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The gossip about Professor JM and I quickly became the talk of the campus, and though I tried to ignore it, the whispers seemed to follow me wherever I went.

Some students gave me knowing smiles, others snickered behind my back, and I even overheard a conversation in the library where someone said, “I heard he’s always so kind to the freshmen. I wonder if there’s more to it with Junno.”

I did my best to stay focused on my studies, but the rumors made me feel self-conscious. The last thing I wanted was for people to think there was something more between me and Professor JM. It was just an innocent gesture—he was being kind.

---

One afternoon, as I sat in the campus courtyard, trying to finish an essay for my communications class, Carla plopped down next to me, a mischievous grin on her face.

“So, I heard Professor JM asked you about the ‘umbrella incident’ yesterday,” she teased.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “Can we please drop this? It was nothing, Carla.”

She raised an eyebrow, not buying it. “Sure, nothing. Except the whole campus is wondering why you two were sharing an umbrella. And it’s not like he’s just any professor.”

“I don’t care about the rumors,” I snapped, a little more sharply than I intended. I immediately regretted it. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just... all of this is getting to me.”

Carla’s expression softened. “I get it, Junno. But I have to say, the way he looks out for you is kind of sweet.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “He looks out for everyone. He’s a nice person.”

“Yeah, but he’s really nice to you.” Carla leaned back in her chair, eyeing me with a knowing smile. “And hey, if you like him, it’s no big deal. Just go with it.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “I don’t like him like that. Seriously, Carla, it’s just... I don’t know. It’s awkward now. I can’t even look at him without wondering if people think there’s something going on.”

“Well, it’s not like you can control what people say,” she said, her tone surprisingly serious. “If you’re worried about what others think, that’s on them. Don’t let it mess with your head.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. Maybe I was letting the rumors get to me more than I should. I had no reason to feel awkward around Professor JM, especially when he’d only been kind.

---

Later that week, I found myself in Professor JM’s office after class. I had a few questions about the upcoming exam and figured it would be easier to ask him directly.

“Come in, Junno,” he said when I knocked. “What can I help you with?”

I stepped inside, trying not to let the tension from the rumors affect me. “I just wanted to go over a few things for the exam. I’m not sure about some of the concepts in our last lesson.”

He nodded, gesturing to the chair across from him. “Sit down. Let’s go through it together.”

As he explained the material, I found myself relaxing. His teaching style was patient and clear, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else—the gossip, the rumors, the tension in the air.

After a while, I felt more confident about the material. “Thanks, sir. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, Junno. You’re doing well. Just stay focused.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of relief. For once, I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the lesson at hand.

But as I stood to leave, I noticed something in Professor JM’s eyes—a glimmer of something more than just professionalism. It wasn’t a flirtatious look, but there was a warmth in his gaze that made my heart beat a little faster.

I quickly pushed the thought aside. Maybe I was just overthinking things.

---

That night, I lay in bed, replaying the conversation in my mind.

What was it about Professor JM that made me so nervous?

He was just my teacher—kind, approachable, and professional.

But there was something about the way he looked at me sometimes, something that made me wonder if there was more to his kindness than I realized.

Maybe it was just the weight of the rumors, or maybe it was my own confusion, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting. But what that shift meant, I had no idea.

And I wasn’t sure I was ready to find out.