Chapter 3

"Don' t tell my mom I ditched, okay?" Jake pleaded, his eyes darting towards Ashley, who was examining her nails like she was bored.

"Your mom pays me for results, Jake, not for keeping your secrets," I said, closing my book. "But since the session didn' t happen, you still owe me for the hour. My time is valuable."

The Chat lit up.

`User_MoneyBagsMiller: Wow, all about the Benjamins, huh?`

`User_PragmaticPrincess: Or maybe she just values her time? IDK.`

Jake sighed. "Fine, whatever." He pulled a twenty from his wallet and handed it to me.

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Can we go now, Jakey?"

He nodded, giving me one last awkward look before they left.

The next day at school, the "Jashley" show was in full swing.

They were holding hands in the hallway, Jake looking proud, Ashley soaking up the attention.

During lunch, I saw Jake hand Ashley a smoothie in a familiar insulated tumbler.

It was the kind my mom made, a special recipe she often gave Jake because Mrs. Peterson loved it.

My mom had even given me a similar tumbler, custom-decorated with little science beakers.

Ashley took a sip, then looked over and saw my tumbler on the table.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Is that the same drink I have?" she asked Jake, her voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

Jake looked uncomfortable. "Uh, yeah, Sarah' s mom makes them. They' re good."

"I don' t want something the help also has," Ashley said, wrinkling her nose. She then pouted. "And her tumbler is cuter than mine."

The Chat went into overdrive.

`User_SpoiledBratAlert: Ashley is such a diva! I love it!`

`User_TeamSarah: That' s so mean! Poor Sarah.`

`User_JakeIsWhipped: He' s totally gonna give her Sarah' s tumbler.`

Before I could react, Jake, looking pressured, walked over to my table.

"Hey, Sarah, can I, uh, see your tumbler for a sec?"

Before I could answer, he snatched it and walked back to Ashley, presenting it to her like a trophy.

"Here, babe. This one' s way better."

Ashley beamed, tossing her old, plain tumbler into the trash.

I just stared. Then I stood up.

"Jake," I said, my voice calm but firm. "That tumbler was a custom gift. It cost fifty dollars. You can pay me now or I can send your mom the bill."

The Chat was shocked.

`User_MoneyGrubbingAlert: FIFTY BUCKS FOR A CUP? She' s nuts.`

`User_GetYourCoinGirl: Yas! Make him pay! He' s a jerk.`

`User_ThisIsAwkward: He actually did that. Wow.`

Jake' s face turned red. Ashley just smirked, sipping from my tumbler.

"You' re serious?" Jake stammered.

"Deadly," I said.

He grumbled but pulled out his wallet again, slapping two twenties and a ten on my tray.

"You' re unbelievable," he muttered.

"I know my worth," I replied, taking the money.