Chapter 2

"Hey. Wire me two grand."

Late November. Thanksgiving break. Felix was back stateside for two weeks to renew his US passport before heading back to Australia.

Felix's voice came through the phone like I owed him something.

No hello. No preamble.

I was sitting in Widener Library, pulling sources for a paper.

I flipped the phone onto speaker and tapped record.

"Who is this?"

"Don't play dumb — it's Felix!"

He clicked his tongue, annoyed.

"Naomi wants a dress. I'm a little short on cash."

"Send it over. Don't make me mad."

In my previous life, his tuition, his living expenses, even the presents he bought Naomi — all of it had come from me. Late-night tutoring gigs. Cash tucked into his wallet without a word, so I wouldn't hurt his pride.

This time, I just wanted to laugh.

"Felix. Are you panhandling?"

The line went dead for a beat.

Then he exploded.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! Two grand, that's all I asked for!"

"You used to fall over yourself throwing money at me. What's with the high-and-mighty act now?"

My voice stayed level.

"I used to be blind. My eyes are working again."

"If you call me begging one more time I'm filing a harassment report."

I hung up. Blocked his number.

One clean motion.

Captions drifted by.

[Satisfying. Finally quit being his personal ATM.]

[The gall on him — what'd he do to earn that tone?]

[Wait for it — he's about to drag his princess straight to Harvard Yard for a scene.]

[Brace yourselves, the side character's about to get ambushed.]

The captions cleared just as I was walking out of the dining hall with my tray.

Someone stepped into my path.

Felix, in a thin hoodie that had seen too many washes, planted himself in front of me.

Next to him, Naomi — doing her fragile-victim routine.

Naomi was in a new cashmere coat that clearly cost more than his entire wardrobe, a designer bag dangling from her wrist.

"You actually blocked my number?"

Felix's eyes were burning like I'd committed a capital crime.

Students nearby slowed to watch.

I kept my tray steady.

"Congrats on the gap year, flunk-out. You're blocking the trash bin."

Felix went pale with rage.

He grabbed my wrist. Harder than I expected.

"Cut the sarcasm!"

"You're just mad I picked Naomi over you!"

"Cutting off my allowance? What a cheap move!"

Naomi tucked herself behind him. Her eyes were red.

She looked frightened.

"Iris — please don't blame Felix. This is all my fault."

Her voice was small and watery.

"I know you love Felix, but feelings can't be forced. You can't cut him off just because you can't have him."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"So this is a love-turned-hate situation?"

"Cutting off his allowance — that's cold."

"Pretty girl, too. Who knew she was so vicious."

I looked at the two of them, playing off each other, and my patience snapped.

"Naomi. Are you out of your damn mind?"

I yanked my wrist out of Felix's grip.

"Is he my son? Why am I funding his lifestyle?"

"The two of you are dating. And you expect me to pick up the tab? Seriously?"

Felix shoved me.

I stumbled back. Leftover food almost tipped off my tray onto me.

"Take it up with me. Leave Naomi out of it!"

He was losing it.

"You think because you got into Harvard and your family is rich, you're better than her?! Naomi is worth ten of you!"

I looked at him — all lit up with his sense of righteousness.

I was one heartbeat from slapping him across the face.

And then a campus security officer came jogging over.

"What is going on here?! Are you two causing a disturbance?!"

She glared at me.

"Iris Fairfax. You. Dean's office. Now."

"You're making a spectacle of yourself!"

I took a long breath to push the heat back down.

Felix smirked at me.

"You'd better start behaving. Or I'll show up here every single day."