We will never meet again in the future Chapter 2

When I came out of the principal's office, having confirmed that the donation my family had promised for a new computer lab would still go through even after I left, he was practically bowing to me. As I turned the corner, I ran into Leo and Chloe.

"Leo, your little fiancée was just in the principal's office," Chloe said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "You don't think she was telling on us, do you?" She put on a pathetic, frightened face and reached for my hand. "Please, don't get the wrong idea. We really were just using those for a science experiment. We didn't break any rules."

I pulled my hand away, a wave of disgust washing over me. "I don't know you. Please call me by my name, Hailey."

Chloe's eyes welled up with tears. "I... I was just trying to be friendly. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to get close to someone like you. Please, Hailey, don't tell the principal. I'll stay away from Leo from now on, I promise!"

Leo stepped in front of her, his expression a mixture of anger and frustration. "Hailey, this is a school. Stop acting like a spoiled princess." He glared at me. "You're going to go back in there and tell the principal that you were just joking, that Chloe and I are just friends."

"It's okay, Leo," Chloe said, peeking out from behind him. "Everyone knows you and Hailey are inseparable. It was my fault for even thinking I could be friends with you." She turned to leave, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

Leo grabbed her arm, his eyes locked on mine. "You know, Hailey, you're really disgusting. I'm a person, too. Why do I have to be tied to you all the time? I can't even have my own friends! Did you buy me or something?"

They went on like this, a perfectly rehearsed scene. When they finally paused for breath, I looked at Leo, at the undisguised loathing in his eyes, and said softly, "Didn't I?"