Chapter 2
Back at the dorm, Sarah and her two sidekicks were huddled together, whispering.
When they saw me walk in, they exchanged a look, and shut up.
Seeing their little clique, I rolled my eyes.
I skipped orientation because I was under the weather.
So, by the time I got here, Sarah had already befriended
everyone.
At first, I figured it was normal that it would take me a few days to fit in.
But now I remember that Sarah was super helpful when I first brought my suitcase in.
But when she noticed the designer logo on my bag, she started making snarky comments.
“Are you trying to show off? Showing up to college with a multi–thousand dollar suitcase? You want everyone to know your family is rich?”
I was too shy, I blushed and explained.
“It’s not on purpose. I just had a lot of stuff, so I grabbed the
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Chapter 2
biggest suitcase from home.”
Sarah’s face darkened, and she dropped my bag on the floor and walked off.
That suitcase was enough to set her off.
If she knew I had a seven–figure trust fund, she’d probably explode.
I ignored their snarky stares, opened my laptop, and started typing out my campaign speech.
Sarah walked over, grabbed my arm, acting friendly.
“Hey, Ashley, are you still mad at me? I’m sorry about what happened in class. I was wrong.”
She looked so sincere, like we were besties who just had a fight.
“We’re all in the same dorm, Sarah was just concerned. But you called her breath stinky in front of everyone. We’re girls, so let’s try to understand each other.”
Tiffany also joined, pretending to be all fair.
I pulled Sarah’s hand and laughed, “I’m not mad at all! You’re misreading me.”
“I actually think we’re a lot alike. I’m super blunt, like I just say
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what’s on my mind.”
“In class today, I thought your breath was kind of bad. Maybe it’s because you’re stressed out, you should go to a doctor.”
I was telling the truth. Sarah loved fried food, and she was always up late. Her breath always had that nasty fried chicken smell.
Sarah’s face twisted. She yanked her hand back.
“Ashley, you think just because your family is rich you can treat people however you want?”
I grabbed a tissue to wipe my hand.
“You think just because you have bad breath you can talk trash all the time?”
“You… you’re a bitch!”
Sarah pointed at me, her lip trembling.
Jessica rushed to her side. “Okay, Sarah, chill out, it’s not worth it.”
“I thought all those rich kids were well–mannered, a waste of resources on you!”
Sarah spat.
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Before I could respond, a cool voice came from the top bunk, “Ashley just said two words to you, it’s not like she was bragging about being rich. Why are you so quick to attack her? You sound jealous.”
‘And you’re handing out your ultimate move and your flash just because she’s using her basic attack?”
It was Michelle, another roommate.
I looked up at the closed curtains, thinking.
Michelle was always alone, never interacted with any of us. She didn’t seem to care about our petty squabbles.
When Sarah and the girls excluded me, Michelle was the only one to show any kindness. But she never spoke up to defend me like this.
Sarah was shocked that Michelle would call her out.
She looked up and then down, unsure who to curse first.
Watching her struggle, I was suddenly happy, I patted Michelle’s bed.
“Wanna get some seafood? My treat.”
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After that day, Sarah and her lackeys gave me space.
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Michelle wasn’t exactly friendly, but she quietly peeled my shrimp when we ate, and silently helped me carry my packages from the mailroom.
I’ve never had true friends, so when Michelle was nice to me, I was especially drawn to her.
She was always there for me, no matter what I needed.
But sometimes her stare felt like it was more than just a roommate or friend.
It was… like she was my protector.
14
The class meeting was coming up, and Sarah, knowing I was running for class rep, couldn’t help herself.
“I think you should just give up now, you know? Class rep is not for just anybody.”
“Wouldn’t want you to lose and try to jump off the roof again.”
I didn’t even look at her. “Get lost.”
Michelle had just returned with my assignments and speech.
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Sarah pounced, “Running errands for our little rich miss now?”
“Michelle, don’t take it the wrong way, but you’re always doing everything she asks. She treats you like a servant. Typical rich girl.”
Michelle acted like she didn’t hear her, and placed my assignments on my desk. “500.”
“Got it.”
I instantly transferred the money and kissed Michelle on the cheek, “Thanks, babe.”
Sarah’s eyes widened, and Tiffany, who had just finished printing out things for her, looked upset.
If anyone here was the rich one, it was Sarah.
Tiffany and Jessica were her go–fers. They got her food, took her packages, printed her stuff.
But she wouldn’t even pay for their iced coffee.
Even her campaign speech was written by Tiffany,
Tiffany wanted to be a class rep. But she had stage fright, so she was stuck doing the dirty work for Sarah.
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Sarah, seeing Tiffany, suddenly got uncomfortable.
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She hugged Tiffany and said she’d buy her a drink tomorrow.
Michelle handed me my speech. “How’s it going? You feeling confident?”
“Yeah, I’m not gonna let those who don’t deserve it take this position.‘
“”
I put emphasis on the words “don’t deserve it.”
Sarah glared at me. Tiffany looked thoughtful.
“That’s not something you need to worry about. You’re definitely not going to get it, just wait and see.”
Sarah said and slammed the door shut behind her.
“Why is she so sure you won’t win? You think she’s gonna try to sabotage you?” Michelle asked, frowning.
“Let her try.” I casually stapled my speech together,
I wasn’t the pushover I was before.
