Chapter 1

Wyatt's POV

When I arrived at the entrance of Northvale University once again, dragging heavy luggage bags all by myself, my sister, Shelly Yates, and my childhood friend, Wendy Zahn, were already doubled over with laughter.

My best friend, Shane Sanders, tossed me a tissue to wipe off my sweat. He said, "Wyatt, how did someone as stupid as you get into Northvale University?"

I clenched my fists. I glanced down at the shoe I had lost in my haste, nervously rubbing my hands together. My eyes were filled with hurt and anger. "Shane, this isn't funny at all."

After all that back-and-forth, I was left with only 200 dollars out of my 1,500-dollar allowance. How was I supposed to survive the remaining 29 days?

"I didn't mean to do anything." Shane looked at me for a few seconds, then shrank back. He looked even more wronged than I did.

Wendy walked over and planted herself in front of him, hands on her hips. "Wyatt, today is supposed to be a happy day. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I looked at Shelly unhappily, hoping she would at least speak up for me.

But she just frowned and lectured me, "Wyatt, don't be such a spoilsport. If you keep taking things so seriously, you won't be popular with girls at school."

"Alright," Shane said, throwing an arm around my shoulders and pulling me toward the school. "I didn't mean anything by it. You're overthinking things. I have no intention of stealing your sister because she's already my sister."

When I heard his words, I paused in my tracks. "W-What do you mean by that?"

He leaned in close to my ear and whispered mysteriously, "Your parents picked you up off the street. I'm the real son here. Why else would they treat me better than you?"

My mind went blank. Then I remembered how, when we were kids, Shane and Wendy got the good food while I was left with the scraps. During Thanksgiving, they would each receive 500 dollars in gift money, while I would only get 50 dollars.

Seeing my stunned expression, Shane gave me a smug smile and slapped me hard on the back. "You idiot, you fell for it again!"

Shelly burst out laughing.

Wendy also smiled helplessly and gently patted my cheek. "Look at that foolishness. You only got into Northvale because you were lucky. If you had to take the SAT again, you'd probably end up at a vocational college."

I couldn't take it anymore and glared at Wendy. She had been my deskmate throughout high school and knew better than anyone how hard I had worked.

I woke up at 5:00 am every morning and studied until morning. I went through 167 pens and filled 16 notebooks with nothing but scratch work. And yet, she was claiming I only got into a top-tier university because I was lucky.

"I've never liked pranks, not since I was a kid. Please don't do this anymore." I mustered the courage to say the words I had kept buried for so long.

However, after a brief silence, I heard a burst of sharp laughter all around me.