Betrayed Genius: My Stolen Future, His Downfall

1: 1

At the graduation party, everyone was ribbing Nat Cox about where he'd put down for college.

"Columbia," Nat said, flat and certain.

The crowd whooped and looked between the two of us. Everyone knew Columbia was my dream too.

My best friend, Abigail Finch, congratulated me, envy all over her face.

"Congrats, Barb. I'm so jealous. A childhood friend that amazing, and you've got the brains for a top school too."

I was floating on it, right up until Nat drove me home and confessed.

"Sorry. At the last minute I changed your application to a state school."

"Abby and I are together now, but she's insecure. I was afraid having you around would make her overthink."

"Trust me, you're brilliant. You'll shine anywhere. She's different. She clawed her way up just to barely reach Columbia."

When I said nothing, he added, "Don't worry. It's only four years. The second you graduate, I'll marry you, just like both our families want."

Looking at that selfish, self-satisfied face, so sure I'd never say no, I was so angry I laughed.

At home, I didn't cry or scream. I opened my laptop and replied, in English, confirming a full Ivy League scholarship.

Then I gathered the proof that Nat had logged into my account and altered my applications, and sent the whole package to the university admissions office and the police reporting line.

1

"Barb, you didn't answer my messages last night. Are you still mad at me?"

Nat pushed my bedroom door open, a note of reproach in his voice.

Abigail trailed behind him, eyes slightly red, a fruit basket in her hand.

I was at the computer. On the screen, the reporting line showed three words: Report received. Calmly, I closed the laptop.

"I'm not mad." I turned around and looked at them coldly.

Nat let out a breath and strode over, reaching to ruffle my hair the way he always did. I tilted my head and dodged.

His hand froze in midair, and his brow knit at once.

"Barb, what is this now? I already told you, four years, and I'll marry you when we graduate."

"State's a good school too. You're so smart, you'll come out on top anywhere."

Right on cue, Abigail stepped forward. She tugged softly at the hem of my shirt and made a timid little sound.

"Barb, I'm sorry. It's all my fault, I'm too stupid. If I don't go to Columbia, my parents will kill me."

"Nat only did it because he feels for me. Don't blame him. If you're angry, hit me, yell at me, whatever you want."

Tears rolled down her cheeks, like she was the one who'd been wronged beyond bearing.

Nat immediately tucked her behind him and wiped her tears, aching over her.

"Abby, what are you crying for? I decided this. What does it have to do with you?"

He turned back to me, his eyes full of disappointment and impatience.

"Barbara Henson, you're usually so sensible. How did you get so petty all of a sudden?"

"Abby's health is bad, she's under so much pressure. Would it kill you to give a little?"

"You've had every advantage since you were a kid, top grades to back you up, the teachers always favoring you. Abby only has me. Can you not be so selfish?"

Watching him wear that righteous face, I just felt sick.

"I'm selfish? Nat, what gave you the right to change my college applications without my consent?"

"That's my future. Who are you to decide it for me?"

Nat sneered and crossed his arms, looking down at me.

"Your future? Your future is marrying me and being Mrs. Cox!"

"The Cox family is wealthy. Do I need you out there showing your face, working yourself to death?"

"You go to State, get the degree, sit tight until graduation. What's wrong with that?"

Just then my parents, having heard the commotion, came in from the living room.

The moment my mother saw Nat, she switched on a smile.

"Nat, you're here. Why are you standing? Sit, sit."

Nat put on the mild, well-mannered face of a good young man.

"Auntie, Barb's still angry with me over the college thing."

My mother blinked, then waved it off as if it were nothing.

"Oh, that? Nat told us all about it yesterday."

"Barb, come on, a girl. What good is doing so well in school? You'll get married in the end anyway."

"Nat is so good to you. He's even mapped out the road ahead for you. What's there to be unhappy about?"

I stared at my mother, unable to believe it, and the last bit of warmth left in me went cold for good.

"Mom, he changed my applications, sent me to a school I don't want. And you think that's good for me?"

My father's face hardened and he snapped at me.

"Is that any way to talk to your mother? Nat did this for the bigger picture!"

"Abby's family is ordinary. She needs the Columbia degree to land a good job. Why are you fighting her over it?"

"Besides, Nat's promised to marry you after graduation. Don't be so ungrateful!"

Behind Nat, Abigail smiled, pleased with herself.

"Uncle, Auntie, don't scold Barb. She's just not thinking straight right now."

Nat sighed and made a show of being magnanimous.

"Never mind, Uncle, Auntie. Let her cool off on her own."

"Barb, I'll come see you again tomorrow. I hope you'll be more sensible by then."

Watching their backs as they turned to leave, I spoke, cold and level.

"Nat, you're going to pay for thinking you know best."