At the freshman welcome party, Clara Dorne, the show-off girl decked out in designer labels, boasted that her brother had donated two buildings to the school just for her.
Instantly, a crowd of classmates swarmed around her, eager to cozy up.
I glanced at my brother, Jason Caldwell, hooked under my arm and asked with a forced smile, "When did you get yourself a sister behind my back?"
"Sorry, Grace Caldwell," Jason lowered his head, his eyes looking pitiful. "I got tricked in an online romance!"
Under my relentless questioning, Jason recounted his online dating saga. The show-off girl, Clara Dorne, had a sweet, soft voice online. Jason was ensnared by her brother's honeyed words and entered into an online relationship.
Jason bought her bags and flowers without batting an eye. But when they finally met in person, he realized all of Clara’s photos had been heavily edited.
"I didn't know how to refuse. I was dumbfounded. She threw another person’s image at me," Jason maintained his usual nonchalant demeanor. "You know I'm bad at rejecting people, but with how she looked, I couldn’t bring myself to... I just told her I already had a girlfriend."
"And then you let her be your sister?"
I disdainfully let go of Jason’s arm.
"Clara was relentless. Please, Grace, don't abandon me," Jason pleaded, reaching to hold my hand again as I pushed him away in disgust.
"An idiot brother can be discarded."
Jason Caldwell, my brother, was back on campus as one of the top ten successful alumni. Principal Levi Hollis planned to honor Jason in front of everyone for donating two buildings to the school.
Since it was the welcome party, I had to attend too. But it wasn't some commercial event, so I dressed casually. Jason asked me to come along.
I agreed. But after hearing his online romance story, I thought he was too stupid.
"Stay away from me, go have fun by yourself." I looked at Jason with disdain, maintaining some distance.
Jason wanted to say more, but then a soft voice called from a distance.
"Jason!"
Goosebumps prickled all over my skin. Clara pushed through the students who were talking to her, ran over with tiny steps, and shoved me aside.
"Jason, I knew you'd come." Clara stood in front of Jason, blushing.
I moved behind Clara, mouthed "Good luck" to Jason, and ignored his pleading eyes, heading off to grab some fruit.
Sitting leisurely on the sofa, I watched the show-off girl Clara pestering Jason while munching on fruit. I recorded the scene, planning to use the evidence to mock Jason later.
Jason used every trick he knew to resist Clara, but she seemed oblivious. Finally, Principal Levi called him on stage to speak, giving him a moment’s reprieve.
When Jason finished speaking, everyone applauded. I clapped the loudest. Someone nudged me disdainfully. Turning, I saw it was Clara.
She glared at me, pushed past, and walked forward holding a bouquet. As Jason stepped off the stage, Clara handed him the flowers with a smile.
I laughed, watching Jason's helpless expression. Levi descended too, chatting with Jason and assuring him that Clara would be well looked after at the school.
"Do you like Jason too?" someone beside me asked. I turned to see a guy standing with his hands in his pockets.
"Who doesn't like a rich guy?" I teased. He’s my brother; of course, I like him.
"I have money too," he said. His name was Wesley Farrar, a senior.
Jason had just graduated not long ago.
"Jason is a player. You won't be able to handle him," Wesley remarked.
"So what? As long as he's rich," I replied. After all, those women only care about Jason's money, and as long as he's wealthy, it's fine with me.
