Chapter 2: Accusations and Secrets

Chloe froze, her mouth hanging open. It took a few seconds for her to snap back, blurting, “Are you kidding? Even lying has its limits! You’re a liberal arts student—the state’s top scorer only got 1580, right?”

“That’s right,” I said, deadpan, letting another chunk of watermelon melt in my mouth. “I’m the state’s top scorer in reading and writing.”

The room dropped into dead silence. Chloe’s face went from crimson to sheet white.

She stammered, “Did you dare to cheat on the exam?”

I shrugged. “Believe what you want.” Grabbing my mom’s hand, I stood. “We’re heading home.”

Leaving their stunned faces behind, we walked out. Only at home did I see Ryan had sent two more texts:

“It’s okay if you didn’t do well. In my heart, you’re the brightest one.”

…He really—he could make me cry.

I’d used a fake photo, freeloaded a year of tutoring from him. Guilt gnawed at me, even as I curled up on my bed, dusk bleeding through the blinds. I hugged my phone tight, hands shaking, wishing I could disappear. Still, I texted him back, that knot in my stomach refusing to loosen.