Stolen Genius, Reclaimed Fate

r, pulling Brend

ington, b

! And you' re defendin

g to Ethan' s arm. "I did

arrived, drawn by the commot

loe. "She plagiarized my scho

loe' s tear-streaked face to Brenda' s furious one. Then,

clear. "I saw Sarah Miller near Brenda' s locker earlier this week, around th

something I had nothing to do with. The audacity, the cold calculation, it took my breath a

d me alone in the

r sincerity. "Brenda would have destroyed Chloe. You know

o my loyalty, the loyalty

e, Ethan?" I aske

. It' ll blow over. Just... don' t make a f

noticing for the first time a slight dullness in his usually bright

igned nod. "Okay, E

"Thanks, Sar. I knew

in my eyes, or the resolve hardening in my heart. He s

crucifixion. Principal Henderson

ch of academic integrity has occurred regarding t

itness" account and Chloe' s tearful (and false) testimony

cholarship offers were put "under review," which meant they were gone. The looks from m

nic illness always flared up under stress, and this... th

always knew she wasn't that smart." Brenda Lexington reveled

his arm around Chloe, protecting her, while I was torn apart by the school' s judgment. Chloe, meanwhile, blossomed, her confidenc

an approached me,

ngs are tough." He looked genuinely regretful for a momen

face. His skin looked a little sall

Ethan," I said, my voice co

on' t be like

you and Chloe destroy

e check still in his hand. His atonement was

Ethan needed to believe I was still somewhat pl

s problem in the library, the same kind of problem he

help?" I asked, my voice

d. "Oh, uh, yeah, Sara

like old times. He watched m

... you' re still the s

by," I said, with

s just watching the locket do its work, draining his academic prowess, his