The Total Cracsh
Vionna’s POV
The heavy oak door of the Dean’s office clicked shut behind me and I felt like the floor was tilting under my feet because everything I had worked for was suddenly gone. I stood in the quiet hallway clutching the termination letter in my shaking hands, and the words regarding my revoked scholarship were blurred by the tears I was trying so hard to hold back.
"Vionna, hey, talk to me," Julian said as he rushed toward me from the waiting area, his face filled with so much concern that I almost collapsed into his arms right there.
"They took it, Julian, they said the photos were enough proof of a character violation and they already gave my spot to Rhea," I sobbed, buried my face in his chest while he wrapped his arms around me and whispered that it was going to be okay.
"I can't believe this is happening to you, but I promise you right now that I am going to get to the bottom of this because someone clearly set you up," he said, pulling back to look me in the eyes with a gaze so sincere that I felt a tiny spark of hope return to my chest.
Before I could even thank him, his phone started buzzing incessantly in his pocket and he glanced at the screen with a frustrated sigh before looking back at me.
"It's my friends from the football team and they've been planning this birthday dinner for weeks, so I really have to go or they'll never let me hear the end of it," he explained, rubbing the back of his neck like he felt guilty for leaving me in such a state.
"It's fine, Julian, it’s your birthday and you shouldn't have to deal with my mess today," I replied, forcing a small smile even though I felt like I was dying inside.
"I'll drop you off at your dorm so you can get some rest, and then first thing tomorrow morning I’m going to talk to my father about hiring a private investigator to find out who hacked your cloud storage," he promised, lead me toward his car while he held my hand tightly.
The drive was short and quiet, and when we pulled up to the curb, he leaned over to give me a soft kiss on the forehead that made me feel like I wasn't entirely alone in this nightmare.
"Go inside and take a bath, and I'll call you the second I’m done with the guys," he said, waiting until I walked through the main entrance before he pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the traffic.
I stood in the lobby for a moment, and then I realized that I couldn't just sit in my room and cry while he was out trying to have a good time despite worrying about me. I wanted to show him how much I appreciated him being my only supporter, so I decided to ignore my empty bank account for a moment and walk to that expensive bakery three blocks away.
I pushed open the glass doors of the shop and the smell of sugar and vanilla hit me, but my heart stopped when I saw who was standing at the counter. Rhea was there with Julian’s sister, Marissa, and they were both dressed in designer silk dresses that cost more than my entire year’s tuition.
"Oh look, it's the fallen star herself, come to buy a sympathy cupcake since she’s officially a college dropout," Marissa sneered, turning around to face me with a look of pure disgust.
"Leave me alone, Marissa, I’m just here to buy a cake for Julian’s birthday," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I stepped toward the glass display case.
"A cake? That’s adorable, but I think Julian would prefer something that doesn't come with a side of public scandal," Rhea laughed, her eyes raking over my cheap sneakers and faded jeans.
"Why are you even here, Rhea? You already got what you wanted, so just take your scholarship and go," I snapped, but she just stepped closer until we were nearly chest to chest.
"I’m here because I’m celebrating, Vionna, because being at the top feels a lot better when you aren't there to annoy me with your 'hard work' and 'humble beginnings'," she whispered, her voice dripping with venom.
"You're a parasite, Vionna, and everyone knows that scholarship was wasted on someone like you," Marissa added, and I felt a surge of anger that almost made me forget my sadness.
"I am leaving, and I don't care what either of you think because I have someone who actually loves me," I told them, turning my back on them to pay for the small, elegant chocolate cake I had selected.
I clutched the box to my chest like a shield and walked out of the store, but as I turned the corner toward Julian’s apartment, I saw his car parked out front instead of at the restaurant where he said he’d be. I frowned, wondering if the dinner had been canceled, and I hurried toward his door because I wanted to surprise him with the cake and tell him that we would get through this together.
I reached for the doorknob, but then I heard a burst of laughter from inside that made me freeze because it wasn't just Julian’s voice, it was the sound of a party already in full swing.
"To the new scholarship winner and the woman who finally took out the trash," a male voice shouted, followed by the unmistakable sound of Julian’s laughter echoing through the thin wood of the door.
