16: The Rumor Mill

TAYA's POV : Oh, the things I do for a high school resume. Today, I was spending my precious Friday after school hours working to build a Titanic replica with the theater club. If this wasn't desperation, I didn't know what would be. Dear colleges, please notice me! I had my oversized hoodie and baggy pants on, my hair pulled up in a messy bun, and my hands had dried paint all over them. I was in charge of painting the wooden boards, while Hallee was in charge of, well, everything else. "Where'd Gabe go? I need him to arrange the props table," Hallee said in a demanding tone. "I sent him to get the rest of the wooden planks from the car," I replied, my hands still busy with the paintbrushes. "Alone? He can't possibly carry all that stuff by himself!" "No, Judah's with him," "Judah? What—he actually came?" she looked shocked. "Yeah, I told him we needed a hand with building the set," I studied her worried expression. "You don't look too happy about that. What's going on?" Hallee turned