Chapter 2

2

Ethan was stunned.

He grabbed my sleeve, his eyes scrutinizing.

"Oh? Lily, did you even hear me? I said Sarah wants me to cheat on the SATs, and you're not going to stop me?"

I frowned.

"It's your business. Why should I stop you? You decide."

Hesitation clouded Ethan's face.

"But, cheating on the SATs is illegal. If we get caught, we could get our scores canceled, or even go to jail."

Ha.

So, he knew cheating was illegal? He was afraid of jail?

He didn't dare help Sarah cheat, but he couldn't refuse her either, so he told me, hoping I'd be the bad guy.

Last time, he just went with the flow.

Understanding this made my contempt for Ethan grow.

As I was figuring out how to ditch Ethan, Sarah, the school beauty, appeared.

She wore a white dress, her delicate face lit up with a bright smile. She was stunning even without makeup.

Seeing Ethan, she smiled.

"Top student? What a coincidence, running into you here."

Upon seeing me, Sarah looked surprised.

"This is… your girlfriend?"

The goddess' words worked their magic.

Hearing Sarah, Ethan immediately let go of me like he'd been electrocuted.

He quickly explained.

"No, she's just a neighbor. We're nothing."

Sarah nodded understandingly.

Blinking her bright eyes, she asked him,

"So, top student. About what I mentioned earlier… have you decided? Can you give me an answer?"

Ethan was beaming.

Sarah's constant praise as "top student" and "scholar" had completely charmed Ethan.

But I could see his hesitation.

He said hesitantly,

"I want to help you, but Lily's mom and my mom are best friends. I'm afraid she'll tell my mom."

Amazing, he actually wanted me to take the blame.

Where did he get the nerve?

I interrupted him decisively.

"You're overthinking it. I don't care, and I'm not childish enough to tell your mom. Help her if you want, or refuse. Don't put the blame on me!"

Sarah understood.

She said awkwardly,

"Um, top student. If you don't want to help, just say no. No need for excuses."

Ethan was embarrassed.

He glared at me, then quickly explained to Sarah.

"That's not what I meant, I just had that concern. But since Lily said so, I feel better."

Finally, he made up his mind.

"I'll do it."

In that moment, youthful impulsiveness overcame his reason.

He decided to gamble his future for his crush's affection.

Upon hearing this, Sarah's eyes lit up.

She threw herself into Ethan's arms, saying movedly,

"Great, Ethan, thank you! If… if we can go to the same university, I'll be your girlfriend."

Ethan was elated.

He held Sarah, his hands trembling with excitement.

After a while, he said firmly,

"I'll make sure you get into the same university as me."

Sarah nodded, moved.

"I believe you."