cting Preston Vance arri

w would smile or nod at her. Today, as she walked down the aisle, heads turned away. Pe

esk in the very back

up. The midterm group project accounts for thirty percent of your final grade. You

aotic chatter as students scrambled to for

ica Adler, whom she had shared notes with last week.

ward the middle of the room. Preston Vance was sitt

ackpack. "Sorry, Elinor. We're full." She hurr

oth gave her immediate, flimsy

ut a loud, intentional burst of laughter. Preston caught E

ston had ordered the entir

stood alone in the quiet hall. She walked down to the po

uldn't find a group. Can I complete the project

exceptions. Especially not when Trustee Vance is reviewing my department's funding proposal this week. Fi

until her fingers hurt. A zero meant

d. Her stomach growled, a sharp reminder that she

her university email, hoping her wor

mail from the Fin

rty Grant has been reviewed and denied. Reason: Applicant fail

. The wind whipped her

for the entire semester. She knew her adoptive father's medical bills proved her poverty. The

ompletely

ino

ry class, was standing a few feet away, looking around

u can't win against him. He bragged about getting your grant

neck. She refused to ask him for anything beyond the bare minimum he provided. Buying her own food,

idn't do anything wrong, Sarah.

r with pity. "Suit yourself

bustling campus. The world felt like i

phone vibrat

number. Her thumb hesitated before swiping

he speaker. It was smooth, lazy, and laced with

out of her head. Did he know? Did he see

s white. She couldn't force a sing

o'clock tonight. The Pinnacle restauran

ne wen

e restaurant in the city. A summons from Boyd was never j

e. She had no money, no friends, and a m