Chapter 2

Maren's POV

Nash pins me down in the chair, and I can't move.

I stare at their faces. Both so smug, so sure they're in the right. And my mind drifts back.

Memory has a way of softening everything.

Before Fern came along, the three of us were inseparable. The kind of close where you never had to watch what you said.

The Ellerys, the Morrows, and my family had known each other for generations. We grew up on the same street, the kind of childhood friendship people actually get jealous of.

Back then, Declan was steady and quiet, always looking out for me like an older brother. Nash was all energy and sunshine, constantly finding new ways to make me laugh.

They used to sit out under the stars and say that no matter what, they'd always have my back. That they'd never let anyone mess with me.

Then junior year came, and all of it stopped.

Fern transferred in on a financial hardship scholarship, and she spread through our little world the way damage does. Fast and permanent.

She knew exactly how to work them.

On rainy days when she'd "forgotten" her umbrella, she'd stand outside shivering, looking up at Declan with those big wet eyes. During PE, when she'd take a fall, she'd hold back tears and give Nash this shaky little smile that was somehow worse than crying.

Bit by bit, everything that used to be mine tilted in her direction.

My spot, my people, even the stupid little things — snacks, inside jokes — all quietly redirected toward keeping her comfortable.

Any time I said something even slightly wrong, Fern would tear up and start apologizing, saying she didn't deserve to have friends. And Declan and Nash would turn on me without hesitation, asking me why someone like me, with everything I had, would ever go after a girl who could barely afford lunch.

"Maren, stop fighting it. We're doing this for you."

The memory cuts off. The pressure on my shoulders drags me back.

Nash still has me pinned, hard enough that I have to work not to wince.

"Declan, Nash, don't be like this." Fern dabs at her eyes from the side, voice soft and wounded. "If she doesn't want to come, it's okay. This is my fault anyway..."

She's still talking, but she's already moving closer.

"Fern, that's your problem, you're way too nice." Declan lets out a short, cold laugh. "Don't worry about her. Go ahead and change it. All four of us are going to community college together."

Something flickers behind Fern's eyes — just for a second, just enough. She hesitates, tilting her head with this practiced look of uncertainty. "You sure about this? Her parents are going to flip..."

"So what? I'll handle it." Nash says it like he's taking on the world.

I lunge for my computer. Fern ducks behind Nash and Declan, and they block me without even thinking about it.

She slides into my seat, pulls up my account, and makes the change before I can get anywhere near her.

Then she stands up and looks at me, a smile on her face like she just did me a favor. "Done. You know they only let you submit once, right? We're going to be at the same school again. Isn't that great?"

"Are you serious right now?" My voice comes out low. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

"Maren, you could at least say thank you." Nash lets go of my arm and looks down at me like I'm the problem. "We didn't want you to be alone. And this is how you act? Fern was trying to do something kind for you."

"Application's submitted. It's done." Declan puts his hand on Fern's back. "Let's go celebrate."

The three of them walk out like they just won something.

I wait until they're gone, then turn back to the screen and try to get in. A message pops up: submission limit reached. No further changes allowed.

I grab my bag and walk out.

I don't stop until I'm home.

My parents are in the living room. I tell them everything.

My dad's jaw goes tight. He puts his hand on the table. "They did what? Those boys have completely lost their minds. Over some girl who showed up out of nowhere, and they think they can just tamper with your application?"

My mom pulls me into a hug before he even finishes. "My poor Maren. How dare they do this to you..."

"I'm fine," I say, keeping my voice even. "What I need right now is to get my application fixed before they try anything else."

"Leave it to me." My dad already has his phone out.

The Voss name carries weight in this town. For most students, a locked application would be the end of it. But for people with the right connections, as long as you have proof it was tampered with, one phone call is all it takes.

Less than half an hour later, we get the call back. The Department of Education confirmed unauthorized changes were made to my account. My access has been restored.

I sit down at the computer and put my original school back where it belongs.

The confirmation screen loads. I let out a long breath.

That's done.

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