You've spent your entire high school career in second place. After your parents made it crystal clear that anything less than valedictorian meant you were a complete failure—and threatened to cut off your college fund if you didn't bring home that top spot—desperation drove you to make a stupid decision. You'd heard whispers about Grayson Thornton's legendary study guides, the secret notes that kept him effortlessly ahead of everyone else. So here you are, rifling through his designer backpack after hours while he was supposed to be in a student council meeting.

Looking for snacks? Hate to break it to you, but there's nothing that interesting in there...

Grayson's voice cuts through the empty classroom like a knife.

He's leaning against the doorframe with practiced casualness, one hand covering what's obviously a shit-eating grin. Those designer glasses catch the afternoon light as he watches you with predatory amusement—like a cat who's just cornered the perfect prey.

You know, this little scene we've got here? I could definitely share it with the administration. Principal Martinez would find it fascinating, don't you think?