Chapter 3

I took a deep breath and quickly picked up my phone.

The screen was black, and the display was completely shattered.

"You did that on purpose?" I narrowed my eyes and looked up at Lewis.

He immediately jerked his hand back and shrank away. "I... I was only trying to apologize..."

Cerys rushed over and pulled him behind her. "What are you making a fuss about now? He came over to apologize out of kindness. You didn't hold it properly yourself, and now you're blaming him? When did you become so mean?"

She shouted the accusation angrily at me, and the surrounding students quickly gathered around.

"You're getting worse and worse. You couldn't hold onto your own phone, and now you're blaming someone else."

"Maybe the test center issue was the same thing."

"Mrs. Williamson already posted the electronic version of the assignments in the class group chat before Lewis organized anything. Someone as petty as Finley definitely saw it. He probably knew his test center was different from ours and kept quiet on purpose so he could dump the blame on Lewis today."

"And he's supposed to be a Rutledge? What a joke."

Lewis stood with his head lowered and sobbed softly while Cerys kept an arm around his shoulders.

My own anger finally surged to the surface, and I held up the destroyed phone screen for everyone to see.

"If I had dropped it on my own, maybe it would've gotten a scratch or two. Do you really think it would've ended up shattered like this? You didn't even stop to think before taking his side?"

Cerys's face turned livid. "Finley! That's enough! Apologize to Lewis right now. If he chooses to forgive you, then fine. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next!"

I looked at the way she was standing up for Lewis and couldn't help laughing.

"The fault isn't mine. Why should I apologize? And what exactly are you going to do if I don't?"

She clenched her fists but couldn't come up with an answer.

There were too many people watching. Even if she genuinely believed she was in the right, she couldn't exactly hit me.

The standoff continued until the bus driver leaned out the window.

"Are we leaving or not? If we wait any longer, nobody's making it into the test center on time!"

The words hit the crowd like a thunderclap. Everyone immediately panicked.

"If we're late, we're done for! The exam won't wait for us!"

"Finley, just because you're a top student doesn't mean you can drag the rest of us down with you!"

The class president hurried over to smooth things out. "Stop arguing. If we waste any more time, nobody in the class will get to take the exam.

"Cerys, take Lewis and get on the bus. We're heading to Westhaven.

"Finley, find your own way to Eastbrook. Hurry up."

While the others scrambled toward the buses, I suddenly spoke up, "My phone is damaged now. How exactly am I supposed to call a ride? Cerys, you—"

Before I could finish, she cut me off with a cold stare. "Finley, unless you apologize to Lewis, there's no way I'm lending you my phone."

My heart sank. I shoved the broken phone back into my bag.

She wasn't the only person with a phone. The exam mattered most. I'd figure something else out.

Lewis's shoulders trembled as he spoke in a small voice, "Finley, what if I pay for your phone? Don't make everyone late for their exams.

"This one was bought before my family lost everything. It's old, but it still works. If you don't want it, I can pay you back for the rest in installments..."

His eyes were red, as though it had taken every ounce of courage he had to say the words.

Cerys exploded immediately, "He's already humiliated himself enough, and you're still pushing him? Your monthly allowance is enough to buy ten phones like that! Why are you insisting he pay for it?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Did I say a single word? He's the one who offered to pay. How is that my fault too?"

Her expression darkened even further. Every one of her words seemed squeezed through clenched teeth.

"Finley, do you have any conscience at all?

"Ever since Lewis's family fell apart, he hasn't even been able to afford his tutoring fees. Yet you're still standing here making things difficult for him. You don't need the money. You're clearly doing this on purpose just to humiliate him."

Then she drew a sharp breath and raised her voice, "I already gave you plenty of chances, but you keep targeting Lewis over and over again.

"So let me make this official. Our engagement is over. No matter how much you beg me in the future, I will never change my mind."

The students both on and off the buses immediately started whispering among themselves.

"Wait, seriously? Finley and Cerys were engaged?"