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.

first to react. She

did you hit

"Anyone with a brain knows

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 walks of life. There were those like Lyla and me, who got in by making hefty

poor was that we had more choices and

at my words, but I simply

tomorrow. I suggest you keep your nose clean, or

Leah, giving her a pointed warning. She froze for a moment under my stare, but quickly snapped out of it, her eyes filling with

you threatening

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

You don't need to be hostile toward me, and you don't need to focus all

your studies and work on improving yourself. Ethan's grandfather may not care

slowly, and for some reason, none of them said a word. I glanced at

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

I heard a cold voice behind me, followed by a sarcastic

so good at predicting the future, can you tell whether you'll get into St.

broke out on my back. Why was Ethan here? How much of what I said did he hear? Even though I no longer had feelings for Ethan, that didn't mean I could just casually talk about his family affairs. I felt a bit guilty, but mostly I

You always have so much to say, don't you,

in my mind. I swallowed nervously, trying to keep my expression neutral, and turned to face

Grayson? Just tell me, and

to talk about others behind their backs, and I felt guilty for being overheard, I wasn't about to back down. I knew I was in the wrong, but I

the sake of Leah and Ethan.

in the store froze, trembling in fear. Even the employees, seeing the damage to their merchandise, didn't dare