The Duck That Bit Back

I was the broke scholarship kid, stuck sharing a room with Sherry, the spoiled heiress. From day one, she was all fake smiles and "let's be besties."

She'd take me out for fancy meals. She even introduced me to Kenneth—her rich childhood buddy.

It was fine—until Kenneth and I started dating. That's when the claws came out.

One day, she "accidentally" dumped hot soup all over herself and claimed I'd done it on purpose. Then she demanded I pay her back. I gave her every cent I had, but it wasn't enough. Next, she accused me of stealing her wallet.

The school bought it. I got written up, everyone turned on me, and Kenneth? He dumped me with, "You're just an ugly duckling trying to be a swan."

I couldn't fight back. Humiliated, alone, and dragged through online hate, I dropped out. Then I let the river take me.

And then—I woke up. Back to the moment Sherry introduced me to Kenneth.

"Kenneth, this is my best friend from school, Alyssa Arden. What do you think? Pretty, right?"

Sherry Campbell's voice cut through the pounding music, dragging me straight back to the night I first met Kenneth Wadzinski.

He didn't care about me then—same as now. Barely looked my way, too busy nursing his drink.

Sherry draped a hand on my shoulder, flashing that fake smile. "Alyssa, what do you think of Kenneth? His family's in real estate. They're the richest in the city."

I ducked my head, plastering on a shy smile. "He's great. Be right back—I need to hit the restroom."

Classic Sherry. Crushing on Kenneth but shoving him at me anyway. And Kenneth? Total jerk. He didn't even like me—just kept me around to feed his ego. Their whole game was rigged, and I was the easy pawn.

In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, then slid off my thick black-framed glasses.

Not this time. They weren't going to play me anymore. Who says the ugly duckling has to stay ugly?

Grabbing my bag, I headed out without a word. Right on cue, Kenneth was by the door, sitting alone on a bench tucked out of sight.

His head was down like he was studying something.

In my last life, I'd learned a lot about him—mostly thanks to Sherry.

Today was his birthday. Also the anniversary of his mom's death.

Back then, they'd all pushed me to toast him. I caved, and he humiliated me in front of everyone, mocking me about how I couldn't tell brandy from whiskey. Then he walked off, leaving me there, humiliated and empty-handed.

This time? Not happening.

I dug a carton of strawberry milk out of my bag. It was supposed to be my breakfast, but it felt way more useful as a prop.

"Here," I said, holding it out. "Drinking too much isn't great for your stomach."

Kenneth glanced up, icy as ever. "I don't need your pity."

"Cool," I said, unfazed. I set the milk next