Chelsea finally just blurted out “We heard that Ashley’s bi.” Really nice Chels, very subtle.

“Um, who told you that???” Carmen responded nervously.

“Aiden’s best friend, who got told by Aiden,” Kyla put in.

“Well, I really shouldn’t talk about this, but… She is. She told us all earlier this year because word got out that she did stuff with a girl from another school. As far as I know, her parents found out and got really mad, but she just told them it was a phase. And not a lot of people know. Pretty much just the softball team because she got outed by another senior, and her best friends because they started asking questions,” Carmen answered. ”You guys cannot tell anyone you heard this from me!”

“We won’t” we all said at once.

“Okay, good, I’d be dead if anyone found out that I told. Even though technically I didn’t tell you first.” Carmen said as she pulled up to my house. “Well Spencer, here’s your stop.”

“Alright, thanks for the ride Carmen, I’ll see you guys tomorrow!”

“Yeah, see you Spence,” they responded.

I went straight to my room in order to process this new information. It led to more questions about mine and Ashley’s relationship, my sexual orientation, and really just everything surrounding this rumor. I also felt bad for Ashley and Aiden. I wouldn’t want all these people talking about me behind my back, so I thought I owed it to them to try to tell them that they can’t necessarily trust everyone around them. But how would I do this? I sat brainstorming of a non-threatening way to tell them, but I also wanted to be anonymous. I decided on getting Aiden’s number and texting him, but not telling him it was me.

My text: Hey, I know you don’t know who this is, but I just think you should know… Someone you told about your sister told someone else, and now people are finding out. I just don’t want to see either of you guys get hurt.