Chapter 3

Leo said, "Mila, my classmates told me Jared's working multiple part-time jobs."

Mila replied with a question mark.

Right after that, Leo commented. "Is he trying to save up for that exchange program? Ugh, it's all our fault. If it weren't for what happened that day, Jared wouldn't have stormed out and ended up suffering out there.

"Should we help him? He's all by himself. What if someone takes advantage of him, knowing he needs money?"

Many of our mutual friends liked that comment, making it especially hard to look at.

I stared at the message and noted how the fake concern was practically dripping off the screen. I calmly finished the last bite of my sandwich.

He always had a way of making himself look completely innocent while somehow smearing me in the process.

Stormed out? Desperate for money?

With just a few casual words, he'd turned all my hard work and determination into some pathetic little act vying for sympathy.

Mila had obviously bought it.

Just as I'd expected, my phone vibrated, and a notification popped out, telling me that Mila had transferred 10,000 dollars to me.

Then, her message came in, dripping with contempt. "Short on money? Is this little pity act of yours supposed to get you something? Name your price."

I put my phone away, ignoring the money, and continued my delivery job the next day.

…

On the day of the anonymous showcase, my design, "Coming Home", was projected onto the big screen.

Seth sounded excited, and his voice echoed through the lecture hall. "This piece has a certain spark to it, but more than that, it has heart. The creator wasn't trying to show off their skills, yet every line tells a story of its own."

The room went quiet for a moment, then everyone started talking at once.

I sat in the corner, gripping my pen with a sweaty palm.

This was the path I'd built for myself, one line at a time, through countless sleepless nights. Now, I finally felt like it was ready to lead me somewhere new.

The final list would be announced the following evening.

The night before, I'd finished one last check of every detail. Just as I was about to save the final version, my laptop screen suddenly went blue. A bunch of weird symbols filled the screen. The fan stopped, and the faint hum of the hard drive disappeared too.

For a moment, I just sat there in stunned silence. It felt like all the strength had left my body. I slumped back in my chair, my mind going blank.

I restarted my laptop multiple times, but nothing worked. The blue screen stared back at me.

All my design files, all my materials, everything I'd worked so hard to create with the money I earned delivering food, were all gone.

A bone-deep chill traveled from the soles of my feet to the crown of my head as I suddenly recalled the cruel look I'd seen on Leo's face at the showcase.

I jumped to my feet, grabbed my jacket, and charged back to Parker Manor.

I kicked open Leo's bedroom door.

My sudden intrusion startled Leo. He was drinking a Coke and lounging comfortably on his bed as he scrolled on his tablet.

My voice shook badly when I spoke. "What did you do?"

Leo looked up innocently. "Jared, what's wrong? Who upset you?"

"My laptop." I fixed my eyes on him. "My files."

Leo let out a little laugh, as if I'd just told him the funniest joke in the world. "Jared, what are you talking about? What does that have to do with me?"

My parents and Mila came running over upon hearing the commotion. They found me standing there, furious, while Leo looked like he was about to cry.

Delilah immediately pulled Leo behind her, glaring at me. "Jared, are you insane? Why did you barge into his room in the middle of the night? What are you up to? Leo's health isn't good. Are you trying to scare him to death?"

Mitchell snapped, "This is ridiculous! Apologize to Leo right now!"