Born Above His Reach

Right before the last full-length practice exam ahead of the SAT, my boyfriend, Blake Romero, who had always ranked in the top ten, somehow ended up with a score of zero.

His eyes were red as he clung to me, his voice shaking while he said he had developed severe test anxiety.

"Samantha, there's no way I'll get in this year. Can you stay back and retake the year with me? I can't do this without you."

Looking at how pale he was, I almost gave in.

On my way to the school clinic to grab him some meds to calm his nerves, I accidentally overheard him talking to a girl from a poor family.

"Blake, what if Samantha finds out you're lying to her?"

His voice turned soft, almost indulgent.

"Relax. She loves me so much that she would give up anything for me. Even if she finds out, so what? Besides, her family's loaded. Losing a year won't matter to her. Arrington University only has two spots this year. As long as Samantha doesn't take the exam, those spots are ours."

Standing outside the door, I felt as if I had just had a bucket of ice poured over me.

So this was his plan! He was willing to ruin my future just to clear the way for the girl he really cared about.

What he didn't realize was that Arrington University had only ever been my backup, something I chose just to stay by his side.

Without him dragging me down, I could aim for something better.

I leaned against the cold wall, memories from the past three years flashing through my mind like a film reel.

Back in freshman year, Blake Romero had sat next to me in class.

I was known around school as the untouchable top student. He, on the other hand, was just average.

During a school hiking trip in the second half of sophomore year, I got lost in the woods.

Blake was the one who found me, drenched in sweat, the soles of his shoes worn thin from running around.

He pulled me into his arms, his voice trembling as he said, "Samantha, I was going crazy trying to find you."

He took advantage of that moment alone and told me how he felt.

After spending two years around him, I did have feelings for him, too.

So I made him a deal. If he could get into the same college as me, I would be his girlfriend.

To make that happen, I stayed after school every day to tutor him. With my help, his grades shot up in just a year, landing him steadily in the top ten.

We promised each other we would go to Arrington University together. For him, I even gave up a guaranteed recommendation to a top-tier college. Every night, I stayed up late with him, grinding through practice problems.

But after Maeve Palmer showed up, everything started to shift in subtle ways.

Maeve transferred in a month ago. The moment she walked into class, her looks drew everyone's attention.

The class even voted her as the prettiest girl.

Back then, Blake had complained to me about how shallow everyone was, saying Maeve was nothing but a pretty face.

I never expected that just a month later, he would fall for her. He was even willing to throw my future away for her, at that.

It was the middle of a blazing summer, but all I felt was cold.

"Blake, you're something else. Even someone like Samantha fell right into your hands." Ronny Olson's teasing voice drifted out of the classroom. "You really gonna dump her? She's the top student and quite pretty."

Blake let out a cold laugh, his tone dripping with mockery.

"If it weren't for that bet with you guys, I wouldn't have bothered going after someone that boring. All she ever does is study. Being with her is dull as hell! Once I got her, it wasn't even fun anymore. And she's always trying to tutor me. It's annoying."

Ronny burst out laughing. "Still, you pulled it off. Got both the class beauty and the genius."

Blake wrapped an arm around Maeve, looking smug. "Samantha's got the grades and the money. Losing a year won't hurt her. But Maeve doesn't have that luxury. Getting into a good college is her only way out."

I stood outside the door, listening to their unrestrained laughter.

So in his eyes, I was nothing more than a prize he won from a bet.

Well then, why should I slow myself down for him?

He must've forgotten.

In the first place, I was never someone he could reach.