The Swap That Sentenced Them

Hampton pulled Lily into his arms, voice soft—so soft I barely recognized it.

"No need to go. You're kind. You did nothing wrong. She's the one making a scene over a stupid battery and killing the vibe."

Lily peeked at me and shivered. "Will Juliet feel unwell?"

Then, louder—just enough for the crowd—"When my grandma's heart acted up, she fainted right away. Maybe Juliet's young. She can still stand there and watch the show."

Hampton's dorm bros cracked up.

"Yeah. She's got plenty of energy to yell."

"Doesn't look like a heart patient."

"Bullying a pretty freshman 'cause she's jealous? Faking sick for attention? Please. That trick's outdated."

Hampton frowned at me clutching my chest, like I was something gross on his shoe.

"Done pretending? If you were that sick, you'd be on the floor. You're just petty. Can't handle a younger, prettier girl getting attention."

I wanted to slap him. My body didn't cooperate.

My heart pounded harder. Cold sweat soaked my back.

"The pacemaker... it's dying. I need to charge it. My heart will stop..." I grabbed his sleeve with the last of my strength.

Lily gave a tiny laugh. "Juliet, you almost look real right now."

Hampton sneered. "Wow. Heavy breathing right on cue. With acting like that, you should be in soap operas. You'd blow up online."

He shook me off. I hit the cold floor.

Pain shot up my spine, but the weight crushing my chest drowned it out. I reached into my backpack for my meds. One pill. Just one to get me through the performance.

Finally—found the blister pack.

Under the shifting stage lights, I squinted at the foil.

[Multivitamin.]

My dad packed my life-saving meds himself. So how—

I snapped my head up at Hampton.

On the way here, he'd complained I walked too slow. Took my backpack "to help."

I forced my voice steady. "Where's my medication?"

Lily covered her mouth, soft gasp—perfect volume for the audience.

"Juliet, don't be like that. I saw you only had two pills left. It looked... kind of sad. So I swapped them for the vitamins I take. Full sheet. Nine tablets. Imported."

Like she'd upgraded me.

Rage shook through me. The stabbing in my chest spread down my arms. The blister pack slipped from my hand.

"Who told you to touch something that keeps me alive?"

Lily scooped the vitamins up fast. Her eyes went red on command.

"Even if you don't like them, don't throw them away. This sheet costs over two hundred. I just wanted to help your health."

"Lily meant well. What's your problem?" Hampton grabbed the vitamins, then my chin, forcing my mouth open. "Take them. Don't waste her kindness."

His fingers dug into bone. Tears blurred everything. I tried to turn away. He held me still.

"I can't take vitamin A. It clashes with my meds. It'll trigger arrhythmia. My heart can't handle it."

His grip loosened—just a little.