one student leans close to another's ear, whispering something with an excited expression while gesturing dramatically. The listening student's eyes widen with surprise and intrigue at hearing the information. Immediately, the second student turns to whisper the same thing to a third person nearby. The third student reacts with shock and starts moving toward another group to share what they just heard. Other students in the hallway are clustered in small groups, all engaged in similar hushed conversations with animated expressions. a story or statement spreading without confirmation or certainty as to facts