Chapter 5

Scarlett’s face dropped instantly.

Brandon jumped in. “Alex, you think you’re hot stuff? Scarlett was just messing with you. If anyone’s ending this, it’s her!”

But Scarlett stepped closer, moving in on me. “Break up with me? You don’t get to decide that.”

“Whether I get to decide isn’t up to you.”

I turned and walked out without looking back.

Inside the room, everyone tried to smooth things over. “He’s just some small-town kid, Scarlett. It was just a fling—don’t sweat it.”

“He’s just got a temper, that’s all. Don’t worry, he’ll be begging you to take him back in three days.”

Brandon was in a better mood, offering Scarlett a drink.

“You’re not really mad, are you? Alex just doesn’t know when to quit.”

Scarlett smashed her glass. The loud crash shut everyone up.

After a second, she spoke slowly. “It’s fine. Keep drinking.”

But that night, she checked her phone a million times, waiting for my goodnight text that never came.

Brandon wasn’t bluffing—he really was gonna get me expelled.

And sure enough, it happened.

I skipped class, hiding behind my bed curtains, and watched Brandon—who should’ve been in class—sneak into the dorm.

He had that brand-new LV wallet in his hand.

I pulled out my phone and recorded him putting the wallet in my locker.

At noon, Brandon showed up with a group and cornered me right in the classroom.

He looked all smug. “Alex, my wallet’s gone. You’re always hanging around me—did you take it?”

The classroom was packed, even people in the doorway.

I stayed calm. “Got any proof?”

Brandon sneered. “Proof? C’mon—you’re the poorest guy here. You couldn’t resist something nice, could you?”

“If you’d asked, I might’ve given it to you. But you just had to steal it. What kind of lowlife does that?”

People started whispering. A bunch of students pulled out their phones to record.

Theft’s a huge deal anywhere, especially on a college campus!

“Fine, it’s just a wallet. I’ll pay for it.”

Scarlett’s voice came from the doorway. The crowd parted for her.

Looked like she was here to back me up.

But I didn’t do anything. Why should I let them slander me?

I stood my ground. “Brandon, you got any proof?”

Scarlett frowned at me. “Alex, don’t cause a scene. Otherwise I can’t help you.”

Brandon lost it. “Scarlett, you’re actually taking his side?!”

“A broke loser like him—what makes him worth your time? You wouldn’t even know him if it weren’t for me!”

She wasn’t taking my side. She didn’t believe me either—just trying to save face.

Brandon ignored her and brought up his “evidence.” “I’m telling you—I found the wallet in his locker!”

His friends jumped in. “We saw it with our own eyes in his locker.”

“Alex, what do you have to say for yourself?!”

“Someone who steals doesn’t belong here! You should get kicked out!”

Weird, judgmental stares stabbed at me.

Brandon lifted his chin, walked up, and whispered, “You’re not even in my league to compete.”

But I smiled. I hooked my phone up to the classroom projector.

“Let’s show everyone how that wallet ended up in my locker then.”