Chapter 1

I watched the insults in the class group chat spiral out of control and hurried to type a reply.

[You guys have it all wrong! I passed out from low blood sugar, and the coffee shop owner gave me that coffee! I didn't pay for it!]

Brooke Rulin, the class queen bee, chimed in with what sounded like an attempt to calm everyone down.

[Come on, guys, don't be so harsh. Maybe Patty really does have her reasons. And she has the right to enjoy life, too… Though… financial aid is meant for people who genuinely need it…]

[Still sticking up for the liar? You're just too nice, Brooke.]

Before I could type out another word, Chuck Grabeel, our class president, jumped in with a sarcastic jab.

[Patty, if you have too much money left over from your financial aid, you can always donate it to someone else. Playing the victim for financial aid on one hand while going to coffee shops to splurge every day is pretty hypocritical.]

Chuck had the hots for Brooke, so naturally, whatever she said was right.

The rest of the class quickly piled on.

[The lies just roll off her tongue. Who faints from low blood sugar and can still leisurely drink coffee?]

[No wonder she managed to get the grant. Her lying skills are top-notch!]

Brooke followed up almost immediately.

[Patty, as long as you admit your mistake, we'll all forgive you. Everyone gets greedy sometimes. You just need to stop making mistake after mistake.]

Forgive me? But I hadn't even done anything wrong!

Everyone was just letting her dictate the narrative, condemning me without rhyme or reason.

My fingers trembled as I typed.

[That's not what happened at all!]

She replied instantly with a voice message, her voice quivering with tears.

"I was only trying to help. I was worried everyone was being too harsh on you. My family struggles financially, too, but I've never even applied for financial aid. I don't understand why you're targeting me like this…"

The moment her message ended, classmates in the chat rushed in to berate me.

[Unbelievable. Brooke was just being nice, and you snapped at her like that?]

[She was trying to mediate out of the kindness of her heart, and you turn around and attack her? What kind of person does that?]

Chuck was furious.

[You're the one who scammed your way into financial aid, and you still think you're in the right? Give up that spot so Brooke can have it!]

Right then, a message popped up from Tanner Rickshaw, our academic advisor, tagging everyone.

[Everyone, report to the classroom for a meeting.]

Taking a deep breath, I forced down the emotions churning inside me and headed to the classroom.

When I pushed open the door, I found the entire class already inside.

Tanner stood at the front, his expression livid. The moment he saw me walk in, he thrust a printed sheet of paper toward me.

I looked down. It was titled "Statement Regarding the Improper Use of Financial Aid."

"Patty," he began sternly. "In your financial aid application, you stated that your family's monthly income is under 500 dollars, and that you face severe financial hardship."

"Yet now, your classmates have provided evidence that you spend 150 dollars a month at coffee shops, indulging yourself. This incident has had a very serious impact, and the college is treating it as a matter of serious concern."

"You'll need to write a thorough statement of self-reflection and admit your wrongdoing. Then I might handle this leniently."

My heart sank.

Tanner hadn't even asked a single question before deciding I was guilty. He didn't care whether his student was wrongfully accused. He only cared about taking the easy way out and avoiding any trouble for himself.

I looked at them and repeated myself, enunciating every word clearly.

"I didn't break any rules. I work a part-time job at a coffee shop. I fainted from low blood sugar, and the owner gave me that cup of coffee.

"If you all don't believe me, I can call him right now, and you can verify it for yourselves!"