Chapter 3

Riley's POV

Next morning, administration building at Riverside University. The robotics club advisor's office.

The air in the room feels heavy.

A few of us from the team stand there. Sophie hides behind Bryce, sniffling quietly. Bryce looks annoyed.

He glances at me and smirks. "Seriously, Riley? I called you out yesterday and you ran to the professor? Can't handle a little criticism and you think you can run a club?"

The professor glares at Bryce. "Shut your mouth. What do you mean, called her out? My student spent three months on a project and it's destroyed. I'm not allowed to ask questions?"

He turns to me, face red with anger. He slams the competition registration form on his desk, the one that got voided because we missed the deadline. "Riley! You're the president! Do you have any idea how much the school cares about this competition? Three months of work, and you're telling me the control board got ruined by coffee? How does something this careless even happen?"

The VP steps forward. "Professor, this isn't on Riley. Sophie ignored lab rules. Riley literally just reminded everyone yesterday, no liquids near the main work area. Sophie walked in with coffee today anyway."

Bryce gives a bitter laugh. "Professor, you can't put this all on Sophie. Riley's been running things poorly. The lab rules weren't clear. Sophie was just trying to help, bringing everyone drinks. Riley didn't set up proper safety measures, and then she verbally attacked Sophie. Sophie's traumatized. As president, Riley should take full responsibility."

A few team members look shocked, even furious.

Everyone knows how much I put into this project. And now Bryce is throwing me under the bus.

The professor frowns and looks at me.

He's used to me backing down in situations like this. Taking the blame even when it's not mine.

But today, I'm calm. I'm not wearing that oversized hoodie. I put on a clean white button-down instead.

One of the team members looks ready to argue. I raise my hand and stop him.

"Professor, the lab rules are posted on the door. Black and white. Everyone in the club knows them. Sophie ignored the rules and brought liquid into the core work area. That's the main cause."

"You're still making excuses!" Bryce snaps. "Riley, have you lost it? You're desperate to blame Sophie so you don't look bad? Just apologize to her already and step down. Stop embarrassing yourself."

I look at Bryce's furious face. It's almost funny.

I reach into my bag and pull out a document I printed earlier. I set it on the professor's desk.

"Don't worry about it, Bryce." My voice comes out flat. "This is my resignation letter. Starting today, I'm stepping down as president and leaving the club for good. As for damages from the incident, I've already pulled the lab security footage and sent you a backup, Professor. The video shows exactly how Sophie 'accidentally' spilled coffee on the board. If there are any reimbursement issues, the school can deal with Sophie directly."

My words hit like a bomb.

Sophie stops crying. Her face goes white. She didn't think I'd keep a copy of the footage.

"Riley, you set Sophie up?" Bryce reaches out like he's about to grab my collar. "You're insane. What the hell do you think you're doing?"

I don't let him. My hand flies up. The slap echoes through the office, sharp and loud.

Everyone around us gasps.

I shake out my stinging hand and stare at Bryce, his head turned to the side.

"Bryce, watch your mouth. Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?"

Bryce touches his face. He looks completely stunned. He stares at me like he doesn't recognize me.

The Riley who never stood up to him, who barely raised her voice, just slapped him in front of everyone.

"You... you hit me?" Bryce's voice shakes with anger.

"Damn right I did. You're pathetic." I don't look at him again. I turn to the professor and nod. "Professor, all the handoff materials are on your desk. I'm leaving now."

I walk out of the office. No one says a word. I don't look back.

Within hours, the news spreads across campus. Former robotics club president Riley Blake slapped Bryce Carter, the golden boy everyone knows, right in front of witnesses.

The campus Reddit explodes. "Riley slaps her cheating ex" trends immediately. Everyone's shocked. 

The girl who followed Bryce around everywhere, quiet and desperate for his approval, finally fought back.