My Childhood Sweetheart Cheered as The Transfer Damsel Ruined My Future — Idiot, She Ruined YOURS! Chapter 02

My Childhood Sweetheart Cheered as The Transfer Damsel Ruined My Future — Idiot, She Ruined YOURS! Chapter 02

He didn’t reply for like ten seconds.

Then Austin sent a voice message straight to the group chat.

His voice was pure contempt.

“I’m putting this out there RIGHT NOW!”

“If MY application had been changed today, I wouldn’t say ONE harsh word to Katie!”

“She has it so hard. I’m not like you-thinking only about yourself!”

“Hailey, you need to learn how to be HUMAN!”

The group EXPLODED.

“Austin’s mindset is on another LEVEL!”

“That’s what real character looks like!”

I scoffed and left the group without another word.

Next day.

I came downstairs to find Austin and his mom sitting on our living room couch.

My mom sat across from them, face like thunder. Several blurry photos spread across the coffee table.

Austin’s mom saw me and immediately put on this pained expression.

“Hailey, honey, what were you THINKING?”

“I know you’ve been spoiled your whole life, but you can’t just throw away your future like this!”

I walked over and gave Austin a cold look.

“Mrs. Hayes. What brings you here?”

My mom SLAMMED her hand on the table and jabbed her finger at the photos.

“You have the NERVE to ask? Look at this MESS!”

“Austin told me EVERYTHING. You changed your own application for some DELINQUENT!”

“And now you’re trying to frame that poor scholarship student. Do you have NO shame?”

I froze for a second, then looked at the photos.

They showed a guy with bleached hair, back to the camera, standing next to a girl whose build sort of resembled mine.

They looked close. Maybe holding hands.

But this wasn’t me. AT ALL.

I turned to Austin. He sat there with his coffee, putting on this whole disappointed act.

“Mrs. Morgan, don’t blame Hailey.”

“That guy tricked her. She changed her application on impulse.”

“To cover it up, Hailey’s been threatening Katie-trying to make her confess to stealing the account.”

“Katie’s terrified. She got so scared she admitted to something she didn’t do. I couldn’t just stand by and watch anymore. That’s why I told you.”

Austin’s mom nodded along beside him, sighing.

“Exactly, Claire. Austin doesn’t lie. You know that.”

“I’ve seen that Katie girl-sweet as can be. Why would she steal from Hailey?”

“Hailey’s been so spoiled she’s learned to lie and dodge responsibility.”

Watching this mother son performance made my stomach turn.

For Katie’s sake, Austin could fabricate such disgusting lies.

I picked up the photos and laughed bitterly.

“Austin, you dug up these TRASH photos and dare come to my house spreading lies?”

“These don’t even show a FACE. What makes you think it’s me?”

Austin set down his cup, meeting my eyes with total confidence.

“Hailey, still trying to deny it?”

“My friend took these with his own eyes. That girl’s wearing clothes IDENTICAL to ones in your closet!”

“You gonna tell me you haven’t been running to that side of town constantly?”

I laughed.

“I go there because I volunteer at the STRAY DOG SHELTER!”

“You’re not just accusing me of hooking up with some guy-you’re saying I sabotaged MYSELF to frame Katie.”

“Austin, did a dog eat your BRAIN?”

Mrs. Hayes jumped up and pointed right at my face.

“How DARE you!”

“Austin came here out of KINDNESS to warn your parents, and you twist it around!”

“YOU’RE the one sneaking around with sketchy people. Can’t even get into college now. And you have the NERVE?”

My mom was completely brainwashed, shaking with rage.

“Hailey! Apologize to Austin and Mrs. Hayes RIGHT NOW!”

“How did I raise such a shameless daughter!”

“Starting today, all your cards are FROZEN. You’re staying home to think about what you’ve done and prepare to repeat senior year!”

I looked at my mom’s furious face, feeling this wave of emptiness wash over me.

This was my own mother. Willing to believe an outsider’s pack of lies over one word from me.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.

“Mom, I’m not lying. I haven’t been with any guy.”

“Katie changed the application.”

“If you don’t believe me, I can call the police RIGHT NOW and have them trace the system login.”

Hearing “police,” Austin’s eyes flickered with panic for a split second before he forced himself to look calm.

“Go AHEAD! CALL them!”

“Go check the IP and see what they find!”

“You didn’t even come to the graduation party yesterday. You were probably home secretly changing your application!”

“Don’t think calling the cops will scare me. When they show up, they’ll just arrest YOU for filing a false report!”

Mrs. Hayes grabbed my mom’s hand with full concern.

“Claire, absolutely DON’T call the police.”

“If this gets out, Hailey’s reputation will be destroyed.”

“Who would want a girl who runs around with delinquents AND files false police reports?”

My mom was thoroughly scared and immediately dropped the idea of calling the police.

She turned and glared at me, delivering her final word.

“This ends RIGHT NOW!”

“If you’re not embarrassed, I AM!”‘

“Get to your room. You’re not stepping foot outside without my permission!” /

I threw the photos back on the coffee table, walked straight to my room, and slammed the door.