Her Envy, My Unbreakable Heart

My life was perfect, or as close to it as an art student could dream.

I was the top candidate for the prestigious Atherton scholarship, a full ride that would launch my career, my paintings getting noticed, my grades stellar.

Then my roommate, Chloe, pressed a tarnished silver locket into my palm, a "good luck" charm to secure my future.

From that day, my life inexplicably soared, every creative block vanished, every anxiety quelled.

Until the day the scholarship was announced.

The gallery was packed, my paintings front and center, proud and beaming.