ed in my head. He had calle

principled son of the struggling Hayes family. I saw him on campus one day, standing up to a group of rich bullies who were

sual uniform of faded jeans and a plain t-shirt, looking like any other struggling studen

ime job. He was drawn to my mind, he said. He loved our conversati

pang of guilt every time he scraped together enough money to take me to a movie. I let

n of a formerly prominent family, with me, the quiet, unassuming girl. The

ak his family's business got, every "anonymous" investment that k

ported each other's dreams. I thought we had a love that was pure, untouched

now,

sed to believe that the man I l

but firm. "I' m not leaving unti

e, my steps determined. The crowd

long, gaudy nails aimed for my face.

stumbled, catching herself on the edge of th

Ethan. "Why, Ethan? Why her?" I asked, my voic

f conflicting emotions

raised

ovement, the intention in his eyes. I c

. I stood pe

nnected with my cheek, I saw the tears welling

d through the

ide, a sharp, stinging p

ional pain was a thousand times wors

I was wrong. Maybe this was real. Maybe the four y

d normal life, the love I thought was real-was

kle. "Did you see that? He can'

rittany Vance. My family practically owns th

cheek throbbing. The crowd was whispering, th

all. I only h

I whispered, the question h

lips. I needed to hear the fi

ion hardening into something unre

ridiculous. You were just a game. A distraction. Someone to pa

otesque parody of affection on his