Rewriting My Heart's Fate

"Ugh, what bad luck," Lyla muttered as soon as she saw Leah, making her dislike clear. She turned to drag me out of the store. "Eve, there are too many flies here. Let's shop somewhere else."

I glanced at Leah. Knowing her, she'd definitely cause some trouble, but I wasn't in the mood to waste any time and energy on them.

I nodded to Lyla. "Alright. Let's go."

As we started to leave, one of Leah's followers exchanged a look with her before snidely commenting, "Who does she think she is? Everyone knows she's about to go broke, yet she still struts around like she's better than everyone else." Leah pretended to stop her follower, "Don't say that."

"What did you say?" Lyla spun around, storming up to the girl with anger in her eyes. She shoved Leah aside, who yelped as she stumbled into a nearby clothing rack.

Another one of Leah's followers quickly helped her up. "Leah, are you okay? Lyla, how could you hit her?"

"So what if I did? You should keep your filthy mouth shut unless you want me to turn your face into a punching bag!"

Lyla moved so quickly that, before I could react, she was already raising her hand to strike the girl.

They outnumbered us three to two, and Lyla and I, who were used to a pampered life, couldn't even lift a small water jug, much less win in a fight. Plus, we were the ones who started it.

With the college entrance exam just around the corner, I didn't want Lyla to get into any trouble because of me. I quickly grabbed her hand before she could hit anyone and shook my head, but my actions only made them think I was scared. The girl sneered, giving Lyla a sarcastic thumbs-down. "Look at that. Even your master knows better than you. Why are you barking like a stray dog?"

In the next instant, a loud slap rang out as my hand connected with the girl's face. Living a second life taught me that one didn't always need to be confrontational and that it was not worth wasting time on people who didn't matter.

That was why I had ignored all of Leah's petty schemes lately. But my tolerance seemed to have made them think I was some pushover, weak enough that even my friends could be bullied and humiliated.

That slap was sharp and decisive, and almost as soon as it landed, a red handprint appeared on the girl's cheek.

was the first to react. She stared at

did

instinctively stepped in front of me. "Anyone with a

right? I remember you were almost expelled after the last midterm exams because of a fight. Your parents had to beg the principal to let you stay, didn't they?" Silverwood High School was the best in Yardville, attracting students from all

that we had more

at my words, but I

exam is tomorrow. I suggest you keep your nose clean, or we can see if you're ready to face the consequences

froze for a moment under

you threatening

sighed and felt my patience slip away. But I still tried to speak calmly. "You really don't need to keep

that I don't like Ethan anymore. You don't need to be hostile toward me, and you don't need

you're wise enough, you'll focus on your studies and work on improving yourself. Ethan's grandfather may not care about

and for some reason, none of them

looked at me, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but then she just swallowed hard. What

finish the thought, I heard a cold

can you tell whether you'll get

How much of what I said did he hear? Even though I no longer had feelings for Ethan, that didn't mean I

You always have

each step echoing in my mind. I swallowed nervously, trying

Just

was wrong to talk about others behind their backs, and I felt guilty for being overheard,

of Leah and Ethan. With

seeing the damage to their merchandise, didn't dare to