"A New Reality"

As I stand there, lost in thought, I finally tear my gaze away from the spot where Hawks disappeared and make my way into the dorms. The cool air inside envelops me, a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning sun. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering feelings of excitement and anticipation. Mina greets me with a warm smile, but as I approach her, I notice a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "Hey, Vesper! How was your morning?" she asks, her voice a little softer than usual. I smile back at her, trying to match her enthusiasm. "It was great, thanks. Hawks and I went for a bike ride." Mina's eyes light up, but then her expression falls, and she looks at me with a serious gaze. "Vesper, we need to talk," she says, her voice low and urgent. I feel a sense of trepidation as I follow her to the common room. She sits down on the couch, patting the spot beside her for me to sit. I do, my heart beating slightly faster. Mina takes a deep breath before pulling out a newspaper from her bag. She unfolds it, and my eyes widen as I see a headline that makes my heart skip a beat: "Mysterious Couple Spotted on School Grounds: Vesper and Hawks' Secret Romance Exposed?" My eyes scan the article, and I feel like I've been punched in the gut. There's a grainy photo of Hawks and me on our bike ride, our faces blurred, but our figures unmistakable. The article speculates about our relationship, suggesting that we might be more than just friends. I feel my face heat up as I look at Mina, who's watching me with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Where did you find this?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. Mina shrugs. "I was out running errands, and I saw it at the newsstand. I didn't think much of it at first, but then I realized it was about you and Hawks." I take a deep breath, trying to process the situation. How did this happen? And what does it mean for us? I look at Mina, who's still watching me with concern. "What do you think we should do?" I ask her, feeling a sense of uncertainty. Mina takes my hand, her grip firm. "We'll figure it out together, Vesper. But first, we need to talk to Hawks and see what he has to say about this."