He Fumbled a Lifetime

In a blink, it was the day the admission letters arrived.

Our class rep set up one last dinner before everyone left for college.

Philip walked in holding Winnie's hand. The room lit up with cheers.

"Nice! Got a girlfriend right after the SATs? So—you guys going to the same school?"

Winnie wasn't in our top class. Last time, she ended up at an average college in Greyford.

Philip ruffled her hair. "Winnie's grades aren't great, so I'm staying local for her."

Then he shot me a look.

The guys instantly got hyped.

"Damn, that's real love."

"Wasn't that elite school in Crestport your dream? You're really giving it up?"

"Yeah, nothing here even compares."

Winnie's eyes went red. "Philip, did I hold you back? Is this all because of me..."

Tears slid down her pale cheeks. Philip panicked.

"Hey, don't cry. You're what matters most. Being with you? That's more than I could ever ask for. I should be thanking Heaven. How could you hold me back?"

It sounded sincere. The whole room ate it up.

Winnie finally smiled through her tears.

Right then, Philip's friend Ronnie cut in. "Weren't you with Stella after the SATs? When did Winnie become your girlfriend?"

I was reaching for food when all eyes snapped to me.

After the SATs, most people were traveling. Not many knew about us.

Ronnie kept going, like my silence didn't matter. "Didn't you both apply to the same school in Crestport? It's been, what—a few days? You already broke up?"

"Oooh—"

A few guys whistled.

"Philip, man, you've got game."

Philip smirked. "I heard Stella had a thing for me, but we were never actually together."

Unbelievable.

Molly, who knew everything, snapped. "Can you not? Stella got into a school in Borevia City. She never applied to Crestport—and she never liked you."

Philip's face dropped. "Stella, is that true?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Sorry for the mix-up. I never applied to the same school as Philip, and I don't like him."

"Stella!" His jaw tightened. "You really think that's funny? Saying that in front of everyone?"