Part 2My Nemesis Thinks I'm Dead

In high school, Lucas and I were the perfect storm: I was the tomboyish troublemaker, and he was the fist-swinging school bully.

My feud with Lucas started on the very first day of freshman year.

Back then, I had short hair, wore the unisex school uniform, had a slightly deep voice, and an overly energetic personality. I was popular with both the guys and the girls.

But sometimes, being too energetic can make you seem like a... well, a real creep.

On the way to the cafeteria, I spotted my childhood best friend.

Without thinking, I sneaked up behind her and smacked her butt.

My friend let out a startled yelp. She turned around to look at me, but before she could say a word, I was violently kicked to the ground by a flying foot.

A guy stood over me, looking down with pure disgust. "Where did this little pervert come from? Disgusting."

I lay on the ground, completely stunned.

My friend stood nearby, frozen in shock.

Two seconds later, I snapped back to reality, jumped up, and kicked the guy hard in the leg.

"Are you insane?!"

The guy instinctively started defending himself and fighting back.

We started brawling, and my friend couldn't even pull us apart.

And so, on the very first day of school, Lucas and I became famous.

Because it was lunchtime, there was a huge crowd, and the incident had a terrible impact. We were forced to make a public apology at the first school-wide assembly.

That day, two new names were added to the disciplinary record book for the new semester at Skyline High:

Lucas Vance and Chloe Price.

For the next three years, we had countless arguments and tried to trip each other up countless times.

If he didn't pour vinegar in my water bottle, I'd put a fake cockroach in his textbook.

I made friends with everyone Lucas hated.

When Lucas played in basketball games, I brought a megaphone to cheer wildly for his opponents.

Though harmless, it was incredibly annoying.

He and I were like two opposing magnets; the moment we got close, there was a violent clash.

All these years later, that reaction hadn't weakened one bit.

Otherwise, Lucas wouldn't be constantly asking Leo about me.

Hearing that I was unlucky or doing poorly probably made him eat an extra bowl of rice that day.

Well, this is just perfect.

Leo told him I was dead.

I took two deep breaths, forcing myself to calm down.

Furious, I demanded, "And that idiot actually believed you?!"

From what I knew, Lucas wasn't easily fooled.

"He didn't believe me at first."

Leo didn't quite dare to look at me. "But you know that family in the building next to ours is having a funeral, right? When I was at work today, I heard the mourning music, got a little sentimental, and posted a status update..."

I froze, grabbing my phone to check.

His latest status update:

[Life is unpredictable. May the departed rest in peace. 🕯️]

I laughed out of sheer anger.

Talk about perfect timing and location.

Exhausted, I asked my final question.

"Is that bastard gloating right now?"

"Actually, no."

Leo perked up, leaning in closer. "On the contrary, Lucas has been acting really weird all day."

"He had a meeting this morning, got in the elevator, hit the top floor, then went from the top floor down to the basement. He was totally spacing out."

"During his lunch break, he burned himself in the breakroom. He poured boiling hot water right onto his hand without even blinking."

"This afternoon, while organizing files, he stapled his own hand."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. He basically has 'distracted and terrified' stamped on his forehead."

I was surprised.

"Because of me?"

"Most likely."

Well, that was truly bizarre.

My death hit him that hard?

Leo thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh.

"I got it, Sis!"

I gave him a side-eye.

Leo: "Lucas is definitely scared! He's afraid that now you're dead, you'll turn into a vengeful ghost and come after him!"

My temple throbbed. Unable to hold back any longer, I smacked him upside the head.

"Get lost!"