Chapter 2

Rose Ashcroft “What did you say?” Rice clung to his face. Sauce dripped down the front of his uniform. Leonard backed me against the wall, his eyes blazing with rage. “I said—” He leaned closer. “What the f**k did you just say?” “Leon!” Nathaniel grabbed my wrist and immediately pulled me behind him. For a moment, I thought Leonard might actually hit his brother. Instead—he laughed. His voice echoed across the library. Leonard pushed his wet hair back. “So, this is what we're doing now? Seriously, Nate?” His eyes shifted toward me. “We're really playing this game now?” Despite his brother’s rampage, Nathaniel kept me behind him. One arm remained firmly in front of me. Protecting me. “I assume you remember.” Nathaniel's voice was cold. “Of f*****g course, I remember, Nate” Leonard smirked, wiped the rice from his cheek. “How could I forget?” “Then why are you still doing this to her?” Nathaniel took a step forward. I froze. It was the first time I'd ever seen him this angry. “You remember, yet still doing this crap?” Leonard closed the distance between them. He grabbed Nathaniel by the collar. For a terrifying second, I thought he was going to punch him. “Then what?” Leonard sneered. “What exactly are you going to do about it?” “Students!” Crap. Mr. Godfrey. The commotion had apparently reached the faculty offices. As Mr. Godfrey entered the library, both Nathaniel and Leonard immediately stepped apart. Leonard picked up his belongings. Before leaving, he stopped beside me. His fingers dug into my shoulder. His glare full of anger. “See you in class, Rose.” His voice drops. It was the first time he had said my name, after years of bullying me. I almost lost my breath. Then he walked away. “Leon! We need to talk!” Nathaniel growled. Watching Leonard threaten me right in front of him, seemed to destroy whatever patience he had left. “Sorry, Rose. I’ll talk to him. I’ll be back, hm?” After patting my head, Nathaniel hurried after Leonard. The moment both brothers disappeared, whispers erupted throughout the library. I could feel dozens of eyes staring at me. Then Professor Godfrey approached. My body shrank. In the years I'd worked in this library, never once had I seen Professor Godfrey this angry. “Are you close to Leonard Gavinsky?” He removed his glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose. “N-no, Sir,” I said, unable to look toward him. “Then why are you picking a trouble?” He snapped, looked disappointed. “Do you even think about my library, my reputation? Do you even understand that what you did today would make me lost my position? For God’s sake, Ashcroft.” “Leonard Gavinsky, Ashcroft,” he repeated, rubbing his face. “That Gavinsky. Out of everyone, and you choose to pick a fight with him?” He keeps scolding me and ignore the fact that Leonard bullied me first. I was still drenched with milk, and he didn’t even bat an eye. “I think it's best if you don't come back here anymore.” “W-What?” My heart dropped. “S-Sir, please—” Professor Godfrey pointed toward the exit, “Leave. Before more students start talking. You're fired. Just pray Leonard doesn't mention this to his father.” “He won’t,” I said. Confident. If anyone should be reporting someone, it was me. One word about Leonard’s bullying going public, would tear apart his whole reputation. “You are humiliated him, Ashcroft,” Prof. Godfrey glared. “You threw a f*****g meal at him. If a student from the News Association writes an article about him, we’re done.” “That won't happen.” I shook my head. “I'm the one responsible for Leonard's articles, so—” “And how the f**k are you so sure about?” He snapped, tapped my shoulder with his glasses. “I’m done with you. Now, get out. I don't want my students seeing you here.” “Professor!” “You heard me, Ashcroft. Don't even show your face here again.” I picked up my bag and walked out of the library. By the time I reached the hallway, tears were already streaming down my face. As I hurried down the corridor, I spotted Nathaniel stepping out of one of the classrooms. Our eyes met. Panic surged through me. Before he could call my name, I turned and ran. I couldn't let him see me like this. That job was my last hope. As one of the few scholarship students on campus, I had no family paying my expenses. If I wanted to graduate on time, I had to support myself. My plan was perfect. Go to the college, graduated, get a proper job, save some money. And maybe one day... I could stand beside Nathaniel without feeling ashamed of myself. And now that plan was falling apart. Because of Leonard. I went to the open garden. I wanted to go to the cafeteria, but I don’t have money. My stomach hurts as I hadn't had a proper meal since yesterday. Nathaniel was good enough to brought me a meal, and Leonard just has to ruined everything. As I ran away, I froze by the sudden vibrate from my phone. It’ a call, from Prof. Godfrey. Did he finally change his mind? I think he has somehow good side. To think of it, he forgot about my payment before fired me. Maybe I can ask him about it. My heart raced as I answered. “Hello, Sir?” “Where are you? Come to my office. President George Gavinsky wants to meet you. There’s something he wants to discuss.” “P-President George Gavinsky?” My entire body stiffened. It had been years since I'd last heard that name. “But, why? I'm not a student representative. I don't think I can help him with anything.” “Ashcroft.” Professor Godfrey cut me off. “You're no longer a student of this university. Your scholarship has been revoked. Get to my office. Now.” Beep. “W-What!? Sir!” The moment the call ended, another notification appeared on my phone. It was from the Scholarship Management System. [Dear Student Ashcroft, We regret to inform you that, your scholarship under the Gavinsky Affiliation Foundation has been terminated. Your tuition status has been changed to Outstanding Balance. Please arrange payment before the end of the month to avoid academic restrictions.] No. No. Did they really revoke my scholarship... Because I threw a lunch tray at Leonard? No, no. that can’t be. I ran to the third floor as fast as I could. By the time I reached Professor Godfrey's office, my lungs were burning. The door was already open. Professor Godfrey stood beside a tall man dressed in an immaculate black suit. The moment I appeared; the man lifted his gaze toward me. “Ashcroft. Sit down,”