Part 2The Diary of a Blue Gum

Before I could recover, Aria sent another voice message.

"Stella, did you watch the video?"

I took a deep breath.

Clutching the phone, I wanted to demand an explanation.

But my hands were trembling so much that I couldn't type a single word.

Aria's voice messages came one after another.

"I have your diary. Sterling gave it to me."

"Actually, Sterling has been chasing me for two years, but I wanted to focus on my studies and never agreed."

"I just didn't expect him to get involved with you just to force me to admit my feelings."

"I'm really angry, but I have to admit, his tactic was very effective. I can no longer ignore his feelings."

"Sterling said you're too love-struck and was afraid you couldn't handle it if he told you directly. He wanted to break it to you slowly. But I think it's better to rip off the bandage quickly. So Stella, I'm officially notifying you—"

"Don't have any delusions about Sterling. He belongs to me."

"We've already agreed to apply to Stanford together."

"I advise you to focus on your studies. The SATs are in a year. With your current grades, it'll be hard for you to get into even a decent state college, right?"

Aria's voice was clear and cool, her pacing unhurried, her emotions calm and stable.

She carried the unique confidence of a straight-A student.