." Mia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Just talk to him. Communication is key." That night, Jamie lay in bed, tossing and turning, the rumors swirling in her mind. She wanted to trust Alex, but doubts began to creep in. What if he was losing interest? What if someone else had caught his eye? The next day, Jamie decided to confront Alex. She needed clarity, and she couldn't let the rumors fester. After school, she found him sitting on a bench outside, his phone in hand. He looked up as she approached, a smile breaking through his earlier tension. "Hey! How was the gathering?" he asked, his tone light. "Not as good as I hoped," she replied, sitting down beside him. "Can we talk?" "Of course. What's up?" Jamie took a deep breath, her heart racing. "I overheard some things last night. People are saying you're talking to someone else." Alex's expression shifted instantly, a mix of surprise and concern crossing his face. "What? Who said that?" "Some girls at the gathering. They said you've been flirting with someone on the soccer team," Jamie said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm not!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening. "That's ridiculous. I've been so focused on soccer and school. You know that!" "But why didn't you tell me about th