Chapter 3

Sophia's face fell instantly, and she shot James a desperate look for help.

James just lowered his head, looking awkward, not saying a single word to defend her.

After finally mustering up the courage, Sophia was loudly humiliated by Riley in front of everyone.

Sophia didn't say another word. With teary eyes, she quietly shrank into the corner.

The gathering broke up unhappily.

Felix walked out first, and I followed right behind him.

Just as I was about to get into Felix's car, someone shoved me hard, knocking me aside.

Once I regained my balance, I saw Riley sitting on the ground. Her eyes were filled with tears, making her look fragile and pitiful.

Riley complained, "Felix, your girlfriend's got way too much attitude. She didn't just slap me in front of everyone. She shoved me too! Now my ankle's all messed up."

I laughed out of sheer frustration, grabbed her arm, and hauled her to her feet.

"You're the one who pushed me!" I snapped back.

She stayed put, giving Felix a hurt puppy look, as if begging him to take her side.

Felix tsked impatiently. He gently helped Riley up.

Riley pretended to lose her balance and toppled straight into his arms.

"Come on, we're all friends here. Why are we causing drama? Courtney, apologize," Felix said, his voice steady but not harsh.

Riley's eyes sparkled with mischief as she teased Felix.

She said, "Everyone says you're whipped, and it turns out they're right! Good thing I'm just a department head of the student council.

"If this were the real world and your girlfriend got jealous for no reason and offended your boss, you'd be the one caught in the crossfire. Wouldn't you be the one having a hard time?"

Felix's grip tightened, and he looked up at me. He said, "Since you're not thinking straight, go get some air. See me when you've figured things out."

Right after he finished, Riley latched onto him. Felix didn't push her away.

He held Riley close as he got into the car, then drove off without a second glance.

"Courtney, it's not safe for you to head home by yourself. I've got a cab waiting. Come with me if you want," Sophia said.

She was alone too. She sat in the car and gestured for me to join her.

The car was quiet, and colorful neon lights washed over Sophia's face, so I couldn't quite make out her expression.

"Back then, James wasn't like this with me," Sophia said.

I glanced over at Sophia. She was staring out the window, and her voice had this bitter edge to it.

She continued, "But with just a little gesture from Riley, he changed. Before Felix joined the student council, Riley always had it out for me."

So I wasn't the only one Riley had messed with. But I couldn't even crack a smile.

The hatred inside me was boiling over, twisting tighter with every passing second.

Sophia let out a bitter laugh. "You really shouldn't have lost your cool like that today. She's the department head, after all."

She continued, "If Riley decides to make things hard for you and Felix, docks your credits, and you can't graduate, what then?

"She's never been the forgiving type. If she starts stirring up drama and turns Felix into another James, you'll be the one left hurting."

I could tell Sophia genuinely cared about me. But the anger still simmered inside.

I forced myself to calm down and countered Sophia.

"You kept your head down, but did it make things any easier? Did she ever leave you alone?" I asked.

Sophia just shook her head, silent.

Didn't I put up with it in the previous timeline? And what did it get me?

I was slandered and dumped. My boyfriend was taken from me, and in the end, I lost my life.

Riley would never back down just because someone tried to put up with her. She'd just get smug and drive people to a dead end.

The only way to stop her for good was to crush her completely. Otherwise, she would never quit.

I knew Sophia wasn't someone you could easily sway, so I just did my best to convince her.

I said, "Riley's the kind who always gets back at you for the slightest thing. You pissed her off today, so she's already figuring out how to get back at you. Just watch. Enduring her is pointless."

*****

Riley hit me up the next day.

She said, "Hey, Courtney, the student council just picked up a new event, and we're seriously short on people. Why don't you come help us out?

"Relax, you're Felix's girl, right? I wouldn't dare shortchange you. I'll throw in some extra credits for you two. Oh, and I called Sophia too, so you guys can have each other's backs."

Been through this before in the previous timeline.

To keep things smooth for Felix and snag those credits, Sophia and I ended up helping out together.

Riley told us to be there by noon.

We skipped lunch and baked in the sun for two whole hours.

Only then did Riley finally show up, unlock the meeting room, and had us running around like her minions.

We busted our asses all day, and in the end, she only gave us half a credit.

This time, I didn't even bother going.

Maybe it was something I said, or maybe not, but Sophia didn't show up either.

Riley waited forever, but when nobody showed up, she straight-up tagged Felix in the group chat for everyone to see.

Riley: [Your girlfriend promised she'd help, but she totally ghosted me.]

Riley: [Oh, and I saw her getting real close with some guy earlier. Maybe she was too busy sneaking around to remember us?]

Then she dropped a pic of me making out with some guy right in the chat.

Riley: [Wow, Felix, looks like you're getting played big time.]

*****

A few days later, I received an official reprimand from the college.

They accused me of misconduct and said I was facing expulsion.