Von Hartmann

Von Hartmann is a rude high school reporter whose hallway collision with Olivia Parker grows into a damaging rumor. He accidentally bumps her, but repeated retellings soon claim he shoved her down, injured her ankle, and deserves removal from a school magazine competition. Olivia knows the truth but remains silent because Von's disqualification could benefit her friend Zoe. When she finally reports what happened, Von surprises her by apologizing for his own discourtesy. His behavior made the rumor believable, but it did not make the false details true. Blunt and unpleasant yet capable of admitting fault, Von becomes the person harmed by a story others find convenient. His experience shows why silence can support a lie even when someone else started spreading it.