LOGINA few other teachers came over to smooth things over, saying we were all classmates and there was no need to take things this far.I pulled my wrist free from Sara and took out the Harvorton University application form I had printed earlier. It had the official admissions office stamp on it.I handed it to the head of the school administration and spoke calmly. "My application was submitted and confirmed three days ago. My acceptance letter from Harvorton University will be mailed to my house next month. There's no way anyone can change it now."I glanced at the families crowding around me and begging me to let this go. My voice turned firm. "As for settling this privately, that's not happening. Tampering with my college application is a serious matter. Destroying my application materials and stealing my scholarship money are serious offences too. "I'll see this through legally. Liam and Summer will pay back what they owe and face the consequences of what they did."I finished
When I reached the stage, I heard Summer still crying into the microphone."Aster, please forgive us. I'll beg if I have to."I paused as I stepped onto the stairs and looked up at her with a faint smirk. Even if she did beg me today, I still wouldn't forgive her.I walked onto the stage without looking at Summer, who was sobbing beside me. I ignored Liam, who was still crouched on the floor with his face covered.I headed straight for the projector and plugged in the flash drive.I picked up the microphone. My voice was quiet, but everyone in the auditorium heard me clearly. "Save the tears. I have a few more things to show everyone before we talk about forgiveness."The screen flickered twice, and the first thing that appeared was the complete high-definition recording of Liam changing my college application.It showed even more than the version the school administration had played earlier. His mocking laugh after entering the password came through loud and clear."Aster's su
Liam's mom, Sara Jenkins, finally realized what was happening. She screamed as she rushed onto the stage and slapped him across the face. "Look what you've done! You've humiliated our whole family!"Summer sat in the front row, staring at the footage of herself throwing away the materials. She shook with fear as she grabbed her bag, trying to run.The moment she stood up, two school administrators stopped her. Summer's face had turned deathly pale.The whole auditorium erupted, with voices rising all around me.The parents who had praised Liam for being devoted were now calling him a disgrace. The female students who had been cheering hardest for us were now calling him a liar.Liam crouched onstage with his hand over his face, too ashamed to even look up.I leaned back in my chair and took a slow sip of my soda. Then I handed Mom the Harvorton University application form I had already filled out and said with a smile, "See, Mom? I haven't lost my mind. I filled out my applicat
The screens on both sides of the stage suddenly switched to a close-up of my face, and everyone turned to look at me.Mom was sitting beside me, and she almost spilled her drink.Liam stood onstage, looking pleased as everyone cheered.He kept on talking, his voice full of affection. "A lot of people ask why I didn't go to a bigger city after winning the state competition. Aster and I agreed a long time ago that we'd stay here and go to the same college."She's always had a hard time adjusting to new places. I don't feel comfortable with her going away on her own. If we stay here, I can be with her every day. "We'll get engaged during our sophomore year and get married after graduation. I've already talked it over with my parents, and they're even looking at houses for us."The crowd grew even louder. People started shouting for us to get together and kiss.Summer was sitting in the front row. She even stood up to applaud, wearing a gracious smile as if she wasn't jealous at al
The whole classroom fell silent. Everyone turned to look at us, and the smile on Liam's face froze.He tried to play dumb. "What's wrong, Ms. Bale? Is this about the college Aster picked? She chose Creston University herself. I can prove it.""Can you?" Lisa gave a short laugh. She raised the tablet in her hand and projected it onto the big screen at the front of the classroom.The screen displayed a notice the state education department had just posted, with a bright red title that was hard to look at."Notice Regarding Liam Zimmerman's Suspected Unauthorized Changes to Aster Sullivan's College Application."Below it was the full recording of Liam changing my college application yesterday. His cloud account also showed how he cheated and took someone else's spot in a competition.Screenshots covered most of the screen. Even the document excerpt where he mocked me for being Summer's stand-in was right there in plain sight.The stuffed toy slipped from Summer's hands and hit the
I walked to my seat without a word. As I passed Liam, he reached out to pull out a chair for me, wearing a gentle smile.He looked nothing like the man who collapsed onto the floor yesterday, crying and begging me to let him go."Aster, what took you so long? I saved you a seat. My parents will be here soon, and they want to talk to your mom about our engagement," he said.The room erupted in teasing, but I ignored him.As soon as I sat down, I saw Summer walk in holding a stuffed bunny. She came straight to my desk, her eyes red-rimmed as if she had just been crying.She reached for my wrist, her voice soft and sweet. "Aster, I heard you gave up going to Harvorton University just for Liam. I'm really touched."She looked up, a tear still clinging to the corner of her eye. She looked utterly miserable. "I was worried Liam would have no one to keep him company if you went out of state. Don't worry. The three of us are going to have a great time at Creston University."I told Liam







