Chapter 2Replacing My Ex With Her Rival

Gemma chased me down the hall. She reached out and blocked my path, her voice tight.

“Are you really willing to torch your entire future over this?”

My future? It was a future she had built for me, so in her eyes, it was hers to command.

The summer before high school, my parents told me they couldn’t afford to keep me in school. They wanted me to move south and join them working factory shifts. I spent a full night on my knees, weeping, begging them not to take away my education. I promised I would earn every penny, that they wouldn't have to pay a cent.

So, from the start of freshman year, I lied about my age and took every odd job I could find. After late study hall, the only place hiring a kid like me was a smoky BBQ joint downtown.

One night, Gemma and a few of her friends came in. I didn't know her then. She was in the class next to mine, but I was always either rushing to class, frantically doing homework, or sprinting to work. I hadn't even registered her existence.

It was her friend, Piper, who recognized me first.

“Isn’t that Kai Lancer? The scholarship kid from our class? No wonder he always smells like grease. He works here, huh? You guys, you should have been there one day when I passed him—I swear the smell nearly choked me.”

She sounded genuinely perplexed. “I just don’t get it. Do poor people love money that much? Honestly, with his looks, you’d think he’d find a faster way to earn a living.”

Every word felt like a slap. My face was on fire, and the glass of beer I was carrying began to tremble. I wasn't paying attention and slopped a bit onto a customer's shirt. I apologized immediately, terrified.

The drunk man was about to explode, but then he took one look at me, his rage turning into a lecherous grin. He grabbed my arm.

“It’s fine, little man. Come on, have a drink with your big sister, and we’ll call it even.”

I froze, paralyzed with fear and humiliation.

Bang.

The man went flying. He’d been kicked so hard he’d slid off his seat.

A faint, expensive scent of jasmine and citrus wafted around me. I turned, my eyes meeting Gemma’s.

She handed me a packet of bar napkins. “Don’t worry. It’s over.”

Her friends rushed forward and joined the brawl. It didn't take long for the group of creeps to stumble out, bruised and defeated.

Gemma wiped her hands on a napkin and looked at me. “It’s too late for a guy—or anyone—to be working out here. It’s not safe.”

Piper giggled. “Yeah, next time you might not be lucky enough to have beautiful girls like us save your ass.”

Then they left.

I looked at the furious expression of my boss. I knew I wouldn't have to work late shifts anymore.

Just as I suspected, the owner picked up my backpack and threw it at me.

“Get out! You’re done here, kid. I’m deducting the damage from your paycheck. Don't come back.”