Chapter 1
The scorching air rushed into my lungs.
I opened my eyes to find myself back on day one of my university's Freshman Boot Camp.
The asthma note in my hand was damp with sweat.
My boyfriend, Ryan Brooks, urged me impatiently, "Yvonne, go show that note to Mr. Hayes to get excused. You're in no shape for this."
In my previous life, I listened to him.
And it cost me everything.
Olivia Reed, a student on financial aid, took the extra black card I'd given Ryan and misused my name to act out.
In the end, she got me expelled and pushed me into oncoming traffic.
But this time, I wouldn't let any of that happen.
In front of everyone, I tore the note to pieces.
Ryan stared, stunned.
Even Logan Hayes, the drill instructor who'd become my nightmare, glanced over with a probing look.
*****
The August sun was brutal. I stood at the edge of the field, sweat dripping down my forehead and soaking my collar.
The thin asthma note in my hand felt impossibly heavy.
"Yvonne, why are you waiting for? Go give Mr. Hayes the note and get out of this heat. You'll get roasted out here," Ryan snapped, his voice dripping with impatience and blatant superiority.
In my previous life, I did what he told me to.
I spent the next fifteen days alone in my dorm, staying out of the brutal sun.
Back then, I believed Ryan was looking out for me.
But without me knowing, Olivia was flashing that extra black card that Ryan had given her.
She used my name to throw parties, buy expensive clothes, and even go clubbing against the strict camp rules.
"Yvonne's so generous. She's not even here, but the perks keep coming," someone said.
"I heard she's got asthma and is super fragile. Ryan's practically spoiling her rotten," another chimed in.
When the rumors reached me, I shrugged them off as classmates talking.
Then the academic advisor, Monica Lynch, called me in to hand me my expulsion letter.
The reason for my expulsion was faking medical records to dodge Freshman Boot Camp, and acting out off-campus, which seriously tarnished the school's reputation.
I went crazy, rushing to confront Olivia.
She hid behind Logan, who'd shown up after hearing the drama, looking all innocent.
"Yvonne, it's fine if you don't like me. But you can't fake a doctor's note," Olivia said softly. "I had to report you. It's for the good of the school."
Logan shot me a cold, hard look. "You break the rules; you face the consequences."
Ryan glared at me with pure disgust. "You brought this on yourself. Don't drag Olivia into it. You're pathetic."
I was desperate, about to ask for the surveillance footage to prove my innocence. But before I could, Olivia shoved me hard, sending me straight into the speeding traffic.
The last thing I saw before everything went dark was her smug, victorious smile.
Later, I floated above it all, watching as my dad had a heart attack after hearing the news. My mom, crushed by the online bullying Ryan stirred up, took her own life.
My family was destroyed.
*****
"Yvonne!" Ryan shouted, snapping me out of the memory.
I blinked, meeting his irritated glare.
Standing next to him in the harsh sunlight was Olivia. She was wearing a faded T-shirt, twisting the hem nervously as she looked at me.
"Ryan, don't push Yvonne. She isn't feeling well," she said softly, laying on the fake concern.
What a perfect act.
I smirked, and right in front of everyone, tore the asthma note to pieces.
The scraps fluttered from my fingers, like pieces of my previous life falling away.
"A-Are you insane?" Ryan stammered, staring at me like he'd never seen me before.
Olivia's eyes widened, her mouth slightly open, the scheming in her eyes plain to see.
I ignored them both and strode to the back of the squad, standing straight.
A sharp, focused gaze landed on me. I looked up and met the eyes of Logan, the lead instructor.
He stood at the front in a crisp uniform, tall, straight-backed, with piercing eyes and sharp features. Just standing there, he radiated an overwhelming sense of authority.
He'd noticed the commotion. His brow furrowed, eyes fixed on me with a hint of scrutiny.
But I couldn't care less.
This time, I wouldn't let anyone else control my fate.
Olivia, Ryan, and Logan, we were starting over.