My Childhood Friend Spoiled My Admission Dream Chapter 05
A few days later, Caleb was invited to speak at graduation as valedictorian.
“Everyone, if there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s this—stay clear-headed.”
His voice echoed through the auditorium over the microphone.
“Don’t get distracted by cheap thrills. Don’t throw away your future for people who aren’t worth it. And definitely don’t end up like certain classmates who impulsively dumped themselves into some unaccredited colleges.”
People in the audience started turning to look at me.
Tessa Cole deliberately raised her voice. “Wonder who he means. Pretty obvious though.”
Caleb continued calmly. “Audrey Sinclair and I were both considered Ivy League material by our teachers. But the real difference between people isn’t grades.”
“It’s choices.”
A parent in the front row whispered, “Who’s Audrey Sinclair?”
Someone nearby answered immediately, “She’s the girl who changed her applications for some delinquent guy.”
Vivian sat in the first row. She turned to look at me with red eyes, but the smile at the corners of her mouth was impossible to hide.
Halfway through the speech, Caleb suddenly gestured toward her.
“There’s also someone I especially want to thank today. Vivian Hart.”
Vivian stood up in fake surprise.
“She came from nothing, but she’s worked hard this whole time. Unlike some people who use their wealthy background as an excuse to avoid responsibility, she deserves real respect.”
The auditorium burst into applause.
Vivian covered her mouth, tears appearing instantly.
“Caleb, I’m really not as good as you make me sound.”
“Yes, you are.”
The girls sitting beside me whispered excitedly.
“They look so good together.”
“Audrey seriously embarrassed herself this time.”
Even the school administrators onstage nodded approvingly.
Caleb grew more and more smug as he spoke, practically targeting me in public now.
“A lot of people ask me for study tips. Honestly, it’s simple.”
“Stay away from people who drain you. If someone makes you lose sight of your goals and throw away your future for feelings, cut them off immediately.”
Finally, the speech reached its last segment.
Caleb lifted the microphone with a mysterious smile.
“As it happens, my acceptance letter arrived today.”
“I specifically had it delivered here because I wanted to share this moment with everyone. I didn’t even check the results online beforehand.”
“I wanted to open my acceptance letter in front of the entire school.”
“To give my high school years the perfect ending… and hopefully inspire the students coming after us.”
Vivian immediately stood up. “Mr. Bennett, I can bring it to him.”
Derek handed her the package.
Vivian carried it onto the stage carefully, and when Caleb took it from her, he smiled into the microphone.
“Thanks, Vivian.”
The boys in the audience instantly started shouting. “Ooooh, future girlfriend delivering the acceptance letter!”
Vivian lowered her head shyly. “Stop saying stuff like that.”
Caleb didn’t deny it.
Instead, he looked straight at me, eyes filled with satisfaction and revenge.
“Before I open this, I want to say one last thing.”
“Everyone has to take responsibility for their choices. If someone chooses to ruin their own life, they shouldn’t complain when the world stops treating them with respect.”
The school staff adjusted the camera and projected the letter onto the giant screen.
Caleb slowly tore open the envelope on purpose, dragging out every movement dramatically.
Vivian stood beside him, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Halfway through opening it, Caleb suddenly paused and looked at me again.
“Audrey, I’ll give you one last chance.”
“Apologize to Vivian in front of everyone right now, and I’ll stop holding you accountable for falsely accusing her of tampering with your applications.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Then remember this moment.”
“Remember how you watched me walk into an Ivy League school while you ended up at a community college.”
I said nothing.
Caleb finally reached into the envelope and pulled out the paper inside, raising it high above his head.
“Everyone, take a good look.”
“This is what choosing the right life looks like.”
He lifted his chin proudly, completely unaware that the people who could actually see the paper were starting to look confused.
“What is that?”
A parent in the front row spoke first.
Caleb’s hand froze in midair.
On the giant screen, the document was magnified for the entire auditorium to see.
