Chapter 3

Nicole's new post popped up on my screen.

[So I guess people can steal someone else's code and still compete with it, huh?]

My stomach dropped. A thought hit me that maybe this was the exact post that had started everything last time. It was the reason I got torn apart online.

Nicole was always the one people adored. She had professor parents, that sweet-girl image, and a smile everyone noticed. Meanwhile, I was just an average face with no family connections. And in this world, looks and status would win every time.

The comments came in fast.

[What's going on, Nicole? Did someone copy your code?]

[Tell your parents right now. Let the dean handle it and kick that cheater out of school!]

[Plagiarizers like that are the shame of Arkenville University. Right before the competition, too? That's just disgusting.]

As I read their words, I felt as if I was being dragged back into my past life—the bullying, the hate, and the endless comments that ripped me apart.

Back then, I'd get hundreds of texts every day. Some guys even posted my info on sketchy hookup sites, and creepy strangers started calling.

They'd say things like, "Stop acting so innocent. You'll end up sleeping with your professors for good grades anyway. Might as well have some fun with me first."

"I know where you live. If you don't sleep with me, I'll just show up at your door."

That was when my parents decided to move and were killed in the crash.

The memory stung so hard that I wanted to throw my phone away. My thumb hovered over the screen, ready to shut it down, when something stopped me.

A comment with my name.

[Is Nicole talking about Kelsey? I saw her program in my professor's office a few days ago. It looked exactly like Nicole's.]

The thread exploded.

[Kelsey? The special enrolled student? You actually saw her stuff?]

[No way. She's been top of the department for years. Why would she need to plagiarize? You'd better have proof.]

[Ha. How do you know she didn't cheat her way to those grades, too? And Nicole never even said it was Kelsey. Stop acting like a neutral judge!]

The whole post turned into a battlefield, with people arguing back and forth.

Some students even started making their own posts to show support for Nicole, calling her strong and brave.

And of course, the loudest voice belonged to my boyfriend, Mark.

He went all out with three back-to-back posts, each one with a selfie of Nicole.

[Everyone knows how hard Nicole works. She's always staying up late for the team. Whoever copied her needs to admit it now, or I'll call the cops myself and make sure Nicole gets justice!]

Almost every guy in the department liked his post. And Nicole commented right under it.

[Thanks, Mark. I'm so glad you're here for me!]

The words stung like needles under my skin. My chest twisted with jealousy, but also relief.

Thank God I hadn't turned in my code yesterday. If I had, I'd already be drowning in another wave of hate.

I steadied my breathing, trying to calm down. I was about to leave the classroom and tell my team about my new program when Nicole's next post popped up.

"Thanks for your support, everyone. Even if someone steals my work, I can still rebuild. That's something no one can take away. Here's my new program. Check it out!"

My hand shook as I clicked the link.

And my blood went cold.

The code for her "new" program was exactly the same as my second version, line for line!