Chapter 2

"We should help each other out."

I knew those words too well.

In my last life, they were exactly what convinced me.

Natalie was my best friend. My family owned a hotel. Why shouldn't I help?

So I did.

And what did I get?

The bell rang.

I didn't answer her.

Instead, I picked up my textbook and moved across the room to an empty desk in the back row.

Natalie turned and looked at me.

I lowered my head and opened my book.

Our Language Arts teacher came in and started going over final essay strategies.

I didn't hear a word.

Anger and hurt burned in my chest all morning.

Every time I looked up and saw those familiar faces, I remembered their silence online.

Fifty faces.

I studied them one by one.

Not a single person had defended us.

When the lunch bell rang, the room exploded into noise.

People packed their bags, made cafeteria plans, and argued about the afternoon practice tests.

I deliberately took my time.

Sure enough, the complaining started.

"The school housing is on the east side, and the testing center is on the west side. We'll have to get up at six. That's like an hour less sleep."

Ryan Cole, a guy in the third row, slung his backpack over one shoulder and made sure everyone could hear him.

"Exactly," Sophie Collins said. "The dorms are noisy too. Somebody's always snoring. I already have trouble sleeping. If I don't sleep the night before the exam, I'm dead."

Sophie was famous for being a light sleeper. On our last school trip, she'd spent the entire night complaining about the air conditioner in the next room.

"I wish we could each get our own hotel room," Noah Walker said, leaning back in his chair. "Quiet room. No roommates. Sleep whenever you want."

"Seriously."

Emma Turner dropped her textbook onto her desk.

"The bigger problem is that most of the hotels are too far from the testing center. Even a rideshare takes fifteen minutes right now. During exam traffic? Who knows.

"What if you're late?"

"If only there was a hotel right next to the testing center."

"Yeah. Like five minutes away."

One by one, their eyes drifted toward me.

I kept my head down and pretended to zip my backpack.

I knew they were watching.

I pretended I hadn't heard a thing and walked out through the side aisle.