The Rumour : A Novel

Young Adult / Contemporary Coming-of-Age

One lie. One rumour. One girl forced to reclaim her voice.

Eighteen-year-old Jade is counting down the days to graduation, trying to survive the pressure cooker of senior year where reputation is everything and privacy doesn't exist. When her best friend corners her with a question everyone seems to be asking-"have you done it yet?"-she panics and lies.

She says yes.

By Monday, that single word has ignited a wildfire. Whispers turn into accusations. Texts become fake photos. Boys brag about things that never happened. Her best friend turns on her. Her boyfriend betrays her to save face. Overnight, she is branded with a label she never chose-and can't escape.

As the rumours spiral, she retreats into silence, drowning in shame, anxiety, and isolation. Then Luka arrives-the quiet exchange student who sees through the noise. He doesn't want gossip. He doesn't want proof. He just believes her. A virgin himself and unapologetic about it, Luka helps her understand something no one else her worth was never tied to what people think she's done.

With his support, she makes a choice that changes everything. She speaks. She tells the truth. And she refuses to let anyone else define her.

"The Rumour" is a raw, emotionally honest coming-of-age novel about slut-shaming, peer pressure, and the damage of lies-both the ones we tell and the ones told about us. It's about finding courage in vulnerability, power in truth, and love that waits until it's ready.

Because your story belongs to you-and no one else.