Sorry Boys, You're On Payroll

The four of them stepped in, blocking my view.

Adrian flashed his student council president badge. "Stay away from Serena. You're broke. Don't get ideas, or you won't graduate from Alverton U."

Then he looked at me. "Serena, he didn't say anything weird, right?"

I shook my head, blank.

They relaxed.

"Your birthday's at the end of the month," Adrian said. "We'll take you to an auction. Buy you something nice."

Right. The fake birthday I made up.

I slipped back into character.

"You remembered...? I'm so touched. But I've never been to an auction. What if I embarrass you?"

They told me not to worry.

Before the auction, a gown was delivered to me.

I frowned.

My limited-edition custom dress should've been in my closet. Why was it in their hands?

Then it clicked.

I pulled up Chloe's account.

Of course—she was live.

"Taking the poor girl out to see the world again. The dress? I lent it to her. I never repeat outfits."

She covered her mouth, laughing, flashing a sapphire ring the size of a pigeon egg.

"She probably can't even walk in heels. Think she'll face-plant?"

My face went cold.

The dress. The earrings. The ring. The necklace.

All mine.

I walked out like nothing happened.

The four of them were waiting at the entrance. Chloe held up her phone, ready to catch me humiliating myself.

The second I stepped in, heads turned.

"She's gorgeous."

"Which family is she from?"

The four of them stared like they'd forgotten how to blink.

Chloe's smile cracked.

I flipped my hair. Please. Do you even know who I am?

The jewelry auction started.

I couldn't care less.

They kept pushing, so I pointed at a necklace at random.

"Three hundred thousand," Timothy called.

"Five hundred thousand," Henry said coolly. "Not letting you have this one."

"Eight hundred thousand," Adrian added.

Chloe's eyes went red with envy. She tried to jump in—couldn't get a word out.

They kept bidding. Three million.

Timothy and Henry backed off.

Adrian was about to take the win when Finley cut in. "All in."

He crossed his legs, slipped an arm around my shoulders. "Told you I'd win Serena's birthday gift. I keep my promises."

When it was over, the necklace sat in my hands.

Speechless.

When I said I didn't want it, I meant it. I'd already tossed pieces like this aside.

Chloe strutted over. "Finley, I like this too. Give it to me?"

She shoved a few crumpled bills into my arms. "Jewelry matches the person. You should stick to the dollar store."

I looked at Finley, eyes glossy. "I don't deserve something this expensive. You can take it back—"

He panicked. "Who says you don't deserve it?!"

He brushed the corner of my eye, then shot Chloe a look sharp enough to cut glass. "It's her birthday. You're trying to grab her gift? Is that appropriate? She was happy. You made her cry. Apologize."

Chloe went tomato red. Tears on cue. She spun and ran.

That night, the livestream fired up again.

On camera, Chloe wedged herself between the four of them, crying hard.

"Why did you treat me like that today?!"

Adrian handed her a tissue. "It was just acting. We had to make that country bumpkin buy it."

Finley smirked. "Did you see how devoted she looked? Dumping her's gonna be epic."

Timothy shrugged. "Relax. When we get paid next month, I'll buy you the most expensive necklace."