Chapter 2

A few days later, the package arrived.

My new sneakers, a cult-favorite, limited edition. Four figures.

I' d pre-ordered them months ago, a little treat for myself.

I unboxed them in the room, the smell of expensive leather filling the small space.

Brianna' s eyes, predictably, latched onto them.

The next morning, she walked in from class, a triumphant smirk on her face.

She was wearing them.

Or, a version of them.

The shape was slightly off, the material looked stiff, the logo a little too bright.

A blatant, cheap knock-off. She' d paired them with a new outfit, also a poor imitation of one of my recent ensembles.

This was her pattern. Steal my style, then act like she was the trendsetter.

In my previous life, I would have said nothing, or maybe awkwardly complimented her, feeling a knot of discomfort in my stomach.

Not this Ava.

"Oh, Bri," I said, my voice loud enough for Chloe, our suitemate, to hear from her room down the hall.

Brianna beamed, clearly expecting praise. "You like?"

I looked down at her feet, then at my identical, authentic pair peeking out from under my desk.

"Interesting choice," I said, my tone dripping with false sweetness. "Those dupes are getting pretty bold, aren't they?"

Brianna' s smile faltered. "Dupes? What are you talking about? These are new."

"Are they?" I picked up one of my sneakers. "Mine just arrived too. Cost a fortune, these authentics. You know, the real ones? Over a grand. Quality really makes a difference, doesn't it?"

I let my gaze linger on the puckered stitching of her fake shoe.

Her face flushed a dark red.

Chloe poked her head out of her room, curious.

"It's just," I continued, "I'd hate for you to get called out. Some people are real sticklers for authenticity."

Brianna' s eyes welled up. "That's so mean, Ava! Why are you always trying to make me feel bad?"

She sniffled, turning to Chloe. "See? She' s always like this. Just because she can afford expensive things, she thinks she can look down on everyone."

Chloe rushed to Brianna' s side, patting her shoulder. "Ava, that wasn't very nice."

"Nice?" I laughed, a cold, sharp sound. "Is it nice to constantly copy someone and then pretend you're the original? Is it nice to wear cheap knock-offs and try to pass them off as the real deal?"

Brianna burst into full-blown sobs. "I just liked them! You' re such a bully!"

She grabbed her bag and ran out of the suite, Chloe glaring at me before following her.

Perfect.

Let her run to Dean Albright.

This was just the beginning.