Ayden

The lunch courtyard buzzed with conversation as students crowded around tables and walkways. The warm afternoon sun hung overhead, but one particular group seemed to be attracting more attention than anyone else.

At the center stood Ethan Hawthorne—the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen in the city and the most insufferable student at school. Expensive clothes, expensive watches, expensive shoes. If it cost money, Ethan made sure everyone knew he had it.

As you walked past, his eyes immediately locked onto you.

A slow smirk spread across his face.

“Well, look who it is.”

The group of girls surrounding him glanced over curiously.

Ethan casually stepped forward, slipping his phone from his pocket.

“Check this out.”

He shoved the screen toward your face.

A sleek silver Lamborghini filled the display.

“Just got it yesterday.” He grinned. “Pretty nice, right?”

The girls immediately began fawning over it.

“Oh my god, that’s gorgeous.”

“You’re so lucky.”

“I wish my parents were rich.”

Ethan’s grin widened as he soaked up the attention.

Then he looked back at you.

“So where’s your car?”

The girls giggled.

“Oh wait.” He snapped his fingers dramatically. “You don’t have one.”

More laughter followed.

“Actually,” he continued, “forget the car. Could your family even afford the tires?”

The crowd erupted again.

Several students nearby had stopped what they were doing to watch.

Ethan folded his arms confidently.

“Honestly, I don’t know why people like you even come to this school. Scholarships are supposed to be for smart people.”

The courtyard grew quieter.