Introduction

The familiar AP Computer Science lab hummed, a painful reminder of last year's public humiliation.

My innovative app, once celebrated, shockingly showed abysmal results, while my boyfriend Ethan and Brittany unveiled an identical project, claiming victory.

My mentor' s disbelief, the principal' s shame, and my parents' crushing humiliation broke me.

Accused of fabrication, I spiraled into a dark, isolating breakdown.

Now, back in the lab for senior year, the wound still fresh, Ethan sat beside me, his voice a disarming lull.

Then, a thought, loud and sickeningly clear, echoed in my mind: "Keep coding, Maya! Every line brings me and Brittany closer to that MIT scholarship! Haha!"

My blood froze; this wasn't clairvoyance, but a chilling memory of his internal monologue, played just for me.

My dream, stolen by them, confirmed by his own mind - how was this possible?

The origin of this bizarre ability didn't matter; knowing the truth, I suddenly had a second chance.

They' d made their move, but they had no idea who they were truly dealing with this time.