Chapter 1

Before I could make sense of all the information in the comments, the host at the front of the auditorium announced, "Next, please welcome student council president Simon Luther to give a speech to our new students."

Applause filled the auditorium.

I was sitting in the exact center of the front row, but Simon didn't look at me.

Instead, he stood onstage and looked toward the right side of the auditorium.

A girl was sitting there in an old, faded uniform.

She had very fair skin and her hair was simply tied back. She nervously pinched the hem of her skirt between her fingers.

When she noticed Simon looking at her, she raised her head and glanced at him. Then she quickly lowered her eyes again.

[Oh, President Luther's gaze is so gentle!]

[Jessica must be shy.]

[Natalie is about to lose her mind with jealousy and storm over to embarrass Jessica!]

I followed their gaze.

Sitting beside the girl were Steven Kennedy and Quentin Smith.

Steven was the captain of the basketball team. He was usually full of energy, but right now, he was quietly holding her backpack for her.

Quentin was flipping through a competition study guide.

There was also a cup of warm water sitting at the corner of his desk. The temperature was probably just right to drink.

I had a sensitive stomach and couldn't drink water that was too cold, so Quentin used to make sure my water was always warm enough.

Now he still remembered, but he was doing it for someone else.

I looked away.

I hadn't seen the three of them in a year. Apparently, they had learned how to take care of people.

Simon finished his speech soon after.

As soon as he stepped off the stage, he walked straight over to the girl. "Jessica, is your uniform too small?"

Jessica Harper shook her head. "No. It's just old because I've worn it so much."

"Then I'll have someone get you a new one."

She quickly shook her head. "It's okay. I can earn the money and buy one myself."

Steven frowned. "It's just an uniform. You don't have to be so polite with us."

Quentin looked up and said, "You can apply for the school's financial aid program."

Jessica's eyes turned slightly red. "Thank you, but I don't want special treatment just because people feel sorry for me."

Simon immediately frowned.

Then he turned to look at me.

But there was no trace of the familiarity he once had in his eyes, only suspicion. "Natalie."

I looked up. "Yes?"

"Jessica just transferred here, so she doesn't know the school very well yet. Don't cause trouble for her because of some stupid rumors."

I glanced at Jessica behind him.

She looked up at me too. There was a hint of fear in her eyes.

Then she quietly stepped behind Simon. "Natalie is back. Do you think she won't like me?"

Simon immediately frowned even harder. "Natalie, Jessica is shy. Don't bully her. She's been helping the student council during the year you were away. She's not someone you can just push around."

Steven let out a cold laugh beside him. "Natalie, drop the princess act. This is school. Nobody's gonna cater to you."

Quentin stood nearby. He pushed his glasses up but didn't say anything. Still, his eyes remained fixed on Jessica.

More comments flooded before my eyes.

[She's definitely furious right now. She used to be the center of everyone's attention.]

[She always treated those three guys like they belonged to her. Now that they're protecting someone else, she must be losing her mind.]

[I can't wait to watch her go crazy with jealousy and get publicly humiliated by them!]

[She deserves it. Someone like her needs to learn what it feels like to lose everything.]

I quietly looked at the three people standing in front of me.

At first, I had been confused by the comments. But after seeing their guarded looks and hearing their warnings, I finally knew the comments were telling the truth.

During the year I had taken a leave of absence to go overseas for medical treatment, they had found a new source of entertainment.

A poor, stubborn girl who looked a little like me, but knew how to act vulnerable better than I ever did.

I didn't get angry or demand to know why they had changed their minds about me, like the comments expected.

I just felt bored.

Simon frowned as he stared at me. He seemed to be bracing himself for whatever outburst I was about to have.

But I simply walked past him and headed straight for the stage.

The principal was onstage preparing to give his speech.

When he saw me walk up, he froze. "Natalie, what are you..."

I simply took the microphone from his hand. "Sorry, but I need to take up one minute of everyone's time."

The noisy auditorium instantly fell silent. Everyone turned to look at me.