I vowed to transfer schools with my childhood friend when he claimed he was being bullied.

But the day before we were to finalize the transfer, he backed out.

His friend teased him. "Man, you faked being a punching bag just to get rid of Alice Wiley? That's cold. You two have been thick as thieves since forever. Are you really cool with her going to a new school alone?"

Shane Page brushed it off. "It's just another high school across town. Not a big deal. I'm tired of her always being up my ass. This works out perfectly."

I stood frozen outside the door for a long time. Finally, I turned and walked away.

On the transfer form, I crossed out Oatheport High and filled in the international academy my parents had been pushing for.

Everyone seemed to forget that Shane and I were never equals.