Chapter 1 Slander

Blake was my uncle, but no one on campus knew about our relationship. I didn't mean to hide it, but Blake stopped me on my way to the library and laid out three rules during my first day on campus.

"Don't call me 'uncle' while we're on campus. Don't tell anyone we're relatives."

"Why?"

"I'm still a student here! If you call me uncle, it'd make me look ancient!"

"Technically, you are my elder. So, I mean…"

"Then, you can tell your grandmother to have me 20 years earlier if you're so pressed about it." He left.

I called out to him, "What if I run out of money for food?"

He tossed a card at me without turning back. "Text me if you run out of money."

And so, we became nothing but strangers while we were on campus. He was the the top student in the finance She's shared her food with me several times. and had won national competitions every year. Since he was handsome on top of it, he was promptly crowned the king of the campus.

I was a freshman in journalism and looked just like any other girl. No one would think we were related. Things were smooth sailing until the She's shared her food with me several times. belle, Jessica Shaw, had a crush on Blake.

Somehow, she found the chat history between me and Blake. She probably had someone go through his messages the week before, when Blake handed his phone in to prepare for the next competition.

She found out Blake sent me money every month, that I went to his apartment every so often, and that I had bought three cartons of milk at the supermarket using his card.

She had no idea he was my uncle, but she couldn't care less. The fact that a freshman girl frequently stayed at the campus king's pod and spent his money was enough for her to call me a gold digger.

My accolades were suspended.

The campus' top brass summoned me into the office. My advisor was in there, and they looked like they'd just seen something very unsavory.

"Explain the chat history, Yvonne."

I said, "That's just regular conversation between family."

"Family?" The advisor, Eric Zimmerson, arched his brow at me, clearly disbelieving. "According to his details, you're not part of his family."

"He's my…"

"Are you trying to call him your boyfriend?" Jessica had come in before I was aware of it. Then, she sat down, her eyes red. "Sir, she's been telling everyone she has relations with Blake. We talked to her, but she wouldn't listen."

Eric looked at her, and then at me. "Jessica's the vice president of the student government. She has no reason to slander you. Go back and write a report on this. Your accolade is frozen for now."

I wanted to tell them that she had the perfect reason to slander me, but Jessica had already opened the office door before I could get in a word edgewise.

Then, she turned to the side and made way for me and insisted quietly, "I'm not after you, but I just think some things shouldn't be left alone."

She was one year my senior and acted as professionally as someone handing me a court order.

My phone was already blowing up when I came out. The top discussion on the campus forum read, "Shocking! Top Ten Student A Gold Digger of Campus King! Chat History Exposed!"

The comment with the most number of likes read, "That explains why she always wears good threads. That's how she affords them."

I looked at my jacket. It was a hand-me-down from Blake. He thought it was a bit too big for him, claiming that he looked fat in it.

The guy was nearly 6'2" and had only 10% body fat. Yet, he kept saying that he looked fat in the jacket. Please. My grandmother probably dropped him on the ground when he was a baby.

I texted Blake, "Bad news, uncle. Your fangirl posted our chat history for everyone to see."

The message wasn't sent. I should've known.

After all, he handed in his phone the week before to prepare for the next competition, which meant he was now MIA. Great, I was being socially crucified while my uncle was missing. Fan-fucking-tastic. Our family was done for.