Chapter 4

My phone started blowing up around 9:30 AM, just as the first section of the SATs would be ending for those inside.

Texts from Liam, furious.

"Where the hell are you, Ava?"

"This is your fault!"

Then, a notification from Instagram. Jessica was live.

I clicked.

Her face filled the screen, tear-streaked, mascara running. She was standing outside the test center, rain dripping from her hair. Liam was beside her, looking grim. Mark, Sarah, and Chloe huddled behind them, looking defeated.

"I can't believe Ava would do this to us," Jessica sobbed into her phone camera.

Thousands were watching.

"She knew! She must have known about the flood! She left us, just abandoned us!"

Liam stepped forward. "Or her mom pulled some strings! That road doesn't just close like that! Ava' s mom is a tech CEO, she can do anything!"

The comments section exploded with outrage.

"Ava is a monster!"

"Rich girl sabotage!"

"Cancel Ava!"

Jessica read some comments aloud, her voice breaking. "See? People understand. Ava deliberately ruined our chances. She was always jealous."

Jealous? Of what? Her calculated malice? Her ability to manipulate everyone?

I watched, a strange calm settling over me.

Let them scream. The truth had its own schedule.