Chapter 2

I looked into his eyes. I saw the calculated gravity he used to fake depth, and a hidden test he probably didn't even realize he was performing.

He was testing to see if I would stop him.

He knew cheating was a risk that could destroy his life. He wanted to please Jolene, but he was too much of a coward to carry the weight alone.

He needed someone to make the choice for him, someone he could blame if things went south.

In my previous life, I was the fool who took that burden.

I looked at him and said, "Okay."

Then I turned around, went back to my seat, and shut the door on his bewildered face.

Roman clearly didn't expect that reaction.

He froze in the hallway for a few seconds before following me, sticking his head through the door. "Darla, get back here. I'm being serious."

I flipped my math packet open and didn't look up. "I said okay."

"What does 'okay' mean? Did you even hear me? I said Jolene wants me to help her cheat. Don't you have anything to say about that?"

I finally looked up and gave him my full attention.

"It's your life," I said. "Make your own choice. Why does it involve me?"

His expression turned complicated. He opened his mouth to argue, then hesitated.

Finally, he said, "But cheating is a major violation. If I get caught, I lose my scholarship. I could even go to jail."

He kept his voice low, but his eyes were searching mine, desperate for the usual lecture.

I almost laughed.

He knew the risks. He wasn't asking for my opinion; he was asking me to play the "bad guy" so he could tell Jolene, "I wanted to help, but Darla wouldn't let me."

Or, if I encouraged him and he got caught, he could say, "Darla told me it was fine."

In my previous life, I chose to stop him. He acted grateful for years, then he killed me.

This time, I wasn't playing.

"If you know it's a crime, why are you asking me?" I asked. "You're the top of the class. You can do the math yourself."

Roman was stunned into silence, a flicker of resentment crossing his face.

Right then, the sound of light footsteps echoed down the hall.

Jolene Cobb had arrived.

She was wearing a cream-colored sundress that made her look soft and innocent.

Her hair was down, her makeup was perfect, and she had that sweet smile that made her the school's sweetheart.

"Roman? Fancy meeting you here," she said, her voice like honey. She glanced between us and tilted her head. "And this is... your girlfriend?"

The question was a tiny stone thrown into a pond.

Roman flinched, stepping away from me as if I were contagious. He looked at her with a desperate need to clarify.

"No, no," he said, waving his hands. "She's just my neighbor. We just grew up together. We aren't anything like that."

He didn't even glance at me while he denied it.

I watched his frantic reaction and felt nothing but a cold, dead calm.

It was always like this. In front of Jolene, I was just "the neighbor" or "the family friend." I was never someone who mattered.

Jolene gave a soft "oh" and let her gaze linger on me for a second before turning back to Roman. "Anyway, Mr. Genius, did you think about what we talked about?"

Roman hesitated, glancing quickly at me.

"I want to help," he said, sounding forced. "But Darla's mom and my mom are best friends. I'm just worried Darla might mention something to her mom, and then if my mom finds out..."

He was trying to put the target on my back again.

I'd had enough.

"Roman," I interrupted, loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear. "Your business is your own.

"I don't have the time or the interest to tell on you. If you want to help her, do it. But stop using me as an excuse."