Chapter 2

Camelia's face darkened, and she let out a cold laugh. "Clyde, quit being so stubborn and acting like you're fine.

"Repeating a year isn't a big deal for you anyway. Is there really any need to make that face?"

"Exactly, Clyde." Grayson shrugged. "Camelia was only thinking about what's best for all three of us. Your grades are so good, you'll definitely be fine if you repeat a year."

I stared at Grayson's smug, self-important face and laughed out of sheer anger. "Sacrificing someone else's future to make your love story work. How noble of you."

I stood up and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was exactly five in the afternoon.

Right on time, the bell signaling the end of the exam rang.

"Time's up. I should head home."

I picked up my bag without even bothering to spare them another glance. "I wish you both a long and happy life together."

When I got home, my parents had already laid out a table full of food.

"Clyde, you're back! How did the exam go?"

I sat down at the dining table and gave a vague answer, "Pretty good. Same as always."

My mom happily ladled me a big bowl of chicken soup. "Don't put any pressure on yourself. You already have guaranteed admission anyway, and these three years have really worn you out.

"Get a good night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you shopping for some new clothes."

Seeing how happy my parents were, I was even more relieved that I hadn't told them what had happened outside the exam hall.

Suddenly, my phone started vibrating like crazy.

The class group chat was flooded with messages as everyone compared answers and estimated their scores.

Then Grayson posted a long message.

Grayson: [To celebrate the end of the exam, Camelia's family and mine are throwing a party tomorrow night, and we'd love for everyone to come celebrate together. You all have to be there!]

The group chat immediately exploded.

Todd Fielding: [Camelia and Gray are so generous!]

Faith Hill: [Is this an early celebration for you two getting into Mecham? So sweet!]

Brett Decker: [Wouldn't miss it! Wishing Camelia and our class heartthrob a long and happy life together!]

Amid the screen full of fawning flattery, Grayson suddenly tagged me.

Grayson: [@Clyde, you're coming tomorrow too, right?]

Grayson: [By the way, how come I didn't see you go into the exam hall for the last paper today, Combined Science?]

Grayson: [Why did you skip the exam? Were you not feeling well?]

I stared at the words on the screen and let out a cold laugh.

He knew perfectly well that Camelia had kept my admission ticket, yet he deliberately asked in front of the entire class why I'd skipped the exam.

I fired back without holding anything back.

Me: [Don't you already know why I didn't take the exam?]

The moment my message went out, a barrage of accusations came crashing down on me.

Faith: [Clyde, what's that supposed to mean? You skipped the exam yourself, and now you're blaming Grayson?]

Brett: [Seriously. Grayson was just showing concern for you. Why are you acting like you swallowed a stick of dynamite?]

Todd: [I've never liked you anyway. You think you're so great just because your grades are good, always clinging to Camelia.]

Todd: [Camelia and Grayson are a match made in heaven, but you insisted on getting between them. Now you botched the exam and bailed on it, and you're trying to drag Grayson's name through the mud?]