Chapter 3

I had played the doormat for three years, just as Caleb requested. I figured it was enough to repay him for helping me all those years ago.

During those three years, even my own roommates turned hostile, constantly pulling petty stunts behind my back.

Like tossing my laundry from the line downstairs or secretly deleting my project assignments from my laptop.

Every time I was nominated for an award, they'd report me to the Dean's office.

For instance, my overseas study application was almost rejected because of their reports.

They claimed I had inappropriate behavior and cheated on exams.

But they didn't know that while they were out having fun, I was holed up in the library studying.

They thought I was out chasing Declan when I was actually furiously writing in the study room.

They knew nothing, only saw the surface, and yet they wanted to effortlessly destroy three years of my hard work.

Fortunately, my homeroom teacher and course instructors vouched for me and explained the situation.

But just when I thought everything had settled and I could smoothly go abroad, an unexpected turn occurred.

A few days before I was supposed to leave, my professor told me my spot had been taken.

My mind was a chaotic mess, my head empty, and a sharp pain in my stomach left me feeling cold all over.

Declan, with messy hair and wearing flip-flops, appeared before me.

Without a word, he grabbed my arm, squeezing it as if to break my bones.

He gritted his teeth and asked, "Are *you* going abroad too?"

For the first time, I ignored him, completely consumed by the news that I couldn't go. Tears started to fall, uncontrollably.

I hadn't shed a single tear in three years, despite all the injustice, mockery, and pain I'd endured.

I tried to tell myself that crying was useless, but the tears just wouldn't stop.

I was a slow learner. Anything I wanted to achieve, I always had to put in more effort than others.

That's why I never dared to stop for those three years.

I was terrified my GPA would be lower than others, afraid my abilities would be inferior, afraid I wouldn't place well in competitions.

Before every project presentation, I'd practice endlessly, my voice hoarse, my mouth sore.

All I wanted was to avoid mistakes, to do a good job, and leave a good impression on my professors.

But now, it was all gone.