Dustin was sitting with his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, next to his best friend Chase, when he overheard a rumor that made his stomach turn. Whispers were circulating about Savannah, his crush; people were saying she was dating multiple guys. He heard the harsh words “slut”and “whore” thrown around, and it made his blood boil. Deep down, he knew that Brooke, Savannah’s ex-best friend, was likely the source of these vicious rumors, motivated by jealousy and a desire to ruin Savannah's reputation. Dustin had always despised Brooke—her reputation as a cheater and a manipulator preceded her. Murmuring to himself in resentment, he said, “I can’t believe that thot Brooke would do that to Savannah. That’s a low blow, even for her.” He shook his head in disbelief, feeling the warmth of anger spreading through him. As he glanced over at Savannah, who was sitting with Angelina and Genevieve, and her boyfriend Tom, Dustin felt a sting of jealousy. Tom, his best friend, was laughing easily with Savannah, and it made Dustin’s heart sink. He frowned, narrowing his eyebrows, fighting the wave of frustration surging within him. Dustin had harbored a massive crush on Savannah long before her makeover; back then, she had been completely smitten by Sage, the star jock. Sage, who was still dating the possessive Brooke at the time, had never given Savannah a single glance. But Dustin had noticed her—he always had. Now, with Savannah transformed and more desirable than ever, it felt like all the other guys were vying for her attention especially Sage. Each time he saw Tom's arm draped casually over Savannah’s shoulders, it felt like a knife twisting in his chest. He couldn't help but feel that pang of envy towards Tom and Sage, his jock friends, who always seemed to get the girls while he felt more like an invisible figure—chopped liver. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Sage sitting with Brooke and her friends Rachel and Alicia. Sage was glowering at Savannah and Tom, who were lost in laughter, he was severely jealous.