Vivian Sterling didn't like me, her fiancé from out of town. To make me call off the engagement, she found a scholarship student at our school to impersonate her. “One’s new money, the other’s too poor to eat. A perfect match.” “I bet the new-money kid won’t last three days. He’ll definitely cancel the engagement.” The scholarship student was beautiful in a cold, fragile way, quiet and reserved. I fell for it completely. I thought the Sterling family had really gone bankrupt, that she couldn't even afford a proper meal. My dad’s words echoed in my ears: “Son, bankrupt is bankrupt. We don’t look down on people for being poor. We’ve got the money to support her.” So, when she was hungry, I gave her food. When she worked part-time, I acted as her bodyguard. When her mom was hospitalized, I paid the bills… I took good care of my destitute fiancée. Until the day a beautiful girl snatched the breakfast I had carefully prepared. I was about to lose my temper when she looked at me, a defiant glint in her eyes. “Leo Nash, look closely. I’m your fiancée—” 1 My dad told me I had a fiancée in the city. To let me decide whether I wanted to go through with it, and to make sure I got into a good college, he transferred me in my junior year—right into Vivian Sterling’s class. I heard the Sterling family was the wealthiest in Crestwood, with deep roots. My dad even had me bring a bunch of expensive gifts. But when I got off the train, no one from the Sterling family was there to meet me. I was a little annoyed at first, but when I got to school and saw a thin girl in a faded t-shirt who I thought was Vivian, my anger vanished. A classmate I met on the way had kindly shown me the way after looking at the photo I was holding. “Junior class, room 3? You’re looking for Vivian Sterling? Oh, I know her. I’ll take you.” She was the one who pointed her out to me. I followed her finger and saw a girl sitting by the window, her back straight, looking delicate and clean. The afternoon sun, filtered through the leaves outside, cast a gentle light on her profile. A breeze rustled a few strands of her hair, revealing a smooth forehead and a strong browline. I looked down at the photo, then back at her. The classmate’s sympathetic voice rang in my ears. “You didn’t know? The Sterling family went bankrupt two years ago. Now Vivian has to rely on school aid and work part-time after school. Sometimes she’s so broke she can’t even afford to eat.” Our families hadn't been in close contact, and it wasn't like the Sterlings would broadcast their bankruptcy to my small town. I let out a small gasp and nodded, promising her I wouldn't spread it around. “This is our new transfer student, Leo Nash. Everyone, please welcome him,” the teacher announced, pointing to an empty seat in the back. “You can sit there for now.” I looked up. It was right next to “Vivian.” From the moment I entered the classroom to when the teacher assigned my seat, she never looked up. She was completely focused on what she was writing. I had to walk behind her to get to my seat. As I passed, my backpack snagged on something. I gave a slight tug, and an old enamel mug fell out of her desk. It clattered on the floor, and the half-eaten piece of a hard, dry bun inside tumbled out, collecting a layer of dust. I saw her shoulders flinch almost imperceptibly. Her grip on her pen tightened, but she didn’t turn around. I heard a few muffled snickers from nearby and saw a couple of girls whispering behind her back, their eyes full of disdain. So, things were really this bad for her. The vibrant, high-spirited girl in the old photos was now so poor she couldn't afford a real meal. I bit my lip, sat down, and apologized in a low voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” She still didn’t look at me, just silently took the mug I’d picked up and put it back in her desk. “I’m Leo Nash. Do you remember me?” I tilted my head, leaning closer to get a better look at her. We had met once, when she was six. I’ve always had a thing for pretty faces, just like my mom, and little Vivian had been exquisite. I hadn’t wanted to let her go. Of course, that was before I introduced her to the chickens and one of them pecked her on the butt. She hadn’t spoken to me since. Thankfully, she’d grown up just as beautiful. My sudden movement startled her. She leaned back slightly, her eyes cast down as she looked at me. Her eyes were stunning, like gleaming black gems. Her long, dark lashes curtained her cool gaze, making her seem a little less distant. But after the initial surprise, she still didn't speak. I scratched my head. “I’m your fiancé, remember?” She was taking a sip of water and choked, coughing quietly. I quickly patted her back. When she recovered, she looked at me with a strange expression, a faint blush on her pale cheeks. Maybe she didn't remember. Or maybe bankruptcy had changed her. Either way, I got the message. We could just start over as friends. I smiled and held out my hand. “Well, we’re desk-mates now. I’m Leo Nash. It’s nice to meet you. By the way, can I ask you for a favor?” I expected her to ignore me again, but this time she spoke, her voice still icy. “I don’t have time.” 2 Meanwhile, the classmate who had so kindly guided me had ducked into a stairwell, where a group of similarly well-dressed teens were waiting. Becca bounced on her heels, addressing the beautiful girl at the center of the group. “Vivian, it’s done! That new kid is totally clueless.” “He believed every word I said. I pointed out Iris Thorne and told him the Sterlings went bankrupt and you couldn't even afford to eat. His jaw practically hit the floor.” “He even saw Iris’s pathetic little bun. I mean, who would want to marry into that kind of charity case?” “I give him three days, tops. He’ll be begging his dad to call off the engagement.” Vivian Sterling looked impatient, but she still confirmed, “Are you sure it’ll only take three days? He really bought it?” “I saw the photo he has. It’s just a side profile of you. It looks close enough to Iris. No one would question it.” “I also told him that after the bankruptcy, you changed your name to avoid debt collectors. He definitely believes it. If he ever runs into you, just say you have the same name. That way he can’t latch onto you.” Vivian stuck her hands in her pockets, her beautiful features relaxing slightly. “Some new-money hick from the sticks. Who even does arranged marriages anymore?” “Exactly! The Sterlings are an established family. If there’s an engagement, it should be with someone from an equally prominent family, like your sister and the heir to the Jenson Corporation. Why are you stuck with some country bumpkin?” “I know, right? My mom has been throwing a fit about this for days, even went on a hunger strike to try and get my dad to cancel it.” “But my dad listens to whatever my grandfather says, and the old man is all about honor and loyalty. He’s determined to fulfill some promise he made to an old war buddy.” “By the way, I think your fiancé is actually…” Vivian shot her a cold look, and Becca quickly corrected herself. “That country kid is pretty hot. I snapped a picture. Wanna see? Maybe he’s your type after all.” Vivian scoffed. “Are you kidding me? You know my standards. You really think I’d be interested in someone from the middle of nowhere?” Becca scratched her head, muttering, “He’s really cute, though. Way better looking than that pretty-boy captain of the football team you used to date.” 3 I knew nothing about any of this. At that moment, my world revolved around Iris. Yes, she had told me her name was Iris Thorne. The other students called her that, too. The Sterling family must have changed her name to hide from their debts. I spent the whole day trying to talk to her. She barely responded, sometimes pretending she hadn't heard me at all. But I’m a chatterbox, a trait I inherited from my dad, who can talk to a cow for an entire day. Plus, I’m naturally outgoing, so I can carry a one-sided conversation with ease. “Hey, do you know any good places to eat in Crestwood? It’s my first day, I don’t know anything.” “Do you live on campus or commute?” “Huh, this is different from what I learned back in my old school.” “Where’s the water fountain? I’m so thirsty.” Finally, unable to take it anymore, she whispered, “Pay attention in class.” After a pause, she added, “The water fountain is outside room 4. You can go after class.” When the bell rang, I’d already forgotten about the water. I rushed to call my dad and told him about the Sterling family’s bankruptcy. He was shocked. “What? How did that happen? Well, son, it is what it is. We can’t judge people for being poor. These are the times that show a person’s true character. If you really like the girl, we’ll just support her.” I nodded. It wasn’t exactly that I liked her. It was just that Iris was in such a pitiful situation. I didn’t have much of anything, except money. And money was what she needed most right now. Our family’s wealth was new. My dad got rich the year I was born, starting in real estate and then getting into tech. We were definitely what people online called “new money,” especially compared to a multi-generational family like the Sterlings. But being new money had its perks. My dad handed me credit cards without blinking. I could have bought the entire lounge where Iris worked part-time, but I didn’t. It took me a few days of pestering her to find out where she worked. At night, Iris was different. She was dressed more casually, her hair slightly tousled. I had followed her secretly, so when she saw me, her brow furrowed deeply. “Who let you come to a place like this?” She pulled me into the stairwell. “Why are you here?” She was much more talkative now. I pulled a sandwich out of my backpack and stuffed it into her hand. Iris froze, her hand hovering in mid-air. “Eat it,” I urged. “I just bought too many, and the owner said they’d expire by tomorrow. I can’t finish them all, and it’s a waste of food. You’d be doing me a favor.” I had done my research. Iris worked at least three jobs every day after school. First, handing out flyers, then running a food cart, and finally, working at this lounge. She never ate the food from her own cart, even though a single serving was only a few dollars. She’d either eat the bun she brought from home or wait for leftover snacks from the lounge customers. Over the past few days, I had gotten to know my classmates. Many of them warned me to stay away from Iris. They said she was weird, always gloomy, never talking to anyone. They told me she had a mother with kidney failure and a disabled younger sister. Strange. Was Vivian Sterling's mother that sick? I didn't dare ask Iris, afraid of hurting her feelings. “Why?” Iris clutched the sandwich, her eyes cast down. I waved my hand dismissively, my eyes wide. “Why not? You’re my desk-mate. And you helped me with that math problem today.” I nodded firmly. “That’s right! My dad said he’d break my legs if I don’t get into a good college. Iris, this is a bribe. This sandwich isn’t free. You have to help me with my homework again tomorrow.” I had caught a glimpse of her test scores earlier. The girl got a near-perfect score in advanced calculus. She bit her lip. “Aren’t you… disgusted by me?” My eyes widened. “Why would I be?” I leaned in and sniffed around her dramatically. “Don’t you know how clean your mom washes your clothes? I sit next to you all day, and the wind always brings this nice, clean soap scent over to me. Look at my clothes…” I held up my own dirty sleeve. “I’m way dirtier than you. Are you disgusted by me?” In the dim light of the stairwell, Iris looked up at me. Her eyes were as bright as stars. She clutched the sandwich and shook her head. I lifted my chin proudly. “That’s more like it. I’m your fi—” I caught myself just in time. 4 Iris got off work ten minutes early to walk me home, stuffing a notebook full of her study notes into my backpack. My dad had bought me a house in the Clearwater Estates villa district before I even arrived. Since my mom passed away, he’s been overprotective. He had even planned to take a leave of absence from work to come with me, but I managed to talk him out of it. Instead, he hired a housekeeper to look after me. As we neared the entrance to the villas, I quickly changed direction, leading Iris down a different street with more modest houses. Her family had lost everything; seeing a neighborhood full of mansions would only make her feel worse. “This is my place!” I pointed randomly at a house. “You should get home, too.” Iris looked up at the house, then reached out and patted my shoulder. “See you tomorrow, desk-mate.” If any of our classmates had been there, they would have been shocked. The quiet, lifeless Iris suddenly seemed animated, as if a spark of hope had been lit within her for the tomorrows that were usually so bleak. After she left, I ran back to my actual house. I was sprinting around a corner when I almost collided with someone. Quick reflexes saved us; a hand shot out and steadied me. I looked up into a stunningly beautiful face. I frowned in confusion. She looked familiar… a lot like Iris. But why was she just staring at me? I waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey, I’m fine. You can let go now.” She blinked, then quickly dropped her hand. “Sorry.” I shrugged it off and started to walk away. “Are you also from Crestwood High…?” she called out from behind me. But at that exact moment, my puppy came bounding out to greet me. Forgetting everything else, I ran to him, scooping him up in my arms. Vivian Sterling stood frozen, watching the boy and his dog disappear around the corner. By the time she snapped out of it and tried to follow, they were long gone. She opened her group chat. “Does anyone at our school know a really tall, handsome guy with big, round eyes and a small mole on his nose?” Someone replied: “Ooh, where’d you meet a new hottie? Love at first sight?” “No way, Vivian’s standards are sky-high. She wouldn’t even look at the football captain. It can’t be love at first sight.” Vivian propped her legs up on the coffee table, staring at the words “love at first sight” for a long time. “Cut the crap. Have you seen him or not?” “Well, I’ve seen guys with moles, guys with big eyes, and tall guys. But that specific combination? Nope.” “Don’t worry, girl. I’ll be on patrol for you tomorrow. If he goes to Crestwood High, he can’t hide.” Vivian replied lazily, “Get it done, and there’s a big reward in it for you.” Vivian Sterling had it all: family money and stunning looks. She had a natural confidence that came with knowing she could have anyone she wanted. 5 After class the next day, Iris bent down and took the broom from my hand. “You can just sit.” The setting sun painted the classroom windows a warm honey color. Iris expertly swept the floor, her hands familiar with the worn wooden handle. “Do you do this often?” I asked, sitting on her desk and swinging my legs. She hummed in agreement. “People pay me to do their cleaning duty. Ten bucks a session.” She glanced at me nervously. “I didn’t mean—” I jumped off the desk, grabbed the mop, and said indignantly, “That’s a rip-off! Ten bucks to clean this huge classroom? They’re worse than my dad!” The cicadas outside suddenly seemed very loud. Iris looked down at the floor, and for the first time, the tedious chore didn’t seem so bad. When we were done, Iris prepared to head to her food cart. She turned to me. “I wrote down the solutions for today’s problems on the back of your notes. You can review them tonight. If you still don’t understand something, I’ll explain it to you tomorrow.” I wasn’t paying attention to that. “Can I come with you to your food cart?” Iris hesitated. “Most students use this time to study. It’s easy to fall behind otherwise.” In the end, she didn't agree. She seemed genuinely afraid my dad would break my legs. When I found her cart on my own, she was hunched over the grill, wearing an apron, stir-frying noodles for a customer. She saw me, and her spatula paused for a fraction of a second. “What are you doing here?” “A friend of yours?” a gentle voice asked from the side. “Are you Iris’s classmate?” I turned and saw her mother. She was thin, likely from her illness, but you could still see the beautiful bone structure of her face. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Iris’s desk-mate,” I said with a smile. She looked pleased, the pale strands of her hair glowing in the warm yellow light. “Young man, would you like some noodles? My Iris… she doesn’t usually have friends over. Let me make you some, on the house.” Iris gently pushed her back down and glanced at me. “You sit. I’ll do it.” I grinned at her, my eyes urging her on: Hurry up, I’m starving! Without a word, Iris turned and started pulling ingredients from a cooler. Two fresh eggs sizzled in the hot oil, followed by a generous scoop of shredded pork, sliced sausage, shrimp, and a secret meat sauce. The aroma was incredible. Finally, she tossed in fresh greens, bean sprouts, and a bundle of noodles, stir-frying everything over a high flame. She plated a heaping portion that looked as good as it smelled. I glanced at the menu and saw she’d made me the deluxe version, the most expensive item. She set the bowl in front of me and watched nervously as I picked up my chopsticks. “Try it.” I took a huge bite and immediately gave her a thumbs-up. Her cooking was amazing. A moment later, I was clutching the empty bowl, my eyes red. “Iris, why do your noodles taste like my mom’s cooking? I miss my mom…” Seeing my teary eyes, Iris panicked. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” I just stared at her. She was so sweet. How could anyone be so sweet? Her bangs fell softly over her beautiful eyes, and that brilliant mind, capable of solving the most complex equations, was now fumbling for words, only able to say “I’m sorry.” I remembered the Vivian from my childhood—a beautiful but proud little swan. These past few years must have been incredibly hard on her. I tilted my head. “You’re going to be successful.” “Huh?” she blinked. “What?” I didn’t say any more. I had never met anyone like Iris. She was standing in mud, but she remained pristine. She was brilliant, consistently ranking first in our grade despite having so little time to study. A temporary loss of shine meant nothing. I knew, with absolute certainty, that Iris Thorne would succeed at whatever she did. 6 I gave Iris her space over the weekend. My hands were itching for some action, so I found a local racing club. I hadn't been on a track since I arrived in Crestwood. But I was turned away at the door. “Sorry, kid. We’re closed for a private event today.” I pointed to the sign. “But your sign says you’re open.” “Ah, that’s a mistake on our part. Sorry.” I was dejected. It had been hard to find a club with a decent track. I’d loved riding since I was a kid, starting with cows and graduating to bikes. After I discovered racing, my dad sent me abroad to train for a few months. When I was fifteen, he’d sneakily handed me a folder. Inside was the deed to a large plot of hilly land just east of the city—the perfect terrain for the custom track I’d been dreaming of for months. Just as I was about to leave, a gust of wind blew past me. A familiar, beautiful face stopped in front of me. “It’s you!” she said, her voice full of pleasant surprise. It took me a moment to recognize her as the girl from the other night. “You race?” She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. I nodded confidently. “I do. Too bad I can’t get on the track today.” She gestured to the manager who had just been arguing with me, and he immediately backed away. She turned back to me. “How about a race? I’m a fan, too. Think of it as a friendly competition. After this, you can come to the club whenever you want.” I shrugged. I was never one to back down from a challenge. The moment the light turned green, both our cars shot off the line. I saw her car take the first turn with incredible precision, cutting tightly along the inside instead of the standard line. It was clear she’d had professional training. I smiled and wrenched my steering wheel. Too bad for her. She was still no match for me. When the checkered flag fell, her car was nowhere in sight. Back in the lounge, my phone rang. “Kid, it’s about that girl, Iris. Some guys just trashed her food cart. I’m watching now. Are you coming?” I couldn’t follow Iris 24/7, so I’d hired someone to keep an eye on things. I hung up, changed my clothes, and ran out without another word. When Vivian Sterling found the lounge, I was long gone. “Where is he?” she demanded of the manager. “He left. Said something came up. Didn’t even wait a second.” The manager tried to flatter her. “Miss Sterling, I’ve never seen you go so easy on someone. You’re really willing to humble yourself to chase a guy…” Vivian tossed her helmet aside, ignoring him. Go easy on him? Hell no. She had actually lost, to an amateur, even when she was going all out. But she wasn’t angry. A smile played on her lips. She was starting to really like this kid. She opened her group chat and dropped in a photo, her fingers flying across the screen. “See? This is fate. Ran into him again today.” “Hot, right? Even hotter when he’s racing. I’ll take you guys to see him sometime.” The chat exploded with replies, some complimenting the photo, others teasing Vivian for finally falling for someone. Only Becca was quiet. After a long pause, she sent a single picture. “Oh, crap, Vivian.” “You are seriously cursed. The guy you’re crushing on… isn’t that your fiancé from the sticks?” “That new-money kid. Look at our pictures. Aren’t they the same person?” “From what I hear, he really thinks Iris is you. He’s been treating her like a queen.” “This is a total disaster.” Vivian sat up straight. She opened Becca’s photo and stared at it, her heart sinking. After a long moment, she slowly typed back: “What did you just say?”
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