I even chose the STEM track, which I've always hated, just to be in the same classes as you.

And it turned out I was wrong.

I didn't reply. Just as I was putting my phone down, another message came in.

It was from Leo Knight, the guy who terrified even the toughest kids from other schools.

But this same person had just sent me several pictures of cute Hello Kitty designs.

"Would this work for the helmet design?"

I couldn't help but laugh, texting back that they were all fine. My phone went silent after that.

The next morning, before Julian arrived, I went to his house.

Not for him, but for the puppy I had rescued and left in his care.

I didn't expect to walk in on Julian and Flora playing with the dog. And she was wearing my pajamas.

Seeing me appear so suddenly, even Julian looked flustered for a rare moment and rushed to explain.

"Flora's home is way out in the suburbs. Everyone stayed out too late last night, so she crashed here—"

"Do whatever you want."

I cut him off, not caring in the slightest. I gestured to my little Frenchie, and he immediately came running, tail wagging.

I packed up all his things: his food, his bed, his toys.

"Oh, by the way."

Before I left, I smiled at the housekeeper.

"Could you please throw out everything that belongs to me? Or you can just let that young lady take it home with her. She loves other people's things, after all."

I hadn't even made it to the door before Julian's angry voice followed me.

"Willow, apologize! And check that princess attitude! Did your parents not teach you any respect?"

My eyes shot daggers at him, and he finally realized what he'd said.

My parents had died in a car crash years ago. It was just my grandfather and me.

He rushed over, trying to hug me, but I shoved him away forcefully.

"Why should I apologize? When you give my things away, it's fine. But when I do it, it's an insult? What kind of logic is that?"

"You!"

The flicker of guilt he'd felt vanished. Before Julian could say another word, Flora gently covered his mouth with her hand.

"Don't say any more. It's all my fault. You were up all night taking care of me after I got drunk. You didn't get enough rest, you shouldn't get angry."

Then, she looked at me with tears in her eyes and bowed deeply.

"I'm sorry, Willow. I know a poor girl like me can never compare to you. I'll leave right now."

I hugged my puppy and let out a cynical laugh, a wave of disgust washing over me.

Disgust not just for this manipulative, fake-innocent girl, but for the blind, arrogant, self-righteous Julian.

"You're wrong. You're not just poor. You're more like a sewer rat, born with a talent for coveting what belongs to others."

I turned on my heel, ignoring the sound of crying coming from inside the mansion.

After getting the puppy settled, I remembered I still hadn't submitted my college application. On a whim, I sent a text to Leo Knight.

"What school are you applying to?"

He replied almost instantly. "Oceanview."

I didn't say much, just texted back "okay" and changed my application to Oceanview University before submitting it.

I was about to go downstairs to tell my grandfather when I saw Julian and Flora walk in, holding a bouquet of lilies.

My temples throbbed. I rushed down the stairs.

"Get out of my house!"

Hearing my tone, Julian's temper finally snapped.

"Willow! How did you become like this?"