I was afraid everyone would miss the exam, so I reminded them one by one.
But what I thought was being responsible turned out to be a crime in their eyes.
Samantha looked at me with mockery dripping from her gaze.
"Watch—he'll run home and call our parents again. Little snitch."
I finally snapped. "I don't have time for that."
I forced my voice steady. "I promise I won't say anything. I won't call anyone. Okay? I just want to go home, rest, and do well on the exam tomorrow."
I tried to pry her fingers off my arm, but she used the motion to snatch my bag instead.
"What are you doing?!" I shouted, my stomach plummeting.
The next second, she pulled out my exam admission ticket and waved it in the air.
The blood drained from my face. I lunged for it. "Are you insane? Give it back!"
Samantha tossed it to Roger like she was playing fetch with a dog. Roger flicked it to another classmate.
They watched me scramble back and forth, grabbing at air, and laughed like it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen.
Samantha looked down at me, queen to peasant.
"Your promises mean nothing to me. The ticket's mine now. You want to take that exam tomorrow? Then behave. Don't ruin Roger's birthday."
My eyes burned. My voice shook.
"Samantha, give it back. Don't make me hate you."
Something flickered in her expression when she saw the raw hatred in my eyes. Her tone softened—just a fraction.
"All you have to do is keep your mouth shut, and I'll return it. We promised we'd get into the same university, remember? Of course I'll give it back."
"Just don't ruin Roger's eighteenth birthday."
I stared at her earnest face, and my heart sank inch by inch.
Eighteen years. We'd grown up together for eighteen years.
And my entire future meant less to her than Roger's party.
My whole body trembled. I couldn't look away from her.
She avoided my gaze, turning to the crowd with a bright smile.
"Crisis averted! Everyone can relax and enjoy the party now."
Roger was on her instantly, pulling her into his arms. His voice dropped low, intimate.
"Thank you, Samantha. This party is the best gift I could ask for."
Her ears flushed red, but she didn't push him away. If anything, she leaned in, her palm settling against his chest.
"As long as you're happy."
The room erupted in catcalls and whistles.
"I don't think the party's his best gift—I think you are, Samantha!"
"You're both legal adults now. A kiss isn't too much to ask, right?"
Samantha swatted at them playfully. "Oh, stop it."
But she couldn't hide the excitement dancing in her eyes.
I stood apart from them, watching. My nails dug into my palms so hard I nearly drew blood.
Laugh. Have your fun.
Let's see if you're still laughing tomorrow when you're staring at your exam papers.
I didn't bother asking for my bag back. I turned to leave.
But they weren't about to let me go.
Samantha's voice rang out like a verdict. "Don't let him leave. Lock him in the gym."
"We'll let him out after the party's over."
I glared at her, thrashing against the hands grabbing me. "You've lost your mind! Let go of me!"
Several guys swarmed in, wrenching my arms behind my back and dragging me toward the abandoned gym.
They hurled me onto the concrete floor. My arm scraped against the rough surface, leaving a smear of blood.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Samantha's face—gone in an instant, replaced by something almost gleeful.
She brought her heel down on my phone. Once. Twice. She didn't stop until the screen went black and stayed that way.
"Don't be so jealous," she said soothingly, like she was calming a child. "Just wait here like a good boy."
"I'm the class president. I'm just helping a classmate celebrate his birthday. If it were your birthday, I'd do the same thing."
"Stay put. I'll come back for you, and we'll walk home together."
The door slammed shut.
