Chapter 3

Just like I'd expected, I hadn't heard a word from Jason since our blowout.

Honestly, it was a relief. I poured all that newly freed-up energy into my classes and the upcoming university competitions.

One day, Max pulled me aside. "Susan, the universities are hosting the annual Innovators' Cup. If you place, you could secure your exchange spot early."

That was all the motivation I needed. I went into overdrive, devouring research papers, picking the brains of upperclassmen, and pulling more than a few all-nighters to get my presentation absolutely perfect ahead of the deadline.

When I finally showed it to Max, she beamed.

"Susan," she said, "unless a meteor hits, the gold's yours."

I flashed a humble smile, but inside, I was already convinced I'd nailed it.

But on the day of the competition, as I scanned the roster, one name made me do a double take. It was Vera.

She was a freshman. There was no way she should have even been eligible.

At the same moment, she saw me. She threaded her way through the buzzing crowd.

She said, "Susan! You're competing too? I'm so honored to be going up against you."

She leaned in a little closer. "But, you know, Jason personally went over my entire report with me. He said I'm a shoo-in for the gold."

I kept my expression perfectly neutral, refusing to give her the reaction she so desperately wanted.

Seeing she wasn't getting a rise out of me, she took another step, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper right next to my ear.

"Just so we're clear, Susan," she murmured, drawing out the words. "The gold medal and Jason? I'm taking them both."

I'd had enough. I deliberately bumped her shoulder as I walked past.

"Still picking up gum I've already chewed? I see," I shot back. "Is that your thing? A taste for other people's leftovers?"

I paused, letting the words sink in. "Be careful you don't get too greedy, Vera. If you bite off more than you can chew, you just might choke."

"You!" she sputtered.

Her face flared red, nostrils flaring.

I didn't spare her another glance, walking straight onto the stage.

For the next thirty minutes, I was completely in the zone, pouring every ounce of my energy into my presentation.

When I was done, I saw the proud smile on Max's face in the audience. I knew I'd nailed it.

After the last presentation, the judges took the stage for the awards ceremony.

I sat on the edge of my seat, my palms sweating. My heart thudded against my ribs like a trapped bird.

"And now, the gold prize for this year's Innovators' Cup goes to Vera Williams!"

The announcement echoed through the auditorium, loud and deafening. I sat there, frozen.

How could this even happen? I couldn't wrap my head around it.

I bolted backstage and found Max, who looked at me with an apologetic expression.

"Susan, that gold medal was supposed to be yours," she said.

"But White Group is the main sponsor for the competition. We got a call from them this morning. They insisted the gold prize go to Vera Williams."

In that instant, everything clicked into place.

Furious, I grabbed my bag and stormed out, ready to confront Jason. And there he was, standing right by the exit, holding a massive bouquet of sunflowers.

With a look of pleasant surprise on his face, Jason lit up when he saw me.

"Sue? What brings you here?" he asked.

I was in no mood for small talk. I got straight to the point.

"Jason, what gives you the right to trample all over my work and rig this competition so that Vera gets a gold medal she didn't earn?"

He was smart. The look on his face told me he knew what I meant immediately.

He explained, "Sue, I'm sorry. I had no idea you were competing.

"But that's the point. I'm your boyfriend. That's why I had to let Vera have it."

"There's only one gold medal!" I practically shouted, my voice trembling with rage. "You pulled strings for her, which means I got nothing!"

He winced, pinching the bridge of his nose like I was giving him a migraine.

"Susan, you have so much already. You don't need this. Vera's different. She comes from nothing, and she has no connections. She needs this win more than you do."

He tried to reach for me, his voice softening. "Besides, if she loses, she has nothing. If you lose, you still have me."

Tears sprang to my eyes. I flinched away from his touch.

"You seriously disgust me, Jason," I spat.

I turned and walked away. Just as I expected, he didn't follow.

He stayed right there, waiting by the door, and gave the sunflowers to Vera as she came out, basking in the glory of her stolen victory.

Since I didn't get the gold, I had to scramble, signing up for every other competition I could find to beef up my transcript.

It wasn't until finals were right around the corner that I finally snagged a spot as an exchange student.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I headed over to the driving school to officially withdraw.

But as I got close, the sky opened up. A torrential downpour started out of nowhere.

There was no cover in sight. I was just about to make a run for it, using my bag as a makeshift umbrella.

Suddenly, a familiar flash of metallic pink pulled up beside me. It was Jason.

The passenger window rolled down. But it was Vera's smug face that appeared first.

"Well, well, Susan. Still trying to get your license in this weather?"

Jason, apparently having forgotten our last fight completely, leaned over.

He yelled, "Get in the car! Don't come crying to me for medicine when you catch a cold."

Before Vera showed up, Jason would have done anything for me.

He'd have driven across town at 2 a.m. for fever medicine.

He brought me breakfast every single day for three years of high school.

He used to give me piggyback rides in the rain just so that my shoes wouldn't get wet.

All those memories had made me gild him in my mind.

But in that moment, the illusion shattered.

Love isn't a constant. It flows. It changes.

Seeing me hesitate, Jason must have thought I was still pouting.

"Sue, come on, stop being dramatic. When the weather clears up, I'll take you out to practice, okay?

"Or, if you don't want to, just tell me where you need to go. I'll drive you."

Vera jumped in, smirking.

"Yeah, Susan. I mean, look at me. If he could teach me how to drive, he could teach anyone. He'll make sure you pass."

Listening to them, I felt exhausted.

I said, "No thanks, Jason.

"In Harbor City, they drive on the left. I'll be getting a different kind of license. You don't need to worry about it."