Chapter 2

"Scarlett, meet Alex—my roommate and closest friend on campus. Not bad-looking, right?"

The party's loud music and Brandon's playful nudge jolted me back to reality. This was it—the exact moment I'd first met Scarlett.

She'd never given me the time of day before, and tonight was no different.

She didn't spare me a glance, just kept sipping her drink like I wasn't even there.

Brandon slung an arm around my shoulders, grinning. "What do you think of Scarlett, Alex?"

"Scarlett's family owns half the real estate downtown—total old money."

I ducked my head, forcing a bashful smile and playing the part of the flustered freshman.

“She’s cool. Uh, I need to hit the restroom.”

Brandon was obviously into Scarlett, so why was he pushing her at me? And Scarlett—she was just as bad, stringing me along even though she couldn’t stand me. I was just a pawn in their messed-up game.

I splashed cold water on my face in the bathroom and took off my dorky glasses.

This time, I wasn’t gonna be their toy. Who says the underdog can’t come out on top?

I grabbed my bag and dipped without saying goodbye. Sure enough, I ran into Scarlett right by the door.

She was alone on a bench outside, hunched over something in her lap.

In my past life, I’d obsessed werewolf stories, so I’d memorized every detail of her life from Brandon’s gossip.

Today was her birthday—and the anniversary of her mother’s death.

Last time, everyone egged me on to toast Scarlett, but she laughed at me for confusing brandy with whiskey, leaving me standing there like a fool.

I ducked my head and pulled a carton of strawberry milk from my bag.

It was supposed to be my breakfast, but now it would have to do.

“Here, drink this. All that alcohol can’t be good for you.”

Scarlett shot me a icy look. “I don’t need your sympathy.”

I didn’t rise to it. I just set it down. “If you get sick, your mom wouldn’t want that.”

With that, I got up and left, ignoring the way she was staring at me.

Rich kids like her and Brandon never really saw me. I was just background noise.

But this time, I wasn’t just going to make her notice me. I’d make her fall for me, and then I’d sit back and watch her and Brandon tear each other apart.

When Brandon got back, he bitched about me ditching without a word. I kissed up like always, agreeing with everything he said.

If he skipped class, I'd sign him in. If he was too lazy to grab food, I'd bring it to him. He even whined the dorm washers were gross, so I hand-washed his clothes—every single piece.

My other roommates talked trash behind my back, calling me a brown-noser trying to leech off rich kids. What's the point, they'd say? They won't throw you a bone.

I pretended not to hear, playing the part of Brandon's loyal gofer.

Every day, besides running his errands, I had to listen to his bragging.

He'd moan the dining hall food was garbage, bragging his dad should just buy the campus food service already.

Sometimes Scarlett would stop by, bringing him gifts, snacks, all kinds of stuff. Once in a while, she'd even bring something for me too.

And to keep up the act, whenever I brought Brandon food, I'd make sure to bring some for her too.