Chapter 3

I never thought Blake would personally seek me out.

"Heard you were peeping on Chloe and me getting cozy yesterday? That desperate?"

People around us had already stopped, pulling out their phones.

"Move." My voice was low as I tried to walk around them.

"Chloe told me you've been harassing her, refusing to let go," Blake said loudly, making sure everyone could hear. "Broke bookworms are always broke bookworms, can't even keep a girlfriend. Know what she said on my bed last night? She said you—"

I didn't wait for him to finish. I punched him square in the face. Blake, caught off guard, clutched his face, staring at me in disbelief. His two goons instantly lunged.

"Jason! Are you crazy?!" Chloe's voice suddenly cut through the crowd. She pushed her way to the front, glanced at the bruise on Blake's face, then turned to me, her eyes filled with accusation. "How could you hit him?"

I looked at her, suddenly feeling an absurd hollowness. For over twenty years, I hadn't even raised my voice at her, and now she stood beside the man who had humiliated me, demanding answers.

"Chloe," I wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of my mouth. "Last night, you called for help. Was *this* the kind of 'help' you were calling for? Blake's bed?"

A ripple of whispers broke out among the onlookers. Chloe's face went white, then quickly flushed crimson. "What are you talking about?!" she shrieked. "I never called anyone!"

Blake’s eyes glinted maliciously. "I'll make sure you can't stay in this school. My dad's a board member. Who do you think the Dean's office will believe?"

I met his gaze head-on. "What else do you have besides your daddy's money?"

Blake stumbled back, falling onto the ground, his face a grimace. His two goons started forward but were held back by my stare.

"Jason!" Chloe suddenly rushed over and grabbed my arm. "Do you know what you're doing? Blake's family—"

"I know," I shook off her hand. "He's rich and powerful. So what? Is that why you chose him?"

Chloe's lips trembled. "You just don't understand..." Her voice suddenly dropped. "The life I need, you can't give me..."

"And are you getting it now?" I scanned the growing crowd, then looked at Blake, still sitting on the ground. "Being with someone like this, is *that* the life you want?"

Chloe didn't answer, but her eyes flickered. Just then, the piercing whistle of campus security echoed from a distance.

Dean Miller, without asking questions, sternly reprimanded me, "Jason. You assaulted a fellow student without provocation. According to school regulations, that's a disciplinary strike."

"Without provocation?" I couldn't help but retort. "He started it—"

The Dean cut me off. "Considering your otherwise good record, if you're willing to apologize publicly, we can go easy on you."

I looked at Blake. A triumphant smirk played on his lips, his eyes practically screaming, "You're done for."

"I won't apologize." I met the Dean's gaze directly. "He provoked and insulted me and my family first."

The Dean's face grew even sterner. "Jason, think carefully. A disciplinary strike will affect your MIT exchange qualification."

My heart sank. The MIT exchange was a goal I'd worked for two years, my only chance to escape my current situation. I looked at Blake, his smile widening, clearly knowing this was a sore spot.

The room fell terrifyingly silent. I thought of my parents, working overtime in the factory, of them scrimping and saving every penny to send me to college, of the light in my father's eyes when he said, "Son, our family is counting on you."

Then I remembered Blake's sneering face as he insulted my parents, and Chloe standing by his side.

"I'd rather take the disciplinary strike than apologize to someone like him," I said, every word deliberate.

The Dean shook his head in disappointment, picking up his pen to sign the document. Just then, the door was suddenly pushed open.

"Wait!" A familiar voice rang out.

I turned in surprise to see my roommate, Sam, standing in the doorway, breathless, holding up his phone. "I have video evidence! Blake provoked him first! And his two goons started the physical contact!"

The Dean frowned, taking the phone. The video clearly showed the entire incident. The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted.

Blake suddenly stood up. "That video's edited! My dad—"

"Enough!" The Dean sharply cut him off. "Mr. Blake, we will handle this matter fairly. Now, please go back to your room."

Blake's face was ashen as he glared at me, then slammed the door shut and left. The Dean tiredly rubbed his temples. "Jason, while your actions were understandable, hitting someone is still wrong. Write a statement. This matter ends here."

Walking out of the Dean's office, Sam punched my shoulder. "You're a wild one, man!"

My phone buzzed. It was an email from my advisor: "Final confirmation for MIT exchange. Please submit your visa documents as soon as possible."

I took a deep breath and replied, "Already prepared. Will submit tomorrow morning."