Chapter 2

2

Lily had changed. The first time I saw her, she was a skinny, awkward transfer student, her school uniform hanging off her small frame. Our homeroom teacher introduced her as a top student from public school. The class, full of privileged kids, was unimpressed. I felt a pang of sympathy and clapped, prompting the rest of the class to follow suit.

The teacher, grateful, pointed to me. "This is Vivian Miller, our class president. You can go to her if you need anything."

Lily never did. Ethan took her under his wing. She became his deskmate, the only available seat being next to him. I didn’t realize then that this was the beginning of their betrayal.

There were signs. Lily had low blood sugar and anemia. Ethan would rush her to the nurse’s office when she fainted. My mom brought back Belgian chocolates for us. Ethan claimed a box, saying he wanted them. He'd never liked sweets before. He even asked for my family’s pastry chef’s recipes. I, oblivious, had the chef send him a batch of freshly baked goods.

I thought he was just being nice to a less fortunate classmate. Then I saw the chocolate wrappers and the pastry boxes on Lily’s desk.

I convinced myself it was just Ethan being kind. Lily was so ordinary. I was Vivian Miller, the prettiest girl in school, smart, popular, and from a good family. How could Ethan possibly choose her over me?

Now, seven years later, Lily was decked out in designer clothes and bags, the logos screaming wealth but somehow looking tacky on her. She walked over, forcing a smile. "Viv, you're back." Her eyes flicked between Ethan and me, a strange mixture of curiosity and suspicion. I frowned.

Ethan spoke first, his voice flat. "What are you doing here?"

Lily glanced at him nervously, her smile almost pleading. "I was shopping, and the manager said you were here with friends, throwing a party for Viv. So I waited for you so we could go home together."

It was a flimsy excuse. She held up a shopping bag. "The manager also gave me these two bottles of wine. A little gift for Mr. and Mrs. Stone." She emphasized "Mrs. Stone" like she was staking a claim. Ethan's face tightened.

I heard someone behind me stifle a laugh. With Ethan's status, even the club owner needed an appointment to see him. Here was his wife, clutching two free bottles of wine like they were priceless treasures. It was painfully awkward.

Clearly, this wasn't the first time Lily had embarrassed him. Ethan’s voice was sharp, impatient. "I told you to stay home. Why are you embarrassing yourself?"

More muffled laughter. Lily's face turned a sickly white. She looked at Ethan, bewildered. She didn't understand his anger, or what she'd done wrong. No one offered an explanation. Everyone was laughing at her naiveté, her lack of social grace.

I was surprised by Ethan's coldness. He’d always defended Lily. Back in high school, when she was ostracized, even by me, he always stood up for her. Now, he just stared down at her, his eyes filled with a barely concealed disdain. He was a completely different person.

How could he look at her with such contempt? Had he forgotten how he treated me, all to protect her?