Under a Borrowed Name

I stared at the word "angel" on my screen and swallowed guiltily.

"Really? Rich people are the worst. What did she do to you?"

Elliot Pierce answered almost immediately.

"She drove through a puddle on purpose and soaked me. It's fine. The shirt will wash."

I pouted and typed furiously. "You're way too patient. I'd have taken the shirt off and thrown it in her face."

"She's not worth arguing with. Money is all she has. Honestly, she's kind of pathetic."

Pathetic?

I stared at the word until I nearly crushed my phone.

I was beautiful, wealthy, and had enough admirers to fill the entire Brightwater campus. How dare he call me pathetic?

I fought the urge to throw my phone across the room.

"You're right. We may be broke, but at least we have dignity."

"By the way, Molly, you moved into college today too, right? How is it?"

"Great! Brightwater University's library is enormous. It's way bigger than the one back in my little hometown."

The moment I sent it, I froze.

My fake backstory said I was a top student from an isolated mountain town who had only qualified for a modest college in the neighboring state.

The chat stayed silent for a full minute.

My heart climbed into my throat.

Then Elliot sent a voice message. He sounded puzzled.

"You got into Brightwater? I thought you said your scores would only get you into the school across the state line."

Panic hit. My mind raced for an explanation.

"I'm sorry. I hid my real scores because I wanted to surprise you. I applied to Brightwater without telling anyone, and I moved in today."

"Why would you hide that from me?"

"Because... I was afraid I wouldn't get in and you'd be disappointed." The lie nearly stuck in my throat.

Elliot went quiet again.

"Since we're at the same school, let's meet tomorrow night. Dinner is on me. We can celebrate."

Meet him?

I shot upright in bed.

Absolutely not. The second he saw the real me, my entire disguise would collapse.

"You don't have to! I'm looking for a part-time job tomorrow night, so I'll be busy."

"There are plenty of scams around campus. Have dinner with me first. This weekend, I'll help you find a safe job."

His tone left no room to refuse.

I stared at the screen in despair.

I had set the trap and stepped straight into it.

The next evening, I stood before a closet packed with designer clothes and had no idea what to wear.

My roommate, Tessa Monroe, watched me tear through hangers and asked nervously, "Sienna, what are you looking for?"

My gaze landed on her faded T-shirt.

"Tessa, lend me some clothes."

Once I changed, I studied myself in the mirror.

Faded T-shirt, baggy sweatpants, canvas sneakers. Something was still missing.

I was still far too pretty.

Grimacing, I ordered a cheap black wig with blunt bangs through same-day delivery, along with the heaviest black-framed glasses I could find.

No makeup. No lipstick. I even darkened my complexion with bronzer.

Perfect.

Looking like an entirely different person, I slipped out of the dorm as if I were committing a crime.

Elliot had told me to meet him at the main gate.

I spotted him from far away. He looked as cool and distant as ever, standing out without even trying.

I took a deep breath, shuffled over, and tugged lightly on his sleeve.

"E-Elliot..."

He turned. The instant he saw my face, his brows drew together.

"You're... Molly Reed?"

I nodded so hard my neck hurt, my palms slick with sweat.

He stared at me for ten long seconds until my skin began to crawl.