rn for the others to see. "Whoa, easy there, Ethan.

the audience, pain

, Brandon," I said

imed in, her voice shrill. "You're embarr

ness, my academic success as arrogance. Brandon was their charismatic le

randon's friends sneered. "Too good for us n

t's what this

external drive with all my coding projects, and the sealed envelope with my signed accept

low, malicious smile spread across his f

mportant, huh?" he taunted,

" I demanded,

nds held

ut there was no conviction in h

manila envelope. "Stanford, huh? Impressive." He waved it

The sound of tearing paper was louder than all the chatter in the restaurant. He didn't stop there.

e, of absorbing their casual cruelty, it all broke. I sh

shaking with rage. "Are you insane? Do y

ng with triumph. "Maybe now you'll know what it's like to be a norm

grade, every single opportunity. Something you wouldn't understand.

he air. His face hardene

regret saying t

e table, away from the watching eyes of the other students. Chloe watche

eading to the restaurant's storage rooms

ggling against their

ndowless utility closet. The smell of bleach and ol

Ethan," Brandon sneer

eaming, came rushing back. The walls felt like they were shrinking, pressing

! Let me ou

r side. "We'll let you out when you lea

tarted to tunnel. I fumbled in my pocket for my phone, my finger

umber on my favor

wice. It felt l

okay?" his voice cam

"Help me. I'm at The Gilded Spo

"I'm on my way. Just hold on, son. T

storage area... I

he was coming, that he was just minutes away. I slid down the door, curling in

s before I heard a commotion outside the door. My dad's

mall space. My dad was there, his face pale with worry and an

ppened?" he asked, his

don and Chloe, their faces sho

in," I managed to say,

xpression was terrifying. "You two. You

ers and the stares. As we got into the car, he kept

voice finally s

ripped documents. I didn't tell him about the poisoned food or the ful

re. I would handle this my way