“Can you take us too? That’s the Harrison Group gala. We’d love to see how people like that live.

“Seriously. I heard Ms. Harrison is fiercely protective of her own. If we can get on her good side, we’ll never have to worry after college.”

Lucas lifted his chin, looking pleased with himself.

“Obviously. My dad is one of Ms. Harrison’s most valued business partners.

“Once my direct-admission offer is finalized, I’ll pick a few of you to come with me tonight.”

I stood from the corner of the auditorium.

A few minutes earlier, Ms. Turner had said I was in the way near the front. She kicked over my chair and told me to go crouch by the trash can in the back.

I brushed the dust from my uniform pants and started toward the principal’s office.

Lucas stepped sideways and blocked my path.

He looked me up and down, taking in my faded old uniform, then let out a sharp laugh.

“Where do you think you’re going, Mason?

“To see the principal.

“Your grades don’t qualify you for direct admission. The spot was supposed to be mine.”

Lucas sneered.

“Wow. An idiot has one good dream and suddenly thinks he’s a genius.”

Laughter rippled through the auditorium.

I stopped and looked at him seriously.

“I’m not dreaming.

“I am a genius.”

The laughter died instantly.

Everyone stared at me.

Lucas’s face went red, the vein in his forehead jumping.

That one sentence completely set him off.

He shoved me hard in the shoulder.

“Who the hell do you think you are?

“You’re some unwanted bastard who doesn’t even know who his father is!

“Your mom had a freak like you and got what was coming to her!”

For one moment, I stopped breathing.

Guilt and pain tore through me all over again.

I did not hit him back.

I did not even look at him.

Lucas blinked, then laughed even louder.

“What’s with the act? Your rich backer probably ditched you already.”

Just then, the auditorium speakers crackled to life.

Lucas started to turn toward the stage.

Then the heavy double doors burst open.

The principal rushed onto the stage.

He was drenched in sweat. He grabbed the microphone, his voice trembling with panic.

“Emergency announcement!

“Harrison Group has withdrawn every dollar of funding from this school!

“Ms. Claire Harrison herself is on campus to investigate a bullying incident!”

The auditorium fell utterly silent.

Lucas’s speech slipped from his hand and fluttered to the floor.

The confidence on his face shattered piece by piece, replaced by naked fear.

“C-Claire Harrison?”

He could barely get the name out.

Before anyone could react, a rush of heavy footsteps sounded outside.

A commanding woman strode into the auditorium, flanked by a line of black-suited security guards.

She shoved past the crowd without slowing down.

Her eyes were red, and sweat clung to her hair.

The moment she entered, she scanned the room and shouted:

“Who the hell is Lucas Hale? Senior Class A, student number 202607?

“You bullied my brother?

“Get out here.”