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“Not from graduating, Maxine. Provided you successfully complete your remaining coursework and meet all graduation requirements, you will still receive your diploma. However, given the unresolved questions surrounding your academic record, the administration believes it would be inappropriate for you to participate in the ceremony until the matter has been resolved.”

“That’s bullshit,” Milo says.

Hargrove’s jaw tightens. “The decision can be reviewed if new evidence comes to light.”

“So you’re punishing her before you’ve even proved she’s done anything wrong?”

“This is not a punishment. It’s an administrative decision.”

“Call it whatever the fuck you want. It’s still wrong.”

I barely register their voices anymore.

Brown.

My acceptance.

My financial aid.

Graduation.

Everything I’ve spent the last four years working toward.

Gone.

All because someone decided to take something I wrote and pretend it was theirs.

I remain frozen in my chair, staring at Principal Hargrove, unable to find a single word to say.

Of course.

Of course this would happen.

How could I have been so fucking blind?

Peyton was never going to roll over and accept defeat. She had to get back at me somehow. Had to make sure that even after everything she’d already done to me, I would never get to be happy.

Not while she had anything to say about it.

That fucking bitch just took my future away.

“Who contacted Brown with the allegation?” Milo asks, his voice dangerously quiet.

“I’m afraid I can’t disclose that information.”

Milo slams both hands down on Hargrove’s desk, making me jump. “Who was it?”

“I’ve already told you I can’t say.” Hargrove straightens in his chair. “And I would tread very carefully if I were you, Milo. I can just as easily recommend that you be excluded from the graduation ceremony.”

“You think I give a shit about that?” Milo snaps. “Don’t waste your breath. If Max isn’t walking across that stage, neither am I.”

He turns to me and holds out his hand. I take it, my fingers trembling so badly I can barely wrap them around his.

When we reach the hallway, Milo pulls me into his arms.

“We’ll get this sorted out,” he promises, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I swear to you, Max. We’ll fix this.”

But I know better. I know Peyton’s handiwork when I see it. She never leaves anything to chance, never makes a move without making sure every possible outcome works in her favor. And if she’s managed to convince Brown to rescind my acceptance, then I don’t see how anything we do is going to change their minds.