Chapter 2

"Serves you right for bossing us around every day!"

With a heavy thud, I threw my bag to the floor and stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

Justin's smile froze on his face.

Someone whispered, "Did Cassidy… cry?"

Justin frowned, staring after me.

I splashed water on my face in the bathroom, wiping away the streaks of tears.

I told myself it was fine as I looked at myself in the mirror. So what if I gave the admission ticket away? Priscilla can keep it for all I care.

I could just apply for a replacement ticket. I still had time.

…

However, when I walked back into the classroom, the first thing I heard was the sound of cards shuffling.

I rushed in, only to find my classmates huddled in a circle. They were using the admission tickets as a replacement for playing cards.

The game was so intense that a few tickets slipped to the floor, and no one even cared.

"Priscilla's idea is brilliant. There are 54 of us. It's enough for a deck of cards!"

"The school banned playing cards, and Cassidy watches us like a hawk. Luckily for us, the admission tickets are with Priscilla for safekeeping. What is she gonna do now? Confiscate them? Hah!"

"I'm playing this one! Who's going for it?"

"I will! I've got Justin in my hand!"

"Then, I'll play Priscilla!"

Admission tickets were being smacked onto the desk one after another. Yet, the moment they saw me, the smiles on their faces were replaced by frowns.

"What are you staring at? Are you gonna tell us the admission tickets are banned too?"

"The exam's in two days, and you guys aren't even bothered to do your revisions?" I asked, slightly confused.

They just sneered at my question.

"What's there to be afraid of? Didn't you already say you'd give us exam predictions?"

I froze.

In my past life, I stayed up all night poring over years of exam questions. They didn't even care about my predictions. In fact, I had to beg them to study.

So, they did know how important this was, eh?

Priscilla's eyes sparkled with mischief as she threw my ticket onto the pile. "I play Cassidy. Who dares to beat her?"

"Cassidy?"

Everyone's attention snapped back to the game.

"I play Jonathan Hugh!"

"Even the underdog dares to challenge Cassidy? Please."

"Cassidy, huh?" Someone else clicked their tongue. "I guess anyone can just do her."

"Oooh… is that an innuendo I hear? Then, I'll play Ricky Lowe!"

"I choose Zachary Smith!"

One after another, everyone started slapping the admission tickets in their hands on the table. Meanwhile, the boys being "played" groaned in annoyance.

"Hey! I don't want to do her! That's gross!"

The whole class roared with laughter.

Hearing this, Priscilla covered her mouth dramatically and added, "Oh, stop, you guys. An eavesdropper might think you're talking about some prostitute."

A loud smack echoed in the classroom as my palm struck across her face.

At that moment, Justin just came back from looking for me, just in time to witness the scene. He grabbed my wrist hard. "Cassidy Ford! What the heck are you doing?"

Immediately, everyone shouted over each other, accusing me of being jealous of Priscilla holding the admission tickets.

I pointed to the pile of admission tickets scattered across the desk. "Justin Kylemark! They played my card like I was an easy woman who would do anyone! Am I supposed to smile and congratulate them for a game well-played?"

Even Justin, however clueless he may be, couldn't ignore the thick stack piled over my admission ticket.

"Justin, it was just a joke…" Priscilla's voice softened as she tugged gently at his sleeve.

However, when he looked at me—with my eyes burning red—his breath caught. For the first time, he didn't take Priscilla's side.

"Put them away," he ordered.

"Eh? But Justin—"

"I said put them away!" he roared, cutting her off.

Seeing his deep frown, everyone kept their mouths shut and gathered up the admission tickets.

He turned back to me as if wanting to explain something. However, I had already snatched my bag and walked out without looking back.

…

I didn't return to school, but Priscilla still made sure I saw what happened next.

In a private room, the whole class celebrated their so-called "freedom" from the class representative's supervision. They called it a pre-exam relaxation party.

Justin draped an arm over Priscilla's shoulder, grinning as the literature committee member, Marvin Hancock, teased.

"Come on, admit it. You told Priscilla to put the admission tickets away earlier because you were trying to support Cassidy, weren't you?"

The room erupted in cheers.

Under everyone's gaze, Justin tore my admission ticket in half. Then, with a smile, he turned to Priscilla and asked, "Do you believe me now, my princess?"

"Bold move, Justin!"

"Justin and Priscilla—perfect couple right here!"