Jersey Wind
After the college entrance exam results are released, my childhood best friend, Lucille Kirk, and I celebrate with our families at a five-star hotel.
Over dinner, our parents talk about how nice it would be if we applied to the same university. That way, we can continue looking out for each other, just as we have while growing up.
I glance across the table at Lucille and ask politely, "Lucille, which university are you planning to apply to?"
The moment the words leave my mouth, a flood of comments suddenly flashes before my eyes.
"Oh, here we go again. I bet this pathetic second male lead is planning to follow the female lead to the same university."
"I feel so bad for the female lead. She's had to put up with this guy clinging to her for three whole years just to keep the peace between their families."
"Don't worry. The female lead has already agreed to attend Aurelia University with the male lead, Sawyer Spencer. She's definitely going to name some school on the other side of the country just to get this guy off her back. I can't wait to see his face when she does!"
Lucille stares at me, her brows furrowed. Then she lets out a cold, dismissive laugh.
"Clement Carnegie, where I go has nothing to do with you. I'm applying to South Coast University, all the way across the country. That place isn't suitable for you."
I meet her gaze and nod, as if I couldn't care less.
Then I turn to the girl standing quietly in the corner of the private dining room, silently holding the Kirk family's coats and car keys.
"Mabel, which university do you want to apply to?" I ask. "I want to go to the same one as you."
The sneer on Lucille's face instantly freezes.
Both our families stare at us in shock.
None of them knows that the timid girl with the cheap hearing aid—the one Lucille constantly calls "dummy"—is actually the long-lost daughter of Aurelia's wealthiest family. They have been searching for her for 18 years.
And all these years, the reason I keep showing up at the Kirk Manor has never been because I'm chasing Lucille.
I only go there so I can see that "dummy" a little more often.