His Cruel Joke, My Broken Heart

ts were posted, my name was at the top. First place. The coveted Stanford early admission scholarship was

The Stanford admissions team arrived at our school, launching an investigation. They interviewed students, teachers, administrators. I notice

called me into her office. I walked in, a nervous flutter in m

with a pity I couldn't quite decipher. "I'm so sorry, de

d, then roared in my ears. "Revoked?" I whispered, my

ad there been another incident I wasn't aware of? A terrifying thoug

s credible. And... well, Damian Cameron spoke with them. He corroborated some of the claims. H

The coldness that had settled in my heart solidified into a block of ice. I numbly walked out of th

t the brick wall, a look of faux concern on his face. He

oid of any emotion. "Did you tell them I

and this scholarship was her only way out. You're smart. You'll get into another great school. I can even help you apply to a differe

h. "Anything I want?" My voice ech

either. The admissions committee, sensing something was off, had suspended the early admiss

id you do, Elena?" he demanded, his voice thick with accusation. "Gigi is devastat

y his outburst, hover

m!" he continued, ignoring my stunned silence. "Th

" I said, my voice

You always were. You can't stand to see anyone else get ahead. You're so twis

t like physical blows. He wasn't jus

snarled, stepping closer, his face inches fro

, and for the first time, I saw noth

over the school bulletin board. Each one was a piece of my soul, torn out and exposed for public ridicule. My fervent hopes, my secret crus