Chapter 1
I was about to accept when my childhood friend Thomas publicly confessed his love to me. But suddenly, comments started floati-
ng across my vision:
“DON’T SAY YES!”
“What a jerk! After the main girl rejected him, he’s looking for a replacement. What did this poor girl do to deserve this?”
“She’s just a pawn in his game with the main girl. She’ll end up in a mental hospital after losing everything, and their fans will say
she deserved it.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Looking up at Thomas, I said, “I’m sorry.”
But Thomas wouldn’t give up. He kept confessing in various places around campus, with crowds cheering him on.
I had to find an excuse: “I already like someone else–it’s Nathan James.”
The comments exploded: “Whoa, she went straight for the main girl’s crush!”
“How does she know Nathan secretly likes her?!”
1
How would I know?
I didn’t even know Nathan James.
I just knew he was a distinguished alumnus.
When he attended school, he was a campus legend at A University.
Three years after graduation, stories about Nathan were still everywhere on campus.
The comments were clearly excited:
“Is the plot falling apart? This is getting juicy!”
“Nathan is gorgeous! He was the campus heartthrob as a student and now he’s a tech mogul. Most importantly, he’s loyal and
respectful! If I were her, I’d like him too!”
1
“Too bad he dies young in the story. If not for his early death, the girl wouldn’t have such a tragic ending.”
Thomas looked at me with reddened eyes: “I don’t believe you! Mia, tell me, when did you meet Nathan James? Where did you me-
et him?”
After the comments revealed he liked someone else, I did some investigating.
While I was studying hard at public high school, fighting to get into A University…
He was dating a girl named Jessica at private school.
They flirted for a year and dated for two years.
Everyone at school knew.
Including our mutual friends from private school.
I was the only one kept in the dark.
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Chapter 1
That little flame of love in my heart was doused with several buckets of ice water, extinguished completely.
I thought rejecting Thomas would free me from being the replacement girl.
But clearly, the plot was powerful.
A
Thomas was determined to make me his replacement and wouldn’t let go.
Every few days, he’d publicly confess his love.
Like now.
He stared at me demanding an answer: “Tell me, how do you know Nathan James? Where did you
meet him?”
I replied impatiently: “That’s my business. All you need to know is that I like Nathan, and I’m not interested in anyone else.”
The comments suddenly exploded:
“OMG, Nathan is in the car right next to you! He heard everything!!!”
“Drama!
