Chapter 3

3

Instead of showing remorse, Maisie waited until the officers were distracted and lunged at me.

She scratched three bloody lines down my face with her nails.

"Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?"

"Elias, you just want to force me to be with you, right? Fine! I'll be your girlfriend. Just let us go!"

The police quickly pulled her off me.

The man with the gold chain looked down at her with disgust. "I wasn't going to press charges, but I can't believe such a good mother raised a daughter like you. Let the law teach you a lesson."

I snorted and looked at Caleb. "I'm pressing charges for the phone, too. I want my money within three days."

I walked out of the station without looking back.

I didn't go back to the dorms. I went to my parents' house and told them everything.

My mom knew I liked Maisie. She used to buy expensive clothes for me to give to her.

After hearing the story, my mom sighed. "Well, you never truly know a person. It's better that you found out now."

The next morning, I went back to school.

When I walked into the classroom, I saw a group of students surrounding a crying Maisie.

I realized the school had bailed her out.

As soon as I entered, someone threw a backpack at my head.

"You're a disgrace to this class! Just because you have money doesn't mean you can bully the class president and a girl from a poor family!"

Maisie stood up and weakly grabbed the student's arm.

"Don't. He might call the police on you, too. I don't care about myself, but Caleb got hurt because of me. It hurts my heart."

She reached out to touch Caleb's bruised lip, completely ignoring the scratches on my face.

She continued, "When Elias bought that phone, he told me it was a cheap knock-off. He couldn't return it."

"Now he's using this as an excuse to make Caleb pay for a brand-new one."

The students were furious. They surrounded me, demanding I apologize.

Someone even poured their iced coffee over my head.

Just then, our professor walked in and shouted, "What is going on! Sit down!"

Everyone scrambled to their seats. I stood there and looked at the professor.

"Sir, I'm done. I'm dropping out."

I walked out of the classroom amidst their shocked stares.

My parents supported my decision and immediately started the paperwork for me to study abroad.

Three days later, Caleb's father sent me the money and apologized over the phone.

I felt bad for the parents. They both had such terrible children.

Right after I hung up, Maisie called me.

Her voice sounded pathetic. "Are you really dropping out? I was just upset."

"Are you afraid I'm still mad at you? Look, I already agreed to be your girlfriend. I ran out of that luxury skincare set you bought me. Buy me a new one, and I'll forgive you."

I was disgusted by her shamelessness.

"You're the one who said you'd be my girlfriend. I never agreed to it. We have nothing to do with each other anymore. Stop calling me."

I hung up and blocked her.