Chapter 4

Before I knew it, the day of the deadline arrived. I was fast asleep in my hotel room when Mom called. "Frankie, the deadline's tonight. Log into your account again just to be safe. Don't let anything go wrong.

"Last year, a student's college preferences were tampered with by a relative and changed to a vocational college! Go check yours right now."

I hadn't told anyone my username or password, so it should have been impossible for my college preferences to be altered. Still, I pulled out my laptop to double-check just in case.

However, when I logged in and looked at the screen, I was dumbstruck. Meridian College, the college I had initially selected, had somehow been changed to an obscure vocational college.

My heart almost leaped out of my chest, and I couldn't help but thank Mom. I immediately changed my college preferences back. I called Mom and Dad to break the news, and they were just as shaken. Yet, they calmed down in no time and reminded me to change my account password and keep it strictly to myself.

Moments later, Dad sent me an IP address. The moment I saw it, everything clicked. Sure enough, it was that bitch, Sasha, who had attempted to drag me down with her.

Most of my passwords were related to my birthday. So, she must've figured out my password and changed my college preferences.

Fortunately, Mom was one step ahead, and I managed to change them back in time. Even though I was abroad at the time, I wanted nothing more than to fly back and murder that bitch.

I canceled all my plans for the day and stayed in my hotel room, keeping an eye on the website until the deadline, afraid that something might go wrong again. The second the clock hit 12, I breathed a sigh of relief.

However, before I could even catch my breath, my phone chimed. Ethan sent me two photos.

The first one was a screenshot of my college preferences. "Since you can't afford to attend Meridian College, I did you a favor and changed it to a vocational college. The tuition is cheaper there, which is perfect for a broke loser like you!"

The second photo showed him and Sasha locked in a passionate kiss. "I've got Sasha to thank for this. If it weren't for her, I'd never have known your password."

I took one look at the messages and blocked him. I'd already changed my preferences back. Plus, these idiots wouldn't be gloating for much longer.

…

It was a monumental achievement to get into Meridian College. The day before we were supposed to pick up our acceptance letters, Mr. Sterling told me to come to school to collect mine the next day so everyone could bask in the spotlight with me.

I did as I was told. Yet, when I arrived at school, I noticed quite a crowd had already gathered.

"What are you doing here?" someone jeered. "We're picking up our Meridian College acceptance letters today. The vocational college ones won't be ready until next month."

A wave of malicious laughter immediately swept through the crowd.

"Forget it. Let him stick around. At least he can see what a Meridian College acceptance letter looks like. This is probably the only chance he'll ever get to see one in his entire life."

Their taunts didn't faze me in the slightest. After all, the truth would be revealed in a moment.

Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "The acceptance letters are here!"

Everyone turned to look outside, only to see Mr. Sterling walking toward us with an acceptance letter in his hand.

"Why is there only one? Didn't everyone in our class get into Meridian College?" Sasha was the first to rush forward. "Why is there only one acceptance letter, Mr. Sterling? Where are the rest? Are there too many? I can help you!"

Even though Mr. Sterling was holding a Meridian College acceptance letter, his expression was grim. "What on earth is wrong with all of you? I checked with the administration, and none of you were accepted!"