My Genius Best Friend Ruined His Life

Chloe and Ethan grew up side by side, pushed together by their mothers and by a decade of shared ambition. Ethan was the genius who slept through class and still ranked first; Chloe was the one who studied until midnight to stay one step behind him. She had a bet to win in senior year, and a quiet hope that they would end up at the same university, and eventually together.

Then Skylar transferred in. She smoked, skipped class, and answered to no one, and Ethan saw in her the freedom he had never been allowed. His grades fell from A to C, his handwriting turned sloppy, and he began wearing what Skylar wore. When Chloe asked whether they were dating, he told her to mind her own business and got off the bus early.

Now Ethan skips study hall with Skylar and asks Chloe to cover for him, while Mrs. Gable begs her to talk sense into the boy she once knew. Chloe still has an Olympiad form to hand in, a bet to settle, and a best friend who is running out of time.