C7 A Message From Samantha

When I finally returned home, my parents tried to comfort me. “Maybe it’s time to let her go,” my mother, Mary Smith said gently. My father, Quinton Smith nodded. “Stop chasing after a rich girl, son. We all know the situation we’re in.”

Their words were meant to help, but they only made me feel worse.

A few days later, Chris arrived with news that changed everything. Rumors had started spreading about what happened after the school year-end banquet.

According to several students, many people attended an after-party that night. And that Samantha and Ben had been there together.

Anyway, after learning about all the fake rumors that had been spreading about me and my family, I tried to convince myself that I didn’t care anymore.

I told Chris how I felt about rumors and that I still trusted Samantha completely. I believed she was as deeply in love with me as I was with her. Chris rolled her eyes, clearly not understanding what I was saying.

Before he could respond, my phone vibrated. A message from Samantha. Excitement rushed through me. I jumped up without even opening it.

“See?” I said to Chris. “You all misunderstood us. She loves me.” I was smiling as I opened the message.

The moment I read it, everything changed. Tears rolled down my cheeks. All the happiness disappeared in a second.