Chapter 1
The night before the college application deadline, I, Skyler Shaw, was getting ready to set off fireworks with my boyfriend, Yannis Reed.
Then my phone rang. The voice on the other end was frantic.
It said, "Don't go outside. Don't trust Yannis. He and Meredith changed your Hinston University application to a two-year college.
"They've been hooking up behind your back, and they used your application as a bet. Yannis can't stand you being better than him. Meredith has been jealous of you.
"Get online and fix it now. You still have time. Don't waste your whole life the way I did, hurry!"
The line went dead. My hand froze midair.
Outside the door, Yannis's voice cut through.
He said, "Skyler, are you ready yet? Meredith's almost here."
I looked down at my phone.
It was 11:45 PM.
The deadline was only fifteen minutes away.
*****
I slowly pulled my hand back from the doorknob. My heart raced uncontrollably. I wasn't sure if I could trust that sudden call.
After all, Yannis was my boyfriend, and Meredith was my best friend. We were childhood friends who grew up together in this small, out-of-the-way town.
They helped me choose my major, and on the day of the application, Yannis double-checked everything, making sure I didn't make a single mistake before submitting it. Honestly, he cared more about my application than his own.
How could they possibly swap my application for a two-year college on purpose?
Besides, I didn't have a computer at home. If I wanted to check, I'd have to go to the only internet café in town.
While I was still hesitating, Yannis started knocking again. "Skyler, hurry up. Meredith's already downstairs. Didn't we agree to set off fireworks at midnight?" he called out.
The desperate, heart-wrenching voice from that call kept echoing in my mind.
I bit my lip, then I sent Yannis a message: [I'm not feeling well, so I'm going to stay in. You and Meredith go ahead and set off the fireworks.]
Yannis replied instantly: [If you're not going, then Meredith and I won't go either. Let us in, and we'll stay with you.
[Are you feeling feverish? Do you need any medicine? I'll make you some water in a bit.]
My fingers froze for a moment. Yannis and Meredith were always like this, always fussing over me, making sure I was okay.
Back when I got sick during the mock exams, they'd take turns bringing their notes over and helping me study at home, making sure I didn't miss anything. But it might be all a lie.
Skyler: [Nah, I'm gonna sleep.]
I sent the message and turned off the light, letting the room fall into silence. Sure enough, Yannis didn't text back. Everything outside the door went silent.
The seconds ticked by on my phone. I bit my lip. The uneasy feeling in my gut was getting heavier and heavier.
All through senior year, the three of us pushed each other forward, always rooting for one another. When things got overwhelming, we'd break down and cry together, hugging it out.
And now, here I was, second-guessing them all because of one strange phone call. I shouldn't act like this.
I took a deep breath, reaching for the light switch, when Meredith's voice came from outside the door. She said, "What's up? I've been waiting downstairs for ages. Is Skyler still not ready?"
After thinking it over for a second, I quietly put my ear against the door. Yannis's uncertain voice drifted through the door. "She said she's staying in and going to bed."
"Really?" Meredith fell silent, not saying another word.
I let out a sigh of relief, about to pull my head away, when Meredith suddenly let out a mischievous, triumphant giggle, her pride practically spilling over.
"Whatever, as soon as it's midnight, I win. She'll never figure it out. You lost, so don't forget. You owe me ten kisses," Meredith teased.
Yannis chuckled, his voice full of affection. "What, you still haven't had your fill of kisses from me?"
"Hey, that's different. This one's my victory prize."
Outside, I could hear the intimate rustling of their clothes and their muffled, teasing laughter drifting through the door. Inside, I stood there in shock. My mind went blank, unable to process what I'd heard.