Chapter 2

Several girls were already poking their heads into our doorway from the hall.

I didn't flinch. I stood right where I was, waiting for her to finish her act. Then I took out my phone, opened the calculator app, and turned the screen toward her.

"One thousand and thirty dollars. When are you paying it back?"

Mia froze.

She clearly thought I would feel humiliated in front of the crowd, back down, and let it slide.

But I felt zero shame. You borrow money, you pay it back. It was that simple. Why should I be embarrassed?

As more people gathered outside, Mia's face grew darker.

She bit her lip, tears streaming down her cheeks, looking utterly devastated.

"Fine. You win."

She sniffled, pulled a stack of cash from her wallet, counted out eleven hundred-dollar bills, and slammed them into my hand.

"Eleven hundred. Keep the change. Consider the extra seventy bucks my treat for a meal. Don't ever expect me to ask you for anything again."

I took the bills, counted them calmly, slipped them into my pocket, grabbed my backpack, and walked out.

Behind me, Mia slammed the door so hard the hallway lights shuddered.

I thought that was the end of it.

Turns out, I was far too naive.

The next morning when I walked into class, the atmosphere was completely off.

The classmates who usually sat in my row deliberately avoided the seats next to me.

After I sat down, two empty desks flanked me on either side, as if I were carrying a contagious disease.

I ignored it, pulled out my textbook, and got ready for lecture.

Sitting a row ahead of me, Rachel looked back at me. Her expression was hard to read—a mixture of pity and smug amusement.

She quickly turned back, whispering to the girl beside her. Both of them giggled.

I frowned, but didn't dwell on it.

After class, as I packed up my things, our academic advisor, Mrs. Evans, called out to me.

"Elena, come with me for a moment."

I followed her to her office, already suspecting what this was about.

Mrs. Evans offered me a seat and poured a cup of water, choosing her words carefully before speaking:

"Mia called me last night. She said you two got into an argument over a minor issue, and that you cornered her in front of a crowd in the dorm, demanding money and scaring her to tears."

I held the cup without drinking, waiting for her to continue.

"She claimed you're always trying to take advantage of her, constantly begging her to buy you food. When she refused, you held a grudge, and finally blew up over a ten-dollar bill."

Mrs. Evans looked at me kindly. "Elena, tell me your side. What actually happened?"

I set the cup on the desk, keeping my tone as even as possible:

"Mrs. Evans, she claims I mooched off her and made her buy me food. Does she have proof?

My parents send me two thousand dollars a month for living expenses, and I track every single penny.

Not a single thing she said will hold up to scrutiny."