Moonspeckled
On the day we finish our SATs, my snobbish deskmate, Ava Levine, insists that we film a graduation confession video together.
I reluctantly agree out of courtesy, but to our surprise, the video goes viral overnight.
Hooked on her newfound fame, she forces her way into my home and demands that I give up my spot at a top university to become an influencer with her.
When I refuse, she starts a livestream at midnight, drawing an audience of a hundred thousand. With fake bruises painted on her body, she bursts into tears and accuses me of sexually assaulting her after I pretend to confess my feelings for her. She also claims that I hold her captive and abuse her.
Her fanatical fans dox me overnight. They splatter red paint across my home and send me razor blades in the mail.
In the ensuing chaos, one of her fans pushes my mom down the stairs, taking her life instantly. Before I can even clear my name, a speeding car runs me over on my way to the police station.
A wave of excruciating pain tears through me. Then, my eyes snap open.
I'm back on the day our exams are over, just as Ava holds up her phone and pleads, "Just pretend to say yes, please. I'm begging you."