Chapter 3

When I woke up, I was lying in the school nurse's office.

The nurse said my blood sugar had dropped too low, but fortunately, I'd been brought in in time.

After finishing the juice box, I grabbed my phone.

I gathered my student ID card's transaction history, the cafeteria security footage, and the students' chat messages, then sent everything straight to the school board's complaint email.

Since Jamie was so eager to play the hero for Hannah, I figured I'd give him something real to handle.

Less than an hour later, the school issued a disciplinary notice.

"Students Jamie Murphy and Hannah Cole took Alice Thompson's student ID card without permission and used it to make purchases totaling more than 30 thousand dollars. They are required to repay the full amount and issue a public apology."

As soon as the notice went out, the whole school blew up.

"It's no wonder Hannah was treating the whole class to smoothies. She was spending Alice's money."

"Being poor doesn't give you the right to steal."

I scrolled through the school forum and finally felt a little better.

Technically, Hannah wasn't the one who had stolen my card. But wasn't she always saying she didn't blame me? Now it was her turn to see what it felt like to have everyone judge her without knowing the truth.

I hadn't even had a moment to enjoy it before the door slammed open.

Jamie stormed in and yanked the IV out of my hand. "You're coming with me!"

Blood welled up around the needle site, and I hissed in pain. "What's wrong with you?"

He grabbed me and pulled me off the bed. "Hannah's going to jump!"

I froze. "What does that have to do with me?"

"If you hadn't reported us, would the whole school be calling her a thief right now?"

He dragged me toward the door.

My legs were still weak, and I stumbled along behind him as he hauled me outside.

Ms. Gilbert was waiting in the hallway. Instead of stopping him, she hurried me along. "Alice, Hannah is extremely emotional right now. Get over there and apologize to her."

I stared at her in disbelief. "Apologize for what?"

By the time Jamie dragged me to the school rooftop, a crowd had already gathered below.

Hannah was standing at the edge, tears streaming down her face. "Stay back, all of you! My family may be poor, but I've never stolen anything!"

Jamie immediately shoved me to the front and whispered in my ear, "Tell everyone you misunderstood Hannah about the card, then apologize for breaking the headphones."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Jamie, you're the one who stole my card and used it. If anyone needs to apologize, it's you."

His expression hardened. Then, as if he'd suddenly thought of something, he lifted his chin, looking smug.

"Alice, I know you've had a crush on me since we were children. You made all this fuss purely because you can't stand seeing me treat Hannah well."

I stared at him and almost burst out laughing.

Jamie and I had grown up together. Our families lived close to each other when we were kids, and Dad always said that Jamie did well in school.

Back then, I wanted him to tutor me, so I used to chase after him with my homework. Somehow, this absolute clown took that as me having a crush on him.

Jamie continued talking with complete confidence. "Just talk Hannah down off the ledge, and I'll give you a chance to date me."

I couldn't take it anymore and sneered, "Jamie, why don't you go back to the nurse's office and get your head checked?"

A few people around us snickered.

Jamie's face darkened with anger.

Hannah, however, cried even harder. "Stop fighting! This is all my fault. I shouldn't have made Alice feel threatened just because I always came first."

Ms. Gilbert anxiously shoved me forward. "Alice! Someone could die here. Would it kill you to just say you're sorry?"

I stumbled from the push, and my temper flared. "Fine! Hannah didn't steal my card. I can clear that up. But..."

I locked eyes with Hannah, who was standing right at the edge of the roof. "But I didn't break her headphones. I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do!"

Hannah suddenly swayed. Everyone gasped.

Her eyes were red as she reached out to me. "Alice, come here. I know you hate me because of Jamie. But I never meant to steal him from you."

She was crying so hard that she looked like she could barely stay on her feet. "Will you only believe me if I jump?"

Ms. Gilbert kept urging me forward.

I swallowed my anger and walked toward the edge.

Unexpectedly, Hannah grabbed my wrist. Tears still clung to her lashes, but the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

A wave of dread went through me.

Her fingers suddenly tightened around my wrist. Shielding us from everyone's view, she violently shoved me over the edge!