Chapter 4

I stood backstage in the school auditorium.

Today was high school graduation.

Tiffany, arm-in-arm with Derek, walked in, drawing everyone's attention.

Her designer gown made a stark contrast to my simple white T-shirt. Immediately, classmates gathered around, showering them with compliments.

"They're a match made in heaven!"

"Derek even gave up Cambridge for Tiffany, that's true love!"

Tiffany chimed in with a mocking laugh, her voice laced with schadenfreude.

"Ava, you'll find true love someday too."

Other classmates joined in the taunting.

"Is Ava regretting not holding onto Derek back then?"

"She couldn't even if she wanted to, Derek clearly doesn't like her."

"The clingy follower who's been chasing him since childhood finally got completely dumped!"

Derek, hearing this, looked even more smug. His gaze landed on me again.

"Ava, why did you push Tiffany the other day? If you had been nicer to her, I might have, out of consideration for our past, helped you get into Cambridge."

Just then, the auditorium doors flew open.

Mr. and Mrs. Chase stormed in, their faces pale with fury.

They clutched a thin piece of paper tightly in their hands.

It was the community college acceptance letter that had arrived a few days ago.

Mrs. Chase locked onto Derek and rushed over.

"Derek Chase! You rotten scoundrel!"

She thrust the paper so close it nearly brushed his nose.

"What is this?! Southgate City Community College?!"

"You told us Cambridge had already accepted you. That this community college nonsense was just to placate Tiffany! How could you actually throw your future away like this?"

All the color drained from Derek's face.