Chapter 1

"Lavender Lyon, you're on your last chance. If you can't fix your habit of sleeping in class and can't reach the admission cutoff score for second-tier colleges in the upcoming mock exam, we will have no choice but to make you repeat a year.

"You'll also have to return the 50-thousand-dollar scholarship that we awarded you for being the top scorer in the high school entrance exam," said Elton Sanford, the Dean of Studies, in a grave voice.

I nodded numbly as I clutched the official notice stating that I might have to repeat my senior year and return my scholarship. With my head hung low, I walked out of the office.

The phone in my pocket vibrated. I swiped to answer and heard Mom's stern voice, barely holding back her suppressed fury.

She scolded, "The dean just called us! You've humiliated your father and me, Lavender! How did we end up with such a useless daughter? You're absolutely hopeless! If you end up having to pay back the full amount of your scholarship, you figure it out yourself!"

As soon as the call ended, a message popped up on WhatsApp. It was from my childhood friend, Jeffrey Rivers.

He wrote, "Let's stop being friends. Having trash like you as a friend is a huge disgrace."

I stared at his words for a long time before blinking slowly and typing a reply with stiff fingers. "Do you really mean that?"

He replied immediately, "Look at what you've become. You're a complete loser who has nothing going on for her now! Sylvia works harder than you and has more drive. She's the truly outstanding one who will get into Kilnia College with me."

I turned off my phone and walked back to the dorm in a daze.

Sylvia Colman was sitting at her desk, energetically working through practice papers. When she heard the door open, she turned back to look at me. Her face carried the same gentle, concerned smile as always.

"You're back at last, Lav. Mr. Sanford didn't give you a hard time, did he?"

I shook my head and stuffed the notice deep into my drawer as I replied, "No, it was just a routine talk."

"That's great," Sylvia said, letting out a sigh of relief.

Then, she said encouragingly, "Don't lose heart, Lav. There's still time before the mock exam. I'll help you study. Hope is not lost yet."

Sylvia had always been like this. She was kind and perfect, like a bright sun that never went out. In contrast, I was the darkest, filthiest shadow beneath her light.

I climbed onto my bed and pulled the curtain shut, curling up in the darkness. Sleepiness washed over me like a tide and instantly swallowed me whole.

Just before I drifted off to sleep, I thought I saw the small cactus on Sylvia's desk move slightly.