Chapter 3

Even after Michael and I started dating, she still tried to set him up with other women.

She laughed and talked to a neighbor. "My son applied to Vanderly University. He and Olivia are the dream team—one's brilliant in the arts, the other's a science genius. If they team up, they'll be unstoppable.

"Of course they're getting married. I've got it all planned out—Olivia should have a baby sophomore year, give birth junior year, and she'll still be young. Young moms recover fast, you know.

"I'll help with the baby. Once Olivia graduates, she can help my son start his own company. And with their genes, they should have lots of kids—those children will be geniuses for sure."

That was the first time my parents had heard anything so outrageous, and they were furious.

Mom marched right up. "Lily Lewis, what are you talking about? My daughter is still in school—there's no way she's having a baby! She's going to Vanderly University!"

Dad snapped, his tone sharp. "Lily, that childhood engagement was just a joke between Michael's dad and me over a decade ago. The kids aren't interested in each other anymore, so stop spreading nonsense!"

Lily's grin vanished the moment she saw my parents. "Those two are so close—our families are destined to be in-laws. And they're both heading to Vanderly University together."

Lily never finished middle school, while Michael's dad worked for the school board and was a decade older than her.

He first met Lily when he came to mediate a domestic dispute at her place. Feeling sorry for her, he started helping out, and eventually they got together.

Lily never stopped bragging about Michael, and everyone in this rundown building was sick of her constant boasting.

But as much as people complained or felt jealous, they had to admit—her kid was the real deal.

Since high school, Michael had been the most popular guy, thanks to his standout looks and brains.

My parents were furious, but then I spotted Michael and Emily approaching from down the street.

They noticed the commotion and hurried over.

I kept my voice calm. "Lily, you really shouldn't say things like that. Michael already has a girlfriend. And seriously, everyone needs to stop trying to ship us together. Thanks."

Lily frowned. "What do you mean Michael has a girlfriend? Isn't his girlfriend you?"

"Mom!" Michael walked over, and everyone turned to look at the girl beside him.

She wore super short shorts showing off a large tattoo on her calf, a red leather crop top, and huge red hoop earrings studded with tiny diamonds. Looking closer, you could see five piercings in one ear, and her hair was dyed bold wine red.

Michael's hair was dyed some weird color too, and he was holding her hand with a sweet smile on his face.

When he saw my family, he paused. That was when he realized—I hadn't been around them all summer.

"Olivia, let's go home," my parents said, their faces tight. As teachers, seeing a girl like that was their biggest pet peeve.

Kids could be rebellious and bold if they wanted.

But they shouldn't give up on themselves.

They had their whole lives ahead of them, but instead of studying or taking care of themselves, they were wasting their youth, letting themselves go like that.

Emily had a pack of cigarettes tucked into her waistband, casually playing with a lighter.

When she spotted me, her eyes flashed with mockery. "Olivia, did you get a part-time job or something? Thought you loved hanging out with us. Where've you been hiding all summer?"

I glanced at her and headed home with my parents.

"Olivia! Emily's talking to you! What's with the attitude?" Michael called out, his voice turning cold—probably because I hadn't been hanging out with them lately.

Emily leaned against his shoulder, putting on her best wounded expression. "It's fine. She never liked me anyway."

Michael raised his voice. "Olivia, get over here and apologize to Emily!"

But I was already gone, leaving them with just my indifferent back.

Lily was stunned when they appeared. "Michael, who is this? And why did you dye your hair like that?"

"Mom..." Michael started, but Emily cut him off. "Mrs. Summers, I'm Michael's girlfriend."

Michael watched my retreating figure in silence. He was probably expecting me to turn around when Emily said that, but I didn't even glance back—just went upstairs with my parents.

All the neighborhood ladies gasped, "What?"

They stared in disbelief—no one expected Michael, the straight-A student, to choose a girlfriend like Emily.

Honestly, everyone thought he'd end up with me. After all, we were both top of the class and looked like a perfect match.

Lily screamed, "Michael, that trip you said you were taking after the SATs—was it with her?"

Fifteen days ago, Michael said he was going on a graduation trip with friends, planning to do a road trip around the northwest.

His parents gave him money to let him unwind.

Who would've guessed he actually went with Lily?

Everything about her suggested she wasn't from a refined background.

"Yeah," Emily said, snuggling up to him with a smile. "Mrs. Summers, we're actually planning to get married. Once Michael goes to college, I'll stay here and take care of you."

Lily was livid. She pointed at Emily and sneered, "You? You think you're good enough for him? Just look at you, all trashy. Do you work at some strip club or—"

"Mom! How can you talk about Emily like that?" Michael shot back angrily.

Emily had given herself to him, and they'd been so happy together these past few days.

But he watched me leave, feeling strangely hollow. It hit him—he hadn't hung out with me in forever.

Then he remembered something and relaxed.

We'd be heading off to Vanderly University together soon anyway. He could just make up with me then, and we'd all be back to hanging out like nothing happened.

Emily was fuming. "Michael, do you see how she's acting?"

Michael glanced around—there were tons of people watching. He quickly grabbed his mom and Emily and hustled them home.

He was the perfect SAT scorer, and his send-off party was in a few days. No way was he letting himself look bad in front of all these people.

Once home, Michael worked hard to calm both his mom and Emily down, explaining over and over that they were just dating and there was no talk of marriage.

After a long round of persuasion, Lily finally gave in. She figured once Michael went to Vanderly University, he'd meet plenty of better girls anyway. Emily was just a phase, nothing to worry about, so she stopped stressing.

Emily could only let it go.

With both of them finally appeased, Michael breathed a huge sigh of relief.