Chapter 2

My mom's voice dropped, laced with disbelief.

"You're not going to New York? Didn't you say it was your dream?"

I fell silent. I had wanted to go to New York because that was where Lucas was heading. I wanted a chance to finally be with him in the light.

I worked myself to the bone for it, winning scholarships every semester and leading teams in research competitions.

In other people's eyes, he and I were the department's top two stars.

Even so, Lucas always pushed me away.

"You should learn from Mia. Look how vibrant and outgoing she is."

"All you ever do is keep a straight face and bury your nose in books."

I was supposed to be his girlfriend, but he never let me stand beside him in public.

Just like in that party game, I didn't even have the right to be teased as his romantic interest.

"I'm not going anymore. There's no point," I told my mom softly.

Suddenly, loud, frantic banging rattled my apartment door.

"Chloe, open up! It's me!"

I hadn't expected him to come looking for me, but I opened the door anyway.

"Lucas? What do you want?"

He grabbed my arm with bruising force, his face frosty.

"What was with that passive-aggressive comment on Mia's post?"

"Do you have any idea how upset she got? She ran off, and I can't find her anywhere!"

He shoved me back, slamming my shoulder against the wall. A sharp pain shot down my arm.

"Why didn't you just tell her you already have a girlfriend?"

His voice spiked. "I told you, we have to keep our distance!"

"Nobody can know we're dating! Absolutely nobody!"

"Is throwing this childish fit fun for you? Come help me look for Mia right now."

"If anything happens to her, you're the one to blame!"

I took a breath, trying to steady myself.

"Fine. I'll help you look. But the second we find her, we are completely over."

His eyes flickered with unease, but he said nothing.

We split up, searching in two different directions, calling out her name through the dimly lit alleyways.

I called Mia's phone over and over, sending dozens of texts.

No answer.

Turning the corner of a dark alley, I heard rustling noises.

I called Mia's name as I stepped closer.

Out of nowhere, a filthy, foul-smelling hand dragged me into the shadows.

A homeless man with bloodshot, clouded eyes pinned me against the wall, spewing vile slurs as his hands tore at my jacket.

I fought back frantically, grabbing a jagged rock from the ground and smashing it against his face. The moment he staggered back, I bolted.

I ran and dialed Lucas's number. The line was busy.

Refusing to give up, I dialed Mia.

The ringing went on and on, but nobody picked up.

I burst onto the main street and called the police with trembling hands.

I sat in the precinct wrapped in a blanket an officer had given me, shivering as I finished giving my statement.

At dawn, Mia posted an Instagram Story set to close friends—visible only to me.

The photo showed rumpled hotel sheets and two tangled hands.

Lucas's arm was wrapped securely around Mia's back, her cheek nestled against his bare shoulder.

A second later, she deleted it and sent me a direct message:

"Oops, Chloe! I sent that by mistake. Please don't get the wrong idea about Lucas!"

It was a blatant, calculated slap in the face.

So when the two of them walked up to me later that morning, hand-in-hand, a fury I had never felt before roared through my veins.

Without a second thought, I raised my hand and swung for her face.

Lucas caught my wrist before I could hit her and stepped between us.

"Enough, Chloe! I've already asked Mia to be my girlfriend."

"Stop harassing me."

Hearing those words, my legs gave out, and I sank onto the concrete.

The entire scene was caught on camera by passing students.