บททั้งหมดของ Born Above His Reach: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 9

I leaned against the cold wall, memories from the past three years flashing through my mind like a film reel.Back in freshman year, Blake Romero had sat next to me in class.I was known around school as the untouchable top student. He, on the other hand, was just average.During a school hiking trip in the second half of sophomore year, I got lost in the woods.Blake was the one who found me, drenched in sweat, the soles of his shoes worn thin from running around.He pulled me into his arms, his voice trembling as he said, "Samantha, I was going crazy trying to find you."He took advantage of that moment alone and told me how he felt.After spending two years around him, I did have feelings for him, too.So I made him a deal. If he could get into the same college as me, I would be his girlfriend.To make that happen, I stayed after school every day to tutor him. With my help, his grades shot up in just a year, landing him steadily in the top ten.We promised each other we wo

Maeve stood up slowly, looking fragile and wronged. "Samantha, I'm sorry. This is my fault."I didn't even look at her. I just kept packing my things, irritation building in my chest.Blake hurried over to comfort her, then turned to me. "Don't blame her. I brought her here."Maeve's gaze lingered on my stack of materials, something sharp flickering in her eyes."Samantha… Since you're not taking the exam this year, you won't need these anymore, right? My family can't afford these hardcover prep books. Could you give them to me? You're repeating the year, anyway. You can just buy new ones later."She said it so naturally, as if everything I owned was already hers.I looked at that innocent, harmless face of hers and let out a quiet, humorless laugh. I lifted the backpack stuffed with rare prep books and my handwritten notes."These are mine. Why should I give them to you?"Right in front of them, I dumped everything into the trash can, not hesitating for a second.Maeve's ey

Blake froze, as if he had been struck by lightning.He stared at the notice, his eyes wide and almost bloodshot.[Samantha Bax has been admitted to Whitford University through Early Decision, with a declared major in Artificial Intelligence.]Those words hit him like a slap across the face."No… That's impossible…" he muttered under his breath. The roses slipped from his hand, petals scattering across the floor. "She promised she'd stay back with me… She said she would…"Maeve went still for a second, then rushed forward with a sharp cry to look at the notice herself.The students gathered nearby gasped, then broke into hushed whispers."So Samantha got early admission? That's insane.""Then what was Blake doing just now? Who was that show for?""God, that's embarrassing! I'd disappear on the spot."Blake stood there, staring at my name, his whole body shaking. Only then did he understand why I had been so quiet this past month.He suddenly bolted out of the office like he h

Life at Arrington University wasn't anything like Maeve had imagined.Back in high school, she had barely made it in with Blake's help. Now, facing college-level classes, she couldn't keep up at all.By midterms, she had already failed three courses.Her academic advisor called her in and hinted that if things didn't improve, she could be asked to leave.Maeve panicked.Out of habit, she went to Blake, hoping he would tutor her like before.But now, he didn't even want to look at her.Blake wasn't doing much better.Back in high school, he had been one of the standout students, always in the top ten. At Arrington University, surrounded by people just as strong or stronger, he didn't stand out at all.And his mind wasn't on school anymore, anyway. He spent his days obsessively checking my social media.He watched videos of me speaking as a freshman representative at Whitford University's opening ceremony.He saw photos of me traveling overseas with my advisor for top academic

After Blake returned to school, he completely gave up on himself.He stopped going to class and spent his days hiding out in internet cafés, playing games, or drinking himself numb at bars.When he ran out of money, he started taking out campus loans.The interest piled up fast, and before long, he owed more than he could handle. Debt collectors showed up on campus, even blocking him at the classroom doors.His reputation collapsed completely.By the second semester of sophomore year, with too many absences and crushing debt, Arrington University officially expelled him.The day he was kicked out, it was raining.He dragged his worn-out suitcase and stood on the street, completely lost.Then he saw Maeve not far away.She had been expelled, too.She had been skipping classes for a long time, working as a hostess for wealthy men off campus, and the school eventually found out.Now, she was dressed in revealing clothes, heavy makeup on her face, her arm looped around a middle-