Chapter 2
Ryan snatched my phone and hung up.
“Are you out of your damn mind, Scarlett? We’re all classmates here–it’s just a game! Did you seriously have to call the cops?!“]
I took my phone back and slipped it into my bag.[]
Slowly looked up at him and said, word by word: “Of course.“[]
Instantly, everyone went dead silent. Madison’s face was priceless.[]
“Can I leave now?”
4-
Since you hung up on them, the cops might actually think something happened to me. If they call back…“]
“LET HER GO!“]
“Ryan, you can get the hell out too!”
Madison’s eyes were red as she screamed, then threw herself on the couch and started bawling.
I grabbed my bag and walked out, but Ryan just stood there.[]
In front of him: his girlfriend of eighteen years.]
Behind him: some senior he’d known for less than a month.[]
He looked at Madison sobbing at the table, and his scales tipped: “You went too far tonight. You ruined everything and made Madison cry. I’m staying to comfort her…“[]
I kept walking without looking back, hearing Ryan’s panicked voice behind me:]
“Scarlett, wait up! Let me call you a ride–it’s not safe for you to be out alone this late.”
See? He knew exactly what he was doing.
But he still chose to stay.
I’d known Ryan Castellano for eighteen years. This was the first time he didn’t follow me home.]
Back in my dorm, Lface–planted onto my bed.]
My roommate Hazel immediately swarmed me. “So? How was the club party? Fun?“]]
I buried my head in my pillow, voice all muffled. “It was whatever.“[]
Hazel patted her chest in relief. “Good. I heard that Madison chick forces freshmen to drink or humiliate themselves every year at these things. Always targeting girls too. Thank god you made it out okay.“]
は
Chapter 2
I lifted my head, confused. “She does this every year? Nobody fights back or reports her?“]]
Hazel made a face, munching chips while she answered. “Report her to who? Her uncle’s the dean of students. College is just society in miniature–freshmen gotta take their lumps.“]
I frowned, thinking.]]
So Madison wasn’t just some random bitch. She had connections.[]
The rest of the night, Ryan completely vanished.[
In the morning, I picked up my phone.]]
Madison had posted three Instagram stories.[]
First one: [Morning sunlight hits different when you’ve got someone’s back to lean on]]]
Clear shot of some guy’s back muscles, all defined and shit.]
Second: [Ugh, I usually HATE pepperoni pasta, but since a certain someone made it for me… guess I’ll give it a try][]
Third: [Had to borrow from the closet after last night’s fun? Honestly didn’t know they made adult clothes this small… like shopping in the kids‘ section]]
The picture showed her in front of this huge floor–to–ceiling mirror, wearing limited edition cartoon pajamas and slippers, hugging a giant teddy bear.]]
In the corner of the mirror’s reflection: some guy putting on clothes.
Ryan fucking Castellano.]
Everything she was wearing–every single item–belonged to ME.
And that apartment she was showing off? That was my grandfather’s penthouse that he left me when he died.[]
Sure, it wasn’t as fancy as my family’s other places, but this was from his first big score when he built his empire from nothing.]
Both my mom and I were born in this apartment. It meant everything.[]
By now I was seeing red, but I forced myself to stay calm. I liked the post and commented:[]
[Only been gone a couple days and my place became a brothel? How’d I miss that memo?]
Instagram blew up.
Madison deleted everything fast.
Ryan’s call came immediately: “Scarlett, let me explain–it’s not what you think.“[]
“Ryan, get your hookup out of my apartment! And…“[]
“We’re done.“]
