My Childhood Sweetheart Cheered as The Transfer Damsel Ruined My Future — Idiot, She Ruined YOURS! Chapter 04

My Childhood Sweetheart Cheered as The Transfer Damsel Ruined My Future — Idiot, She Ruined YOURS! Chapter 04

A few days later, Austin got invited to speak at the senior assembly.

Outstanding graduate representative.

“Look, I’m gonna be real with you guys,” Austin stood on stage, voice carrying through the auditorium. “The most important thing in life? Stay FOCUSED.”

“Don’t let cheap thrills distract you. Don’t throw away your future for people who aren’t worth it. And don’t be like some people who screwed themselves over on impulse and ended up at community college.”

People in the audience turned to look at me.

Megan Clarke made sure her voice carried. “Gee, wonder who he’s talking about.”

Austin kept going. “Hailey and I were both MIT material in our teachers’ eyes. But the difference between people

isn’t test scores-it’s CHOICES.”

A parent in the front row whispered, “Who’s Hailey?”

Someone answered, “That girl who tanked her application for some dropout.”

Katie sat in the first row and turned to look at me. Eyes red but she couldn’t hide the smile.

Austin gestured halfway through his speech.

“Actually, I want to thank someone today. Katie Morgan.”

Katie stood up, looking shocked.

“She comes from nothing but works harder than anyone. Compared to people who use Daddy’s money to dodge consequences, SHE deserves respect.”

Applause erupted.

Katie covered her mouth, tears streaming down fast. “Austin, I’m not that great.”

“You are.”

The girl next to me whispered, “They’re cute together.”

Another one added, “Hailey’s completely done.”

The school officials on stage nodded, clearly pleased.

Austin got more confident, basically targeting me directly now.

“People ask me all the time-what’s the secret to success? It’s simple. CUT OUT anyone who drags you down. If someone makes you lose focus, throws away their future for feelings-RUN.”

The speech finally hit the last part.

Austin grabbed the mic, putting on this mysterious act.

“So here’s the thing. My acceptance letter just got delivered today.”

“I had my mom bring it straight here. I didn’t even check my results online yet-wanted to open it WITH you guys, share this moment with the whole school.”

“I’m bringing my MIT letter to prove that hard work pays off. And I hope it inspires all of you.”

Katie jumped up immediately. “I’ll get it.”

The teacher handed her the express package.

Katie carried it up on stage. Austin took it and said into the mic, “Thanks, Katie.”

Some guy in the audience shouted, “Aww, girlfriend delivery service!”

Katie looked down, voice soft. “Stop it, you guys.”

Austin didn’t deny it.

He looked straight at me, eyes full of that vindictive gleam.

“Hold up. Before I open this, one last thing. You make your bed, you lie in it. Some people choose to throw their lives away-that’s on THEM.”

The school officials had the tech guy aim the camera at the package and throw it up on the big screen.

Austin slowly tore open the outer packaging. Dragging it out, milking every second.

Katie stood next to him, eyes bright.

Austin ripped halfway, then stopped and looked at me.

“Hailey, I’m giving you ONE LAST CHANCE. Apologize to Katie in front of everyone right now, and I won’t hold your lies against her anymore.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then remember today. Remember watching me walk into MIT while you rot at community college.”

I said nothing.

Austin reached into the package, grabbed the paper inside, and held it up high.

“Everyone, THIS is what making the right choices looks like!”

He tilted his head back, proud as hell,

completely oblivious to the confused looks spreading through the audience as people saw what he was actually

holding.