Chapter 1

Today was the first day we could submit our college applications.

Our school advisor stood at the front of the computer lab and slapped the desk to emphasize each word. "Set your own initial password and college applications. Log in and submit them yourselves. Nobody touches anyone else's account!"

Every year, students made mistakes with their applications, so this year, the school had specifically called us all back and arranged for everyone to submit their applications on campus.

In my previous life, this was where I revealed my login password and set off the tragedy that would ultimately destroy my life.

The thought sent a cold sweat down my back.

I opened the website and immediately turned sideways, using the oversized sleeve of my jacket to block the screen completely.

"Naomi, why are you hiding it so carefully?" A voice suddenly came from beside me, and my hand jerked.

The cursor slipped away from where I'd intended to click.

"Seriously? You're acting like you're guarding a vault."

I turned around.

Megan was looking at me from the side, disdain curling her lips.

She had scored just one point below me in the entire school. That single point put her outside the number of spots Lintdon University had allocated to students from our state.

If I got in, there would be absolutely no chance she could attend Lintdon.

That was why, after what happened in my previous life, she was the first person I suspected.

However, the evidence the police found couldn't be faked. She hadn't left her house at all during the three days after we submitted our applications.

After the technicians recovered the data, they also discovered no record of her phone, tablet, or computer accessing the college application website.

Everything pointed to the same conclusion: she really hadn't done it.

If it wasn't her, then who was it?

I looked away and continued shielding the password field firmly with my arm.

"The school advisor said we're supposed to keep it private." My voice remained calm.

Megan scoffed and stood up. "What an act. Just because I'm one point behind you doesn't mean I can't get into Lintdon.

"And I certainly wouldn't need to steal your application information and change your preferences. Stop assuming the worst about people."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried far enough for half the computer lab to hear.

She rolled her eyes, straightened her back, and walked out of the computer lab with her head held high.

I ignored her mocking words and focused on the schools and programs listed on my screen. I checked each one carefully.

School codes… Program codes… Order… Everything was correct.

I logged out of the system and shut down the computer. This time, absolutely no one had seen my login password.

…

On my way home, a familiar figure suddenly stopped me in my tracks.

It was Daniel Hayes, my childhood sweetheart. We had grown up together, and he had gotten into Lintdon the year before.

Just last night, when I checked my SAT score, he had messaged me and said he was in Benton working on an experiment. So why was he here now?

I said nothing and followed him from a distance.

He turned into a narrow alley.

I moved closer and kept against the wall. I cautiously peeked around the corner, then immediately held my breath.

He wasn't alone.

Megan stood in front of him, her tone casual. "Daniel, you know Naomi's application password, right?"

Daniel hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Megan's eyes lit up.

A terrible feeling rose in my chest.

Sure enough, she spoke again. "Then help me change Naomi's first-choice school. Let me get into Lintdon. Please?"

Her voice was as casual as if she were deciding what to have for dinner that night.

I stared at Daniel.

Thankfully, he frowned and shook his head. "Megan, I can't do that."

Megan's smile instantly turned cold.