Chapter 3

Back at school, my teachers and classmates offered their condolences about the fire, then quickly dispersed.

After all, it was a critical time right before the SATs. Every minute counted.

I calmed myself down and went to the office to pick up a practice test I'd missed that morning. I started working on it.

Reborn, I wasn't going to a culinary arts program to spend every day cooking for Hugh.

I wanted to go to an Ivy League university, to study subjects I was truly passionate about, to read more books, and to see a wider world.

I should have done that, and I could have.

Hugh returned to school a week later.

With only twelve days left until the SATs, most students in the study hall were too focused to even glance at him and Tiffany Blackwood, who was sitting next to him.

Tiffany was the beauty from the next class, and Hugh's "white moonlight" – his unattainable crush.

I heard she had been by his side all these days.

Good, just as Hugh wished. He would soon become Tiffany's first boyfriend.

Tiffany carried a donation box to the front of the classroom, rallying everyone to donate to Hugh:

"With the SATs so close, I didn't want to bother everyone, but anyone can face hardship. Please, donate your spare change to help Hugh through this difficult time. Our Class Four has already donated. I thank Class Three on his behalf…"

After Tiffany finished speaking, she pulled Hugh into a deep bow.

The students looked helpless, sympathetic, or just annoyed and wanting to be left alone.

They quickly pulled out cash or scanned the QR code to donate.

I remained rooted to my seat, not even looking up, continuing to work on my problems.

But Tiffany called me out directly:

"Alice Hayes, why haven't you donated? Aren't you and Hugh childhood neighbors? That's really heartless, isn't it?"

A bitter laugh escaped me, laced with pure disbelief.

I looked up at Tiffany and Hugh.

Hugh was staring at me with a resentful expression.