On the day college applications were due, I got a call from a number I didn't know.
"Don't go to Ashford! Your boyfriend has contacts there. He'll steal your research and use it to make your best friend look good."
"You'll be accused of plagiarism. Not just expelled — you'll go to prison!"
"Go to Brenton instead. Its ranking is lower than Ashford's, but your program there will become the best in the country."
I asked warily, "Who is this?"
The line clicked and went dead.
On my phone, a message from Stewart Henson was blinking.
"Babe, I know it's break, but don't slack off on your research!"
"I had a dream last night that your computer crashed and you lost everything. Why don't you send me a copy so I can back it up for you?"
Thinking of the warning from that call, a chill crept up my back, and I quickly added extra security to my computer.
I stared at "Ashford" on the application page, my fingertip hovering over the mouse.
While I was still hesitating, my best friend called.
"Felicia Dickerson, you're definitely putting down Ashford, right? I'm going to keep clinging to you all through college!"
I kept my voice as light as I could. "Ashford, of course. I can't stand the thought of us being apart either."
"..."
Joanna Pruitt's delighted voice came through the speaker.
"The usual place. Let's celebrate being together again in college!"
Her tone was as warm and familiar as ever, warm enough to make me wonder whether I'd imagined that phone call.
I agreed softly and went to the coffee shop, still uneasy.
The moment I sat down, Joanna grabbed my hand, all concern.
"How's the research coming? You look worn out."
Her concern felt genuine. I just couldn't tell whether she cared about my research or about how hard I'd been working.
"It's basically wrapped up. Just proofreading left."
The words had barely left my mouth when my phone let out an alarm.
【*One attack successfully blocked.*】
Someone was trying to break into my computer.
"What kind of alert is that? The sound is terrifying."
While Joanna leaned in, I switched my phone to vibrate and locked the screen in a show of fumbling panic, but slowly enough for her to read the words clearly.
"That was my alarm. I've got something to do, I have to head out first."
Just as I'd expected, Joanna caught my arm. "You just got here and you're already leaving? No way, I won't let you."
The phone buzzed frantically in my hand. I stole a glance at the screen. The blocked-attempt log was still refreshing, but the security hadn't been cracked.
When the buzzing finally stopped, Joanna waved toward the door.
"Stewart, over here!"
She let go of me and slid into the seat across from me. "What a coincidence, Stewart's here too."
I nodded mechanically and scooted farther in.
But Stewart sat down right next to Joanna.
Only then did I realize our seating had quietly shifted long ago.
At first, I'd sat beside Joanna, and Stewart across from me.
Then Stewart had started sitting across from Joanna.
After that, the two of them always ended up side by side, as if by accident, with me alone on the other side.
And because I trusted them so completely, I'd never once suspected a thing.
Once Stewart settled in, he leaned close to Joanna, his lips moving faintly.
The shape of the words looked like: Her computer's protected. I'll think of another way.
Disappointment flickered in Joanna's eyes.
Stewart finally turned to me, as if he'd just noticed I was there.
"Felicia, send me a copy of your research files, I'll keep them safe for you."
"What if your computer dies one day? All that work for nothing."
I took a sip of my coffee. "There's this thing called cloud storage."
"Cloud accounts get hacked too. If I keep a copy, isn't that double insurance?"
I didn't answer him. Instead I asked, "You're going to Miami?"
Stewart froze for a second.
"No. Why would I go to Miami by myself?"
