k, my hands shoved deep into my pockets, my knuckles white. For three straight years, my name, Liam Turner, was the first one

not

n this year's final examinations," Principal Thompson boomed fro

weight settling in my gut. It wasn't possible. I had checked my work, I had memorized eve

ys used to get what he wanted. He shook the principal's hand, accepted the heavy glass trophy, and held it up for ever

ng out into the hallway. I stayed behind, my f

wall. He spun the trophy in his hands, mak

me to hear. "You always thought you were so much better than me,

t, Ethan?" I aske

of innocence. "Maybe I'm just a late bloomer.

s he was always chewing. "Don't look so down. It's jus

st scholarship the school offered, the one that was m

n the library, a designated quiet study period. I was going over my notes, the ones I'd spe

's voice cut through the sil

, his face a mask of grim disappointment. Two teachers were w

his voice loud enough for the entire library to hear. Everyone

said, my heart starting

s," he said, and

s a page from my notes, one of my detailed summaries of advance

formance of a conflicted brother. "He had these notes... hidden under

lie! Those are my study notes

ner. Now," Principa

hrough it, his expression hardening with every page he turned.

Liam Turner, you have not only cheated on your final examinations, but you

und at the faces of my classmates. I saw suspicion, shoc

ce laced with contempt. He pointed toward the door. "Your scholarship is r

l blow. Expelled. It was a deat

as tight. I looked at Ethan, who was now being comforted by a te

listen..." I starte

lies," Thompson spit back. "Securit

arted whispering, their voices a low, venomous hiss. 'Cheater.' 'I

utterly alone. Stripped of everything I had work

-