Chapter 4

The dorm room was unbearable. Brianna alternated between icy silence and passive-aggressive sighs.

My father, true to his word after my call, had a quiet chat with the university president.

Suddenly, a single suite in the newest, most luxurious off-campus university-affiliated apartment building became available. Just for me.

I moved out within days.

Peace. Finally.

Or so I thought.

My social media was locked down tight, friends-only, private stories.

Yet, somehow, Brianna kept pace.

I posted a picture of a new, unique indie-brand sweater on my private Instagram story, just for a few close friends.

Two days later, I saw Brianna on campus wearing a strikingly similar, albeit cheaper, version.

She even managed to get the same obscure brand of Korean lip tint I' d mentioned in a private chat with Chloe.

Then came Ethan Hayes.

He was a senior, charming, popular, involved in student government. We' d hit it off at a campus event. He asked me for coffee.

We met at "The Daily Grind," an off-campus café.

Five minutes after we sat down, Brianna walked in.

She was wearing the exact same shade of teal cashmere scarf I had on, one I' d bought just the day before and hadn't posted anywhere.

She "accidentally" bumped our table.

"Oh, Ash! Ethan! Fancy meeting you here! What a coincidence!" Her smile was dazzlingly fake.

Ethan looked confused but polite.

Brianna pulled up a chair, uninvited, and dominated the conversation, all while subtly trying to one-up me, dropping hints about her "struggles" and her "resilience."

Later, Ethan showed me messages from Brianna. She' d found his number somehow and was texting him, using phrases and emojis I often used.

It was chilling.

Tyler Stone, Brianna' s aggressive friend from her hometown, also started his campaign.

Campus social media forums lit up with anonymous posts.

"Watch out for the rich bitch Ash Miller, thinks she owns the place."

"Heard Ash M. is a total poser, steals styles then bullies anyone who calls her out."

It was relentless. Subtle digs wouldn't work. Talking to the Dean was a temporary fix.

She was escalating.

So would I.

My family owned a beach house in the Hamptons. An "end-of-semester" party seemed like the perfect venue for a more public statement.

I made a very select guest list.

Of course, Brianna would get an invitation. I knew she wouldn' t be able to resist.