Chapter 2 More Slander

The next morning, I found an A4 paper stuck to my room's door. "Stay away from Blake and stop embarrassing the journalism She's shared her food with me several times.."

The paper was signed off by all the girls in journalism. I tore the paper down and flipped it over. Blank. I could use it for my notes.

I sat in the last row for my morning class. The students in front of me moved three rows ahead, as if I was a walking source of plague.

Molly Riverson, Jessica's sycophant, went around and placed a drink on my table. "Jessica's treat."

"No, thank you."

Molly said in a low voice, "She said she'll make sure things die down if you post an apology on the forum today."

"Apologize for what?"

"For being inappropriate toward Blake."

"Our relationship is completely normal. There's nothing inappropriate about it."

Molly sighed. "The chat history is out, and the whole campus has seen it. No one will believe you even if you deny it. Just give in."

I slid the drink back. "I'll do it… if she can give me my accolade back."

Molly took the drink and went away.

I went to the cafeteria for lunch, but I didn't have enough money. Jessica had handed Blake's card over to the student government as evidence. I only had 47 dollars left on my card, and there were 19 days left this month.

That meant I could only spend 2.50 every day.

I got myself a plate of plain pasta and sat in a quiet corner. Natalie Zimmer, my roommate, shared half her food with me, assuming that I had run out of allowance. Well, she wasn't exactly wrong. "Have some of mine."

"Nah. I'm on a diet."

"You're only 99 pounds!" she exclaimed in dismay.

"I'd like to be light enough to be blown away by the wind. If I could, I could say goodbye to this place," I muttered.

I went to the student government that afternoon to get the card, and Jessica was sorting out the files. She looked at me coolly. "I can't give you the card right now."

"My allowance is in there."

"And the card is Blake's." She held up the card. "We can't give it to you until he confirms it."

"You have no right to confiscate it," I retorted.

Jessica put the card in the drawer. "We're protecting Blake's financial security. After all, what if you really are extorting him?"

She sounded so righteous and calm, as if she was just commenting on the weather, as if she was the victim, as if I was a dangerous figure she had to be on guard against.

I yanked the drawer, but Jessica grabbed my hand. "Are you seriously going to snatch it? There are three student council members outside. Do it, and you'll be punished tomorrow."

I ripped my hand away. Her nail left a red mark on the back of my hand.

"Blake will be back in two days after the competition is over. You'll ask him for the card then. I'll give the card back to you if he says that he gave it to you."

She opened the door, smiling. "But if he doesn't, I'll propose to the board to cancel all your nominations for any accolades this term."

I walked out of the office and looked at the red mark on my hand. The student council members saw her slam my hand down, but none of them thought she was in the wrong. To them, I was a gold digger, so what Jessica did was justice in their eyes.

I went through my contacts. My parents were on an overseas business trip, and we had a 12-hour difference between us. My grandmother had no idea how to use smartphones, and Blake was still MIA.

A new post appeared on the forum.

"Diving Deep into Yvonne the Gold Digger. Swipes Blake's Card on Designer Goods in Freshman Year. Suspected of Living in his Place Long-term."

The photo was of me in the jacket Blake tossed, and I was coming out of his apartment complex. The photo was taken at a specific angle, and the lighting was dim. It made me look like a gold digger who frequented upscale residential areas late at night.

The latest comment read, "And she's still not expelled? She's going to derail everyone!"

I turned my phone face down.

Last month, my grandmother called Blake and told him to take care of me. He didn't hesitate to agree, saying, "Of course, Mom. I'll treat her like she's my own daughter!"

Well, his darling daughter couldn't afford lunch because her card was confiscated. Even worse, her reputation was in tatters. Thanks so much for taking care of me, Uncle Blake.