Ch. I received a video 11 I received a video 11

Chapter 11 A New Beginning 

“You’re going to the Defense Technology Institute! You’ve already got everything you ever wanted! Why do you have to ruin our lives too?” 

I yanked my arm free from her grip and took a step back, letting the doorframe stand firmly between us. 

“Rachel, you changed my college application behind my back, humiliated me in front of everyone at the graduation dinner, posted those videos to turn the public against me, and now you’ve come here asking me to lie for you. 

“You walked down the steps to hell without my help. Now, lie in the bed of roses you made.” 

The look in her eyes grew even more unhinged. She pointed at me, her voice rising to a shriek. “This is all your fault! Why were you always the top student? Why did my parents always compare me to you? 

“Why did someone as outstanding as Silas have to stay stuck in second place because of you? Why?” 

I looked at her. “That’s simple enough. It’s because I worked harder than you. That’s all.” 

Then, I looked at Silas. “As for our 18 years of friendship, Silas? You’re the one who destroyed it, not me.” 

I took another step back and slammed the door shut in their faces. 

Rachel’s sobbing was growing louder by the second even after the door was closed before her, but Silas never said another word. 

I gave them one last look through the peephole before the lock clicked shut. 

I went back to my room, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out the photograph. It was a picture of us at six years old. We were grinning like two little idiots. 

I stared at it for a long time before turning it over. There was a line of writing on the back. 

I’d written it myself in pencil when I was six. The letters were crooked, and I’d even written a few of them backward. “Silas and Sonia will be best friends forever.” 

I stared at the words. 

The pencil marks had faded over the years, and some of the strokes had been smudged. However, I could still read every letter. 

Eventually, I laid the photo flat and put it back in the drawer. 

My phone lit up. There was a new message in our private group chat 

Someone had shared a screenshot 

It was an official announcement from Bradford University’s admissions office, printed in black text on a white background with the university seal stamped in the lower right corner. 

“Following an investigation, the university has determined that Silas Lond and Rachel Morgan have engaged in serious misconduct. Therefore, their admission offers are hereby revoked.” 

1/2 

I glanced at it before locking my phone. 

+15 Bonus 

I arrived at Defense Technology Institute to check in a month later. 

A huge inflatable arch stood at the front gate, welcoming the new students. The inflatable letters swayed gently 

in the breeze. 

I stood beneath the arch for a moment, looking up at the words before the flow of students carried me forward. 

A long row of check-in tables lined the entrance, and upperclassmen in training uniforms sat behind each one. 

I handed over my admission letter. 

The student glanced at my admission letter, looked up at me, and smiled. “Sonia Knight? The top-ranked student in the program?” 

“That’s me.” 

He let out a low, impressed whistle, handed me a checklist, and pointed to the left. 

I picked up my issued supplies: sheets, bedding, a washbasin, training uniforms, and a canteen. 

As I carried an armful of gear, I felt and looked like a walking supply rack as I carefully made my way across 

campus. 

My dorm room was the one at the very end of the fourth floor. 

When I pushed the door open, all four beds were empty. It seemed that I was the first one there. 

My phone rang while I was making my bed. It was my mother. 

I put her on speaker and set my phone on the pillow while I wrestled the comforter into its cover. She asked if I’d arrived safely, whether I’d eaten yet, and if it was too hot. 

I told her everything was fine. 

“Good, good. All right, then. I’ll let you get back to it.” She hung up. 

It was already nightfall by the time I’d finished the whole check-in process. The four-person dorm room was still empty except for me. 

I opened my suitcase and started taking things out one by one. Then, I pulled out an old military uniform at the very bottom of the suitcase. 

” 

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hapter 12 Cooking Up