Chapter 1
When the scholarship kid ran for class president, my girl.
childhood friend rigged the vole for the Just to mess with the pretty poor
“Luna would make a great class president at least it’ll knock some people down a peg,” he said to the whole class.
But after I won, he got weird. Still played the protective friend, but would also beat kids bloody for messing with that same scholarship girl.]
One day, I overheard him talking with his buddies.
“Luna? She’s cheap as hell–fifty bucks for a quickie, five hundred if you want to take your time.“]
I stood frozen in the doorway for what felt like forever. And then switched classes the next day.]
Graduation day, the valedictorian found me.
“Would you come to UAL with me?” he asked.[]
I looked over at my childhood friend’s bloodshot eyes – there was a panic there I’d never seen before
Remembered how casually he’d called me cheap.
I nodded.
-0
First day of classes, Sophia stood on stage running for class president. The moment votes were announced, her flushed face went dead white.
Thirty students. I got twenty–nine votes.
Camden watched Sophia’s shock with obvious amusement, then started clapping. “Surprised, Luna?“||
Sophia looked sick. Tears pooled in her eyes as she shot me a look of pure jealousy.
I sighed quietly.]
The girl who won w
won was me—someone who hadn’t even signed up.
And the guy beside me? Technically my childhood friend.
More accurately, I was the help’s kid who used to crash at his place.
Until that summer after middle school graduation. Dad was driving pregnant Mrs. Foster and my mom when they crashed.
Only Mom survived–barely. Vegetative state.
The Fosters kicked me out that same day.
Everything changed between Camden and me
Brake failure, he said. Not Dad’s fault.
But he never spoke to me again.]
School rumors painted me as cursed–killed Camden’s mom and unborn brother.
Camden enjoyed watching me get torn apart.]
After graduation, we ended up at the same college, same class by some cosmic joke.]
He grabbed my bag, leaned close. “Been too long. Missed you.“]
During Introductions, he pointed at me. “Luna Voss.“[]
Everyone looked. Sunlight hit my face just right–looked like some romantic movie moment.]
Then he smiled.
“Her dad’s dead. Mom’s a vegetable.“]
Stunned silence.
They awkwardly averted their eyes.]
Professor told Camden to sit down seriously.
When my turn came, I kept it simple.]
Camden looked bored out of his mind.
Until scholarship student Sophia Walsh showed up.
All sharp edges and anti–capitalist rage, declaring how much she hated rich people.]
Staring straight at Camden while she said it.
Camden laughed, twirling my hair around his finger. “Stay away from the brain–damaged ones.“[]
I had a feeling he’d be the one getting close.
Fine by me.
