Chapter 4

Scarlett actually started acting like she was chasing me. She’d walk me to class in the mornings, eat lunch with me, and ask me to walk with her in the evenings.

And because of my foot injury, I stopped running Brandon’s errands. No one in the dorm talked to either of us anymore, so he moved off-campus to an apartment.

Slowly, everyone started to think I was actually falling for Scarlett.

I’d blush when I saw her, give her little handmade gifts, and even remember to bring her snacks after my part-time shifts.

I’d text her good morning and good night, sharing little things from my day—whether she replied or not.

I’d swapped my dorky glasses for contacts, fixed my hair, and even though my clothes were simple, I looked clean and put-together in the mirror.

Slowly, I could feel Scarlett looking at me differently.

She’d get close on purpose to make me blush, and on rainy days, her hand would brush mine under the umbrella.

We were like a real couple.

Until the night Brandon got wasted. He barged into the dorm and knocked over a bowl of discounted hot soup I’d bought.

I dodged quick, but he ended up burning his own wrist. He shook it off right away, but there was still a red mark.

He gritted his teeth, glaring at me. “Alex, I treated you like a friend, and you went after Scarlett? Have you got no decency?”

I kept my innocent look. “Went after? Were you two an item or something?”

Brandon clammed up. He pointed at me, spitting threats. “Just you wait. You really think Scarlett actually likes you? She’s just playing with you.”

Little did he know I was playing with her too. I’d already gotten what I wanted—breaking up wouldn’t matter.

Scarlett showed up to chew me out, just like I knew she would.

Like last time, she dragged me into a private room with all her friends.

Scarlett told me to apologize. “Be reasonable, Alex. Brandon’s never been hurt a day in his life. Now you burned him.”

Brandon crossed his arms, sneering. “Apologize? I wouldn’t dream of it. He’s your boyfriend now, Scarlett.”

Scarlett looked helpless, teasing him. “Are you really jealous? You’re the one who introduced us, remember?”

Brandon pointed at a row of hard liquor bottles. “Here’s the deal—if you’re really sorry, drink all these and I’ll forgive you.”

Scarlett didn’t object. She even picked up a glass and handed it to me.

“The whole row’s too much. Just one glass.”

I took the glass, then dumped the liquor on the floor with a flick of my wrist.

“I’m not drinking a drop.”

Last time, no matter how much I explained, all I got was mocked.

They didn’t care about the truth—they just wanted to see me humiliated.

I was the ugly duckling, the loser—basically, not in their league.

They made me drink the whole row of shots. I couldn’t keep it down and threw up right there in front of everyone.

Brandon jumped back, pinching his nose, while Scarlett looked grossed out and had someone kick me out.

This time, after dumping the drink, I set the glass back on the table.

The glass clinked as I put it down. I only explained once: “You got burned because you knocked over my soup on purpose. You did this to yourself.”

Brandon flipped out, pointing and yelling. “Who did this to himself?! You’re usually such a wimp—now you’re finally showing your true colors? I always knew you were a two-faced jerk!”

“I’m warning you—if you don’t drink all these shots and apologize today, I’ll get you kicked out tomorrow!”

Scarlett frowned, looking at me like I was being unreasonable.

“Alex, did you forget what I said? It’s just an apology. Why make this so hard?”

I gave a small, mocking smile. “I didn’t do anything wrong, so I’m not apologizing.”

Scarlett hadn’t expected me to be so stubborn. She grabbed my wrist, staring hard at me.

“What if I *make* you apologize to him?”

I gritted my teeth and pulled my hand away. “Then we’re done.”