Born Above His Reach

After that day, I stopped studying with Blake. I went straight to my teacher and requested time off from school.

I heard from classmates that Maeve would often bring a few basic questions to Blake during breaks. The two of them would sit close together, heads nearly touching, whispering and laughing like no one else was around.

Some classmates couldn't stand it and quietly reminded Blake to be mindful.

Blake, however, said it righteously, claiming he was just helping a disadvantaged student change her future.

On the day the SAT results came out, I was sitting in a lab at Whitford University.

A few close friends texted me, asking about my score. I told them directly that I had secured early admission and was already at Whitford University.

They all congratulated me.

Meanwhile, the class group chat had already blown up.

Blake scored a 1500, and Maeve got a 1490.

The cutoff score was lower this year, and their scores were just enough to get into Arrington University.

I saw Maeve post a selfie holding her admission letter. Blake's shoulder was deliberately visible in the background.

[Thanks to someone's sacrifice, Blake and I finally get to meet at the top of Arrington University! True love can overcome anything.]

I tapped like on her post, then put my phone away and went back to studying.

The atmosphere at Whitford University felt calm in a way I had never experienced before.

On the first day of classes at Arrington University, Blake showed up outside the building for repeat students, drawing a crowd.

"Wow, isn't that Blake? He got into Arrington University. He's so handsome!"

"Those flowers must be for Samantha. I heard she's repeating a year for him."

"I'm so jealous. Even if she didn't make it, she still has such an amazing boyfriend."

As Blake listened to the murmurs around him, he straightened his back, a faint, almost patronizing gentleness settling across his face.

He walked into the first repeat class and scanned every seat.

I wasn't there.

He went to the second class, then the third, even checking the humanities classes.

Still no sign of me.

Maeve stood beside him, frowning slightly, as if she was concerned. "Do you think Samantha's embarrassed, so she's avoiding us on purpose?"

Blake's expression darkened. He could feel his pride slipping.

He had picked this exact time, during the break, just to show off his so-called devotion in front of everyone. If I didn't show up, how was he supposed to keep this act going?

He stormed into the teachers' office, his voice edged with frustration.

"Mr. Knowles, which class is Samantha in? Did she take leave?"

Our former homeroom teacher, William Knowles, was grading papers. He looked up, his expression complicated.

Blake didn't notice. He kept talking.

"I came to bring her flowers. I also wanted to tell her that even though she has to repeat a year, I'll support her the whole time."

William let out a cold laugh, full of open mockery. "Did you hit your head or something?"

Blake froze, the bouquet trembling slightly in his hand. "Wh-what do you mean?"

William didn't answer. He pulled a notice from his drawer and tossed it onto the desk.

It was the official list of early admission students that the school had just received a few days ago.

"Samantha's already at Whitford University. She's the only student in the entire state who got in early."