In The Clear - Out Of The Woods Sequel - A Taylor Swift Fanfiction

Chapter 18: Madison Stands Up For Herself

Madison stepped into the school, her heart full of the comforting words and support her parents had offered her the night before. Yet, as she approached her usual spot where her friends gathered each morning, an unfamiliar chill met her.

Chloe, along with the rest of the group, seemed distant, their bodies angled away from where Madison stood, their laughter and chatter ceasing abruptly as she neared. Madison's greeting, bright and hopeful, hung in the air, unanswered. The group exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable, their silence a stark contrast to the warmth she was accustomed to.

Confused, Madison reached out, "Hey, what's up with everyone this morning?" Her voice, laced with uncertainty, seemed to only widen the gap between them.

The response was a series of shrugs and mumbled excuses. Chloe, her back turned to Madison, busied herself with her bag, avoiding her best friend's gaze. The cold reception was bewildering, leaving Madison wondering what happened.

As Madison moved to take her seat in the classroom, she found her path blocked by Chloe's bag, deliberately placed on Madison's usual desk. The message was clear: she was no longer welcome. Chloe, without meeting Madison's eyes, said, "I need this space for my project stuff today."

The hurt from Chloe's actions cut deep, more so because it came from someone she considered a best friend. With no words to express her shock and hurt, Madison moved to the only available seat at the front of the class.

Sitting there, surrounded by silence rather than the comforting buzz of friends, Madison fought the sting of tears. She replayed the morning's interactions in her mind, searching for any clue that could explain the sudden change in her friends' behavior. The sense of alienation was surreal, something she wasn't familiar with in a school environment.

Madison lingered by her locker during the break, her gaze drifting over to where her friends congregated, laughing and sharing stories just like they used to with her. Taking a deep breath, she mustered the courage to approach them, hoping to mend whatever rift had formed in between the day befofe and that morning.

"Hey, guys," Madison started, her voice laced with a hopeful note as she neared. The

conversation abruptly halted, and the welcoming circle closed tighter, visibly excluding her.

"Can we talk? I feel like there's something wrong," Madison tried again, her voice faltering as she met their eyes.

Chloe, once her closest ally, barely glanced her way. "We're kind of in the middle of something. Maybe later," she said, her words polite but cold, leaving no room for Madison to press further.

Feeling the sting of rejection, Madison retreated, her heart heavy with confusion and hurt. She found solace by the window, away from the prying eyes and whispered judgments of her classmates.

That's when Sarah, a girl from her history class whom Madison would normally consider a nerd, approached her. Sarah hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Maddie, I don't know if it's my place to say this, but I think you should know..."

Madison looked up, surprised by the concern in Sarah's eyes. "Know what?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat.

"It's Jake... He's been saying things. Making it sound like... like you got a gross infectious disease... you know... down there," Sarah revealed, her voice low, fraught with the weight of her words. "People think you're a slut."

The revelation hit Madison like a physical blow, her breath catching in her throat as the pieces clicked into place. The coldness from her friends, their avoidance—it all stemmed from Jake's rumors. And they were willing to drop her just like that.