I was the scholarship kid. My roommate, Mary, was the campus princess. But the moment we moved in, she insisted we become best friends. She swept me into her world of luxury, treating me to fine dining and lavish parties. She even introduced me to her childhood friend, the impossibly handsome and wealthy Wesley Thorne. But the moment Wesley and I actually got together, the princess wasn't pleased anymore. She “accidentally” knocked over my instant ramen, claimed the splash of hot broth had scalded her, and demanded I pay for her “injuries.” After I’d emptied my bank account for her, she spread a rumor that I was a thief, that I’d stolen her new Louis Vuitton wallet. The university put me on academic probation. My classmates ostracized me. Even Wesley broke up with me. “You’re an ugly duckling who got a taste of the good life and thought she could become a swan,” he’d sneered. I had no way to defend myself. Hounded by the gossip and cyberbullying, I dropped out. My spirit shattered, I fell into a river and drowned. But when I opened my eyes again, I was back in a crowded, pulsing bar, at the very moment Mary was introducing me to Wesley Thorne. 1 “Wesley, this is my absolute best friend from college, Lynn. What do you think? She’s a looker, isn’t she?” The deafening music and Mary’s teasing voice snapped me back to the present. This was it. The first time I’d ever met him. He hadn’t thought much of me then, and he didn’t now. He didn’t even bother to glance my way, just took another sip of his drink. Mary slung an arm around my shoulders, a sly grin on her face. “So, Lynn, what’s your verdict on our Wesley here?” she purred. “His family is in real estate development. We’re talking the wealthiest family in the entire state.” I lowered my head, feigning a shy, bashful smile. “He’s… impressive. I’m just going to use the restroom.” Mary was desperately in love with Wesley, yet she insisted on pushing him toward me. And Wesley, the bastard, played along, getting with me even though he couldn’t stand me. I was nothing more than a pawn in their twisted game. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, splashing my face with cold water. Then, I reached up and took off the thick, black-rimmed glasses that hid my face. Not this time. This time, I refused to be their plaything. And who says the ugly duckling can’t become a swan? I grabbed my bag and left the bar without a word to anyone. Just as I’d expected, I found Wesley outside. He was sitting alone on a hidden bench, his head bowed as he stared at something in the dim light. In my past life, I’d been obsessed with learning everything about him, piecing together his history from the scraps Mary would feed me. Today was his birthday. It was also the anniversary of his mother’s death. Last time, the whole group had pressured me into toasting him. He’d just laughed in my face, mocking me for not knowing the difference between brandy and whiskey, before leaving me standing there alone. I reached into my bag and pulled out a small carton of strawberry milk. It was supposed to be my breakfast for tomorrow, but now, it would have to serve as a prop. “Here,” I said softly. “Drinking so much on an empty stomach is a bad idea.” Wesley shot me a cold glare. “I don’t need your pity.” I wasn’t offended. I simply set the carton down beside him. “Your mother would worry if you hurt yourself.” Then, I turned and walked away, ignoring the piercing, questioning gaze I could feel on my back. Rich kids like him and Mary would never truly see me. But in this life, I wouldn’t just make him see me. I’d make him put me in his heart. And then, I’d make him and Mary turn on each other, becoming bitter enemies. As expected, when Mary found out I’d left, she complained that I’d disappeared without a word. I fell back into my old role, flattering her and soothing her ego. I became her shadow, her servant. When she skipped class, I answered the roll call for her. When she was too lazy to get food, I delivered it right to her dorm room. When she complained the campus washing machines were filthy, I washed her designer clothes by hand, piece by piece. My other roommate muttered behind my back, calling me a pathetic lapdog. “What’s the point of all that sucking up?” she’d scoff. “It’s not like she’s going to give you a dime.” I pretended not to hear, perfecting my role as Mary’s loyal follower. My days were filled with her chores and her endless bragging. The cafeteria food was “pig slop,” she’d declare, saying her father should just buy the campus and open a proper food processing plant. Occasionally, Wesley would stop by to see her, bringing flowers, gifts, and snacks. He’d even bring a little something for me, an afterthought. Riding on Mary's coattails, I started bringing him food, too, whenever I did a run for her. “Isn’t Wesley the best?” Mary would say, preening. “So many girls are after him. Do you like him?” I shook my head frantically, my voice full of rehearsed shyness. “How could someone like me ever hope to be with him? Besides, it’s obvious you’re the only one he really cares about.” My words hit their mark, and she beamed with satisfaction. Mary knew Wesley was crazy about her, of course, but she wasn’t ready to be tied down just yet. Soon, the annual university track and field meet would happen. She was a banner bearer for the opening ceremony parade. In my past life, she tripped on her dress, sprained her ankle, and a handsome athlete had swept her up and carried her to the infirmary. That was the day Wesley, consumed by jealousy, confessed his “feelings” to me. This time, however, on the day of the meet, I sprained my ankle first. Biting back a searing cry of pain, I limped my way across the field to deliver her makeup bag. Mary showed not a flicker of concern, only annoyance. “What took you so long? It’s just a sprain, walk it off! What if I’m late for the procession because of you?” I bowed my head and apologized, the perfect little pushover. Just then, the same well-built athlete from my memories appeared. “Hey, are you okay? Let me help you to the infirmary.” I blushed, waving him off, but nearly stumbled and fell. Without another word, he scooped me up into his arms and started carrying me off the field. Suddenly, an icy stare locked onto us. I looked up and saw Wesley. Mary, spotting him, called out in a delighted voice, “Wesley! Don’t I look beautiful today?” He didn’t answer her. His eyes were fixed on me. “Put her down,” he commanded the athlete. “I’ll take her.” Mary’s smile vanished. “Wesley, what are you doing? The procession is about to start!” “It’s okay, really!” I interjected quickly. “This student can take me. Don’t let me hold Mary up.” In the infirmary, the school nurse said the sprain was pretty bad and I needed to stay off my feet for a while. I thanked the athlete, finally learning his name was Thomas. Thomas started to leave but hesitated at the door and turned back. “Hey, uh… can I get your number? You know, in case you need help with anything.” I stared at his bright red ears, a little confused. Not long after, Mary was carried in, just as I knew she would be. Wesley brought her himself, his face a thundercloud. She looked like a fallen princess in her long, gauzy dress, with him as her grim-faced knight. Thomas returned with an ice pack, freezing in his tracks when he saw the two of them. Mary was wailing in pain. The nurse said she needed to ice it immediately. Without a second thought, Mary pointed at Thomas. “Give that to me. Now.” Playing my part, I said in a small, weak voice, “Give it to Mary first. I can get another one later.” Thomas looked annoyed, but he handed it over. “Okay, then I’ll take you back to your dorm first. I can buy you another one.” “Lynn, don’t you have hands of your own?” Wesley’s voice was sharp, dripping with disdain. “Why do you always need someone to run around after you?” But then, to everyone’s shock, he snatched the ice pack from Mary’s hand and knelt, pressing it gently against my swollen ankle. Mary’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wesley! I was using that! What are you doing?” He ignored her, his gaze lifting to meet mine. “Lynn, you like me, don’t you? Let’s be together.” I masked the cold fury in my eyes with a look of pure astonishment. Wesley wouldn’t fall for me this easily. This was just a game to make Mary jealous. I didn’t agree right away. I stammered, my voice trembling with fake nervousness, “I… I never said I liked you.” Then I fled, scrambling back to the dorm. Mary’s attitude towards me had flipped 180 degrees. She greeted me with a voice full of acid. “Well, well. I had no idea you were so good at seducing men. Hooking up with Wesley Thorne… you’ve really hit the jackpot, haven't you?” I kept my head down. “It’s not like that.” “Oh, stop pretending!” she spat. “Don’t tell me you don’t have a crush on him. I’ve seen girls like you a million times. Always trying to climb the social ladder, without a thought as to whether you even belong there. Even if he likes you, his family would never, ever approve of you!” This isn’t nearly enough, I thought to myself. I want more than just his affection. Wesley actually began to pursue me. He’d wait for me in the mornings to walk me to class, have lunch with me, and ask me out for evening strolls. With my sprained ankle as an excuse, I stopped being Mary’s errand girl. The dorm grew quiet, with no one talking to either of us. Eventually, she couldn't stand it and moved into an off-campus apartment. Slowly, in everyone else's eyes, it seemed I had genuinely fallen for Wesley. I’d blush when I saw him. I’d give him small, handmade gifts. I’d even share a portion of the food I bought with the money from my part-time job. I sent him ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ texts, sharing little details of my day, whether he replied or not. I ditched the clunky glasses, let my hair grow out, and though my clothes were simple, I had to admit, the girl in the mirror was becoming quite pretty. And gradually, I felt the way Wesley looked at me begin to change. He’d lean in close just to see me blush. He’d steal a kiss under a shared umbrella on a rainy day. We started to feel like a real couple. Until the night Mary got drunk. She burst into my dorm room and swiped the cup of ramen I was eating off my desk. I jumped back just in time, but the hot broth splashed across her own wrist. Even though she shook it off instantly, a painful red mark bloomed on her skin. She glared at me, her teeth clenched. “Lynn, I thought you were my friend, and you go and seduce Wesley behind my back? You’re such a pathetic bitch!” I maintained my innocent facade. “Seduce? Were you two officially together?” Mary fell silent for a beat, then pointed a trembling finger at me. “You just wait,” she hissed. “Do you really think Wesley Thorne would ever fall for someone like you? He’s just playing with you.” So am I, I thought. And I've already gotten what I wanted. A breakup is no big deal. Just as before, Wesley came to put me in my place for Mary’s sake. He dragged me into a private room at an exclusive club, filled with his circle of wealthy friends. “Just be reasonable, Lynn,” Wesley said, his voice low. “Mary’s never been hurt a day in her life. This happened because of you.” Mary stood with her arms crossed, a smug smirk on her face. “Make her apologize? Oh, I wouldn't dare. She’s your precious girlfriend now, isn’t she, Wesley?” He sighed, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Are you still jealous about this? You’re the one who introduced her to me.” Mary pointed to a line of full shot glasses on the table. “Fine. If you’re really sorry, drink this entire row of tequila, and I’ll forgive you.” Wesley didn’t object. He picked up a glass himself and held it out to me. “A whole row is too much. Just this one.” I took the glass from his hand. But then, with a flick of my wrist, I poured the contents onto the floor. “I’m not drinking a single drop.” In my past life, my frantic explanations were met only with laughter. They didn’t care about the truth; they just wanted a show. I was the ugly duckling, the toad lusting after a swan. I was, in short, not one of them. I’d been forced to drink the entire row and ended up vomiting right there. Mary had pinched her nose in disgust while Wesley had someone throw me out. This time, after emptying the glass, I slammed it back down on the table. The sharp clatter silenced the room. I stated my case, once and only once. “You got burned because you deliberately knocked over my food. You deserved it.” Mary shrieked, jumping to her feet. “Who deserved it? What happened to the timid little mouse? Finally dropping the act, huh? I knew you were a manipulative bitch all along!” she screamed. “I’m telling you, if you don’t drink this row and apologize right now, I’ll have you kicked out of this university by tomorrow!” Wesley frowned, shooting me a disapproving look. “Lynn, did you forget what I said? It’s just an apology. Why make this so difficult?” A small, sarcastic smile touched my lips. “I did nothing wrong. I am not apologizing.” He hadn’t expected this defiance. He grabbed my wrist, his eyes boring into mine. “What if I make you apologize?” I gritted my teeth and wrenched my arm free. “Then we’re breaking up.” Wesley’s face darkened instantly. Mary jumped in, a triumphant sneer on her face. “Lynn, do you really think you’re all that? Wesley was just toying with you! If anyone’s doing the dumping, it’s him!” But Wesley took a step toward me, his voice low and dangerous. “Break up with me? You don’t have that right.” “Whether I do or not isn’t for you to decide.” I turned my back on him and walked out, without a single glance behind me.
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