5
Damon ended the call. “You’re reading into things too much.”
Seeing him still playing dumb, I slapped him hard. “Damon, you’ve got some nerve. Using my future to boost Claire’s. It’s disgusting.”
His face flushed, but he kept his gaze locked on me. “Callie, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“I applied to Washington Ivy, not Cedarwood Law. Your ‘precious‘ can’t become a lawyer now.”
11:26 AM O
<
Damon finally looked desperate. He grabbed my shoulders, pleading, “Callie, I’m begging you. Let Claire have your spot at Washington Ivy. I’ll do anything you want.”
I yanked myself away and said coldly, “Give me a billion dollars.”
“What?”
“If you can give me a billion, I’ll let her have it.”
Damon was speechless, and I laughed. “Oh, can’t afford it? Then don’t even ask. Pathetic.”
Ignoring my insults, Damon pressed on, “Callie, Claire’s parents died saving me. I owe her this.”
I kicked him hard, raising my voice. “Your family owes her, not me. Why should I have to pay the price?”
Damon reached out to grab me, but I snapped, “Get lost! Don’t touch me–you’re revolting!”
Hurt flickered across his face. “I’m sorry, Callie. Please, just change your application…”
How could he even say this with a straight face?
“If you want to repay her, give up your own future.”
I took out my key and unlocked the door, but Damon clung to me, begging.
“If you let her have the spot, I won’t go to college either. I’ll stay with you.”
I slapped him again. “Get lost, you dirtbag!”
Still not satisfied, I kicked him over and over until he finally retreated, his thick skin still somehow intact.
My last kick sent him tumbling down the stairs. I watched, unflinching, as he struggled to his feet, looking pathetic.
I locked the door, not worried that Mr. Everett would mess with my application since I’d already changed the password.
It seemed Damon had finally given up. He didn’t come back to bother me.
Two weeks passed, but no acceptance letter arrived. My spot had been taken again.
It seemed Claire had dropped her plans for Cedarwood Law and decided on Washington Ivy instead.
I felt my anger rise but forced myself to calm down. I dialed 911 and tearfully reported, “My college acceptance was stolen.
Officer Lake, the same one from before, arrived and asked, “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I didn’t get my acceptance letter, but Claire Bright did. I scored 702, and she barely got over 400.”
Clearly, something was wrong.
Officer Lake and her partner followed me to Mr. Everett’s house. He looked uneasy as we arrived.
I choked out, “It was him. He stole my spot.”
Feigning calm, Mr. Everett asked, “What are you talking about, Callie?”
“I didn’t get an acceptance letter,” I said, enunciating each word.
Mr. Everett tried to brush it off, “Maybe you were aiming too high with your application. That doesn’t mean I stole your spot.”
Officer Lake stepped in, “I was there when Callie submitted her application. Her score is good enough for Washington Ivy.”
Mr. Everett’s face hardened as he looked at me, but I just smiled, knowing I’d beaten them.
11:26 AM
