Sorry Boys, You're On Payroll

Henry nudged his glasses up, a shadowed smile on his lips. "Buying stuff? Boring. Making her pay it back ten, a hundred times—that's the fun part."

The live chat blew up:

[Getting emotional over crumbs? I'm dead]

[When she finds out it's fake she's gonna lock herself in the bathroom and sob]

[You better stream the meltdown. I'm waiting.]

Chloe lit up at the camera, all sugar and fake innocence. "Next Monday's the grand finale! Eight p.m., open-air theater—live broadcast of 'Cinderella Gets Dumped.'"

I smiled.

Perfect. Monday was the day I reported back to Dad.

The next few days, they were tense. Kept asking if I loved them.

I leaned into each one, eyes soft, like I'd hand over my whole heart.

Just enough to keep them calm.

A few days later, my dorm entrance was drowning in flowers.

Four bouquets. Four letters. Same line in every one: Monday, 8 p.m. Don't be late.

That day, I got dressed. "Carefully."

The gown they "gave" me. The "expensive" jewelry they'd sold back to me.

Every little setup? I took it.

Before I even reached them, someone blocked my path.

"Serena!"

I looked up. The same guy who'd warned me before.

"Don't go. You'll regret it." He was sweating, already pulling up Chloe's livestream on his phone. "They've been playing you from day one!"

I tilted my head, smiling like we were talking about the weather. "I know. But who's playing who? That's still up for debate."

I walked past him without slowing down.

Waiting for me wasn't just the four of them. Chloe was there too—plus a ring of people with phones up, ready for the show.

They dropped the sweet act. Finally.

Adrian sneered. "You didn't actually think we were confessing, right?"

Finley laughed. "We played you for a month and you thought you were the main character?"

Laughter burst around us.

Someone chimed in, "She's probably already planning her rich-girl wedding. Poor people really do have wild dreams."

My eyes went red on cue. My voice shook. "So... the flowers, the dates, the auction... all fake?"

Timothy lifted his phone, livestream blazing. "Not just fake. The whole internet's been laughing at you. You've been the joke for a month."

Henry ripped the necklace off my neck. "Chloe's stuff isn't for you."

Chloe strutted over, circling me. "Clothes really do matter. In my dress and jewelry, you almost pass. Too bad the fantasy's over."

She stepped behind me and tugged. The zipper slid down my back.

"Take it off. Give it back."

Whistles cut through the crowd.

I stayed still. No arguing. No panic. I just smiled and lifted my hand—

Slap.

The crack snapped through the air.

Chloe froze, hand pressed to her cheek, eyes wide.

All four of them blew up.

"You wanna die?!"

"We humored you and now you're cocky? You think you're on our level?"

"I'll strip you and make you walk back to the dorm naked!"

Before they finished, someone appeared behind me.

A coat settled over my shoulders.