No classes in the afternoon. I lay on my dorm bed, watching the club group chat messages flood in.
Kyle was stirring up trouble left and right.
Kyle: Some people pretend to love charity, but behind closed doors, they're squeezing poor students for $1,300.
Kyle: She even skimps on cat food money. Does someone like that deserve to be club president?"
Tanya replied instantly.
Tanya: Please don't say that, Kyle. It's all my fault.
Tanya: I'm just too poor to belong in the Stray Cat Rescue Club.
Tanya: I just feel bad for the cats in the woods. They might go hungry tonight."
The chat exploded. A few male members who always hovered around Tanya jumped in.
A: Zara has gone way too far!
B: She's treating club funds like her personal money. We need an audit!
C: Zara, you owe Tanya an apology. Either that, or hand over the club leadership!
I stared at the accusations flooding my screen and curled my lips into a sarcastic smile. In my past life, I'd frantically defended myself in the group chat to protect the club's reputation. I even posted screenshots of my part-time income to prove I hadn't stolen anything. All I got in return was even more mockery and abuse. This time, I didn't bother typing a single word.
I just posted a group-wide message.
Zara: Club meeting at 8 p.m. in the office. All members must attend.
At 8 p.m., I pushed open the door to the club office. The room was packed. The atmosphere was tense. Tanya sat in the center chair, her eyes red and swollen, clearly she'd been crying.
Kyle stood behind her like a guard dog. The moment he saw me, he attacked. "Zara, you have the nerve to show up? You humiliated Tanya today. You owe her a public apology. Right here, in front of everyone!"
I walked to the desk, ignoring his outburst. I pulled a printed document and a bank card from my bag.
"Since everyone is so unhappy with my leadership," I said, scanning the room, "I'm officially resigning as president of the Stray Cat Rescue Club."
The room went dead silent. Everyone stared, clearly not expecting me to give up power so easily. Tanya's eyes flickered with barely concealed glee, quickly masked. She stood up, putting on a timid act.
"Zara, don't be impulsive... Everyone just wants what's best for the cats. No one's trying to force you out."
I cut through her performance. "Don't bother. My decision is final."
I slid the documents toward Tanya. "These are the club's detailed financial records. And this is the club's bank card."
Kyle lunged forward and snatched the card. "Good riddance! Tanya is way more qualified than you. She actually has a heart."
He turned to Tanya, beaming like he'd just handed her a trophy. "Tanya, from now on, you'll handle all the donation revenue and sponsorships."
Tanya barely suppressed her smile as she picked up the financial records.
"Don't worry, Zara. I'll make sure every cent goes to the cats. Unlike some people, I won't line my own pockets."
I saw her smug expression and smiled calmly. "You might want to check the balance first."
Tanya blinked, confused. She flipped to the last page of the records. The next second, her face went pale. "Th-this can't be right?"
Her voice cracked. "Why is there only $150 in the club account?"