Early the next morning, I had just woken up when my phone rang. It was my best friend, Lucy Granger.

Her voice buzzed with excitement. "Amelia, breaking news! Did you know Maverick and Ginger missed the exam yesterday?

"Apparently, Maverick rushed to Ginger's house to get her admission pass, but they got stuck in traffic on the way back. In the end, neither of them made it into the exam hall. It's already all over the local news."

I was quiet for a moment before replying calmly, "I know. I was there. I saw it happen."

"What?" Lucy exclaimed. "You didn't try to stop him? I heard our homeroom teacher was furious when he found out.

"He was counting on you and Maverick to get into Bloomdale University or Clarkston University, so you two could make him proud. Now, it looks like you're the only one left."

Lucy was still the same passionate 18-year-old young lady, but I wasn't 18 at heart anymore.

In my previous life, hearing news like this would have sent me into a panic over Maverick. However, this time, I didn't want to meddle in someone else's fate again.

I replied calmly, "I didn't stop him. That was his choice, and he shall bear the consequences. It has nothing to do with me. Oh, I broke up with him on the spot, and he agreed."

Lucy was clearly taken aback by the news on the other end of the phone. "You broke up?"

"Yeah."

She paused, then sighed. "Well, it's sudden, but honestly, it makes sense. Something about Maverick has always felt off.

"That was the college entrance exam. How could he risk everything just for Ginger? I don't know. It just feels weird."

I smiled faintly to myself. It wasn't a surprise that Lucy felt something was off too.

Maverick had simply been too good at pretending. Even I, who had shared his bed for years in my previous life, never realized what he truly felt.

But it didn't matter anymore. From now on, I would only focus on my own growth.

As for Maverick, I was curious to see whether his life would still go smoothly in this lifetime.

…

At the class reunion, Maverick walked into the private room with Ginger in his arms. They sat close together on the couch, publicly showing their affection for each other.

Everyone wore expressions of barely concealed anticipation, their gazes flicking between me and the couple.

Someone broke the silence first. "Maverick, I heard you and Ginger are planning to retake the exam next year?"

Maverick nodded.

Ginger nestled sweetly against him and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "On the day of the exam, Maverick personally went home to get my admission pass. Even though we missed the exam, it showed me how sincere he is.

"We're together now. After repeating the year, we'll enroll in the same university. We've thought everything through.

"After graduation, we'll get married and have twins—a boy and a girl. We'll be happy together forever."

Maverick looked proud hearing that. "School can wait, but if you miss out on love, you might never get it back. Besides, I have good grades. I can still get into Bloomdale University next year."

Ginger blushed shyly. She lifted her chin and kissed him.

"Ah!" The room instantly erupted in shrill screams from the young women.

Amid the noise, Lucy quietly glanced at me and said cautiously, "Amelia, don't take this too hard. He said he liked you not long ago, and now he's already moved on so quickly. Breaking up was probably the right choice."

I turned to her, gently patting her hand. "Don't worry. I'm really not upset."

Maverick and I met after we were in the same science track in our sophomore year in high school. We were both assigned to the top science class. I was first in rank while he was second. The teacher deliberately seated us together, hoping we would help each other study.

Over time, we grew closer. There was nothing we didn't talk about. Even during breaks, we would lean together discussing problems, often attracting teasing whistles from the guys in class.

Every time that happened, Maverick's ears would turn red as he apologized to me. I would lower my head too, afraid to meet his eyes.

Then, one afternoon after school, he confessed to me.

He was tall, slim, academically gifted, and had flawless skin. He was clearly a potential candidate for Bloomdale University or Clarkston University. Back then, I thought I was the main character of a school romance, chosen by fate to meet my perfect Prince Charming.

No one could have imagined that everything would come to a brutal stop on a stormy night ten years later.

Lucy saw how silent I became and comforted me, "Maverick is all looks. He is a total player. And don't even get me started on Ginger. She speaks sweetly to every guy she lays eyes on and hangs out with all kinds of sketchy guys.

"If her family didn't have money, she would have been disciplined by the school ages ago. I don't think they're decent people. They won't last."

I chuckled, wrapping my arm around Lucy. "Don't worry, babe. I really don't care anymore. Seeing them together actually makes me happy. I really hope they stay together forever."

After the results were released, admission teams from Bloomdale University and Clarkston University showed up at my house. They were fighting over me, telling me I could choose any major I wanted.

In the previous life, I wanted to study computer science, but Maverick talked me into civil engineering instead. Once I started college, I realized I hated that major.

I forced myself through an entire year of nonstop studying, pulling countless all-nighters, just to make it through. Finally, I managed to transfer to computer science in my sophomore year.

This time, without Maverick interfering with my decisions, I chose Bloomdale University's computer science program from the start. After submitting my applications, Lucy invited me to the mall for dessert.

By sheer coincidence, or bad luck, we ran into Maverick and Ginger just as our desserts were served.

Ginger clung tightly to Maverick's arm. Without asking, she joined us at our table.

"What a coincidence, Amelia. You're here for dessert too, huh? I'm so jealous of you single ladies. You still get to hang out with your best friends.

"Unlike me. I'm stuck with Maverick every day. I can't shake him off, no matter what I do."

Maverick smiled dotingly at her. "That's because you're too adorable. I can't help wanting to be with you all the time."

"Stop it," she said coyly. "There are other people here."

Ginger leaned over and planted a kiss on Maverick's lips.

Lucy grimaced in disgust and shot me a look. I glanced over, completely unfazed.

Once Ginger was done showing off, she turned to me and asked, "Amelia, going off to college by yourself must be pretty lonely, right?

"What a pity that Maverick can't go with you anymore. He's repeating the year with me."

I smiled faintly but said nothing.

However, Lucy couldn't help herself. She deliberately put on a sarcastic tone. "Yeah, it's definitely lonely. Amelia's taking the computer science program at Bloomdale University.

"That's not something just anyone can get into. By the way, since you two are repeating the year, why are you still out and about, having fun?

"If I were you, I would be panicking already, probably rushing off to a prep school the very next day to start grinding on practice questions."

Ginger's face flushed red from anger. She pointed at Lucy, but was so consumed by her frustration that she couldn't get a word out.

Maverick's expression darkened. He frowned and looked straight at me, his tone unpleasant. "Amelia, you applied for computer science? That's such a niche major.

"Didn't I tell you to choose civil engineering? This is the era of civil engineering. Pick the wrong major, and even a Bloomdale graduate will not be able to find a decent job."

Ginger immediately perked up at his comment. "Is it really true, Maverick?"

Maverick nodded, appearing more stern as he spoke, "Even Bloomdale University's computer science program can't compare with a bottim-tier college's civil engineering. Alas, Amelia's future doesn't look very promising."

Lucy's face reddened instantly. She wanted to argue back, but was uncertain what he said was actually true, so she could only look at me anxiously.

I glanced at Maverick, completely unimpressed. "My future is none of your business. What are you even doing here, acting like an expert?

"No matter how bitter you are, I still got into Bloomdale. And you? What college did you get into?"