Chapter Seven: The Rumor Girl
The afternoon sun slanted through the windows of the industrial training hall, casting long shadows over laptops, notebooks, and scattered papers. I was bent over my notes, trying to organize data for the upcoming project presentation, when the door opened and a hush seemed to ripple across the room.
She walked in like she owned the space, though she didn't need to. Long, flowing hair, confident stride, and a smile that was calm yet impossible to ignore. Whispers had already reached me—Bella, the girl rumored to be Lucas's girlfriend—but seeing her in person made the stories feel too small. She was… deliberate in her movements, graceful, and perfectly poised, with an air that suggested she knew exactly the effect she had on people.
Lucas didn't stand to greet her. He didn't need to. He simply leaned back in his chair, the familiar smirk tugging at his lips, eyes flicking to her as though she were a puzzle he already knew the edges of but wanted to study closer. "Bella," he said casually, voice low but carrying across the small group. "Right on time."
She offered him a polite smile, accepting his greeting without a hint of arrogance. "You know me," she replied smoothly, "I don't like being late."
I felt my chest tighten slightly. Not jealousy—not exactly—but something prickly and unfamiliar, something that made me hyper-aware of every movement Lucas made. He stood, moving just enough to glance my way, his smirk still in place. "Rose, this is Bella."
I forced myself to meet her gaze, offering a polite nod. "Nice to meet you." My voice felt steady, though my heart betrayed me with a faint flutter.
Bella's eyes studied me for a brief moment, calm, almost assessing, before she smiled again. "I've heard a lot about this project," she said lightly. "Lucas speaks highly of his teammates."
The words stung, though I forced a neutral expression. She wasn't rude, not at all—she was careful, graceful—but her presence alone carried weight. Lucas, for his part, remained teasing and relaxed, cracking small jokes that drew soft laughter from the group. Yet I could see the subtle ways Bella's attention mirrored his, quiet glances and the faint curl of amusement in her smile.
Throughout the session, Bella contributed with a calm confidence, sharing ideas without dominating the conversation, matching Lucas's energy in a way that was effortless. Every now and then, I caught Lucas leaning slightly toward her, whispering something just out of earshot, and I felt a strange mix of curiosity and frustration.
Ethan, as always, remained an observer. He offered guidance when needed but mostly watched the interplay with a faint, knowing smile. Lucas and Bella's presence had shifted the energy in the room—what had been playful tension between Lucas and me now carried a new, complex undertone.
As the session ended and students began packing up, Lucas turned to me, nudging my shoulder lightly with his elbow. "Don't worry," he said casually, though the sparkle in his eyes betrayed amusement. "You'll get used to her."
I shook my head, trying not to let my unease show. "We'll see," I said softly, keeping my eyes on my notes.
Bella waved as she left, her laughter soft but lingering, a melody I couldn't place. Lucas followed, still smirking, glancing back once to catch my gaze. The world suddenly felt more complicated, the project less about work and more about navigating emotions, curiosity, and subtle rivalry.
And as I gathered my things and walked back to the dorm, I realized that this was more than just another assignment. Bella had arrived, and somehow, I knew the dynamic between Lucas and me—and everything I thought I understood—was about to change.