This is the most perfect chapter.

本站添加: 2026-06-07

[00:00:00]When Ashley, the most popular girl in school, told me she liked me, her childhood buddy Chad stood there smirking. Dude, the sneakers she's wearing cost more than you make in a year. You can't actually believe she's serious, right? I actually did believe her. I was too naive to see that Ashley and I lived in completely different worlds. Then Chad's watch went missing.

[00:00:13]Ashley joined everyone else turning their suspicious eyes on me. If you needed money, you could have just told me, Nate, she said with a sneer. Why go this route? I was burning with anger. My fists clenched in my pockets. When I transferred, I blocked Ashley on every app. I left without a word. I never expected Ashley, who always had everyone at her feet, to look for me for seven years. After gym class, star quarterback Chad realized his ridiculously expensive watch was gone. Without me even knowing, he turned my backpack inside out in front of everyone. I walked into a disaster. He stood next to Ashley, his face like thunder. Ash, Nate's your boyfriend. Tell him to give me back my watch. Ashley and Chad had been inseparable since they were little kids.

[00:00:45]Everyone knew Ashley felt something for him. Even I had to admit, she and Chad always had more to talk about. I never knew what to say when they were discussing designer brands and limited edition this and that. This time though, Ashley didn't rush to agree with him.

[00:00:55]She calmly started cleaning up my desk before even looking at Chad. She said offhandedly, but not denying anything, It's just a watch. I'll buy you another one. The class exploded in whispers, each more accusatory than the last.

[00:01:04]Wait, are you saying Nate took it?

[00:01:06]Wouldn't be surprised. Everyone knows he's here on financial aid, and he was the only one who went back to the classroom during gym. Man, he could sell that watch and live off it for months, right? Hey, I heard his dad broke his leg years ago for stealing. I froze at the door, my face stinging from their words. I never knew the people who politely called me class president to my face would say this kind of garbage behind my back. Then someone yelled, Nate! The room went dead quiet. All eyes turned to the door. Even though I'd done nothing, the shame and embarrassment felt overwhelming. I saw Ashley turn, too. Maybe I was imagining it, but I thought I saw a flash of amusement in her eyes. When I tried to explain, no one cared. The more I protested, the weirder they looked at me. Whatever, Chad said with a dismissive scoff. It's not like I need the watch. He generously told everyone to forget about it. I wasn't about to let this accusation slide. As Chad turned away, I grabbed his arm and said I'd take him to check the security footage. Chad glared at me, his eyes full of scorn. I expected him to refuse. What I didn't expect was for Ashley to stop me. She came up close and said softly, It's okay, Nate. It's fine.

[00:01:55]Ashley always said that to calm me down when I was stressed. Hearing those simple words calmed me down. "I didn't take it." I said, looking down at her, feeling helpless. My dad came to drop off lunch. I went back to put it in the fridge. I didn't do anything. I only went back to the classroom to drop off the pot roast. My dad made it special for my birthday and dropped it off. But, Ashley didn't seem to care about what I was saying. She said it didn't matter, that she could fix whatever I'd done.

[00:02:13]But, why didn't it matter? I hadn't done anything wrong. Did Ashley really not know how important someone's reputation could be? I insisted on checking the security footage, and Ashley lost her patience. She suddenly let go of me and gave a light laugh. It was such a delicate laugh. I finally realized something was wrong. Slowly lifting my eyes to meet hers, I saw the smile on her face. I saw the unmistakable contempt in her eyes, just like everyone else. "Can we drop the act already? You really didn't take it?" She asked with a sneer. "I seem to remember you saying the other day that you were short on cash lately. Also, the security camera in the classroom just happened to break yesterday. Nate, didn't you know?" My head was ringing. I don't know why, but I suddenly remembered what Chad had said to me once. "You still don't get it. You and Ashley live in different worlds." I hadn't understood it then. Now, it suddenly made sense. Ashley, raised as the center of attention, was prejudiced against poor people. She would always believe Chad, who was from her same without a second thought. Ashley knew I had