Reborn: Love and Let Go

It was midnight, and I was out at my stall when the cops took me to the station.

They checked my profile and looked at me weirdly. "You're a Greatpeak graduate. What are you doing setting up shop in a bazaar?"

That was odd. I went through the profile and realized that yes, while the student's ID was mine, the photo was not. I knew the guy in the photo. Josiah Ferguson.

I had no idea I got accepted into Greatpeak University twenty years ago.

Eventually, I was released, but I had no idea how I trudged back home.

Then, I heard Hazel Quinley, my wife, talking to someone on the phone. "I won't let Michael get in your way, Josiah. Just go abroad."

So that's it! It was her! My wife helped Josiah take what was supposed to be mine!

I was sick. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to confront her and Josiah, but then she stabbed me in the back, and I died.

"I'm sorry, Michael. I can't let you ruin Josiah's future."

And then I woke up. I was taken back in time to my high school days. Our homeroom was giving out college application forms.

This time, things would be different. This time, I would take back what was rightfully mine!

Rebirth

"So, what university are you going to pick, Michael?" my deskmate asked.

I snapped out of it. Moments ago, I was still thrashing around in my agony. Now, I was staring at my deskmate. So young, so naive. Yes, I knew what must've happened. I was reborn.

"What's wrong, Michael?"

I was elated, but then I quickly shook my head.

Our homeroom teacher said, "Fill in the application. I want to know which university you've set your eyes on."

I stared at him. This guy was Hazel's father. Our exam marks were released. There was no need to even fill in the forms. We could do it online, yet our homeroom still found an excuse to gather us around.

I knew exactly what he was trying to do. He was trying to find a good sacrifice for Josiah. My fists balled up. In my previous life, this was around the time Hazel started wooing me.

I stared at the form and filled it in with some random university's name. Maybe I was imagining it, but our homeroom's gaze lingered on me for a moment.

And then my guess was confirmed. He stopped me once we handed in the forms. "Come to my office, Michael." He grabbed the forms and left.

My deskmate grabbed my arm. "You aced the exam. I bet you can get into Greatpeak."

Fifteen hundred points. Highest in my class, and yet I did not get into any university. I sought out my homeroom plenty of times, but he kept telling me I shot for something far out of my league.

He was the one who suggested I pick law.

From the corner of my eye, I glanced at Hazel. She was in the corner, napping, and I nodded at my deskmate. I would not repeat my mistakes this time around.

And so, I went into our homeroom's office. He said, "Well done, Michael. Why'd you pick these, though?"

I picked trade schools. Nearly all of them. Slowly, I answered, "Easy to get a job."

Our homeroom fell silent. He advised, "You shouldn't be filling these in at random. You're a boy. Studying law is better for you. Brighter future." He turned on his computer and loaded the application page.

I stared at the screen, my gaze mocking. Ah, he was going to force me into applying for law now that I wouldn't do as he wanted me to? Why? So he could let Josiah replace me?

"It's alright, sir. I love tractors." I turned around and, on my way out, ran into Hazel.

"Come to me if you have any questions about the application, Michael. Law's my dream."

Alarm bells rang in my head. I see. I see it clearly now. Both father and daughter were trying to push me into law, but I would not let them this time.

I nodded. "Thanks, but it's okay. I already know what I want."

Hazel hung her head low and smiled. "I see."

I strode out of the office and noticed Hazel closing the door, then I hung back and listened in on the conversation.

"He won't work with us, Dad. Can't we pick someone else?"

My heart sank. 'She wants to ruin someone else's life?' I thought.

Coldly, her father said, "He's the top scorer and our best shot. Our family owes Josiah. I'm sure you know that very well."

I turned around and left the scene. 'You're going to sacrifice another person's whole future just to repay the debt your family incurred? Even when I have nothing to do with you or him?'