My Boyfriend Stole My Fellowship

In the Dean's office, the air was thick with tension.

Dean Miller looked at me over his spectacles, his expression grave.

Serena Sterling, are you absolutely certain about withdrawing your application for the Brooks Research Fellowship? he asked.

I opened my mouth to confirm, but my boyfriend beat me to it.

"She isn't sure at all!" Reid Callahan shouted.

"She was just crying in the hallway about how much she wanted this," he added, his voice dripping with fake concern.

The color drained from everyone's faces in the room.

Reid's younger sister, Willow, was next on the waitlist.

I was the only thing standing between her and her dream career.

I didn't even want the spot anymore.

My father had been breathing down my neck to take over Sterling International for months.

As soon as I signed the paper, the system would update and Willow would be in.

The Dean was just performing a final, routine check.

But Reid just had to open his big, stupid mouth.

I stared at him, my heart hammering against my ribs in disbelief.

Reid patted my hand patronizingly, looking at the Dean with a sigh.

"Serena, I've clearly spoiled you too much," he said.

"I know your roommate has been guilt-tripping you to give up your spot for her, but you can't be that much of a pushover."

I froze, my blood turning to ice.

He actually thought I was doing this for my roommate?

01

Reid Callahan never knew when to shut up.

Whether it was a minor disagreement or a life-altering decision, he loved to stir the pot.

He wouldnt stop until the entire situation was a chaotic mess.

Then, when people actually got angry, hed act like the victim.

I was just joking around, why are you being so sensitive? hed say.

But today wasn't a game.

Today was the final deadline for the Fellowship confirmation.

The portal closed at five p.m. sharp, no exceptions.

It was already two-thirty in the afternoon.

Willow was waiting for me to withdraw so her name would move up.

This was her only shot.

Professor Brooks was retiring this year.

He was only taking students through this specific fellowship program, no external applications.

If this wasn't settled today, Willows four years of hard work would be flushed down the toilet.

Dean Millers face darkened at Reids outburst.

Ms. Sterling, Im going to ask you one last time. Is this withdrawal completely voluntary?

I moved to speak, but Reid cut me off again.

Dean, shes just being stubborn, he said, leaning over the desk.

I saw her wiping away tears in the hallway just minutes ago.

Her roommate, Lexi, has been hounding her to give up the spot, and Serena is too nice to say no.

Both the Dean and I froze in place.

Dean Miller frowned, setting the confirmation form down on the desk.

Even the clerk in charge of the digital entry stopped typing.

I gripped my application, my voice trembling with frustration.

What the hell are you talking about, Reid? This is my choice! Nobody forced me!

All the paperwork is ready. Just let the Dean process it so it gets into the system!

The portal closes at five. If we wait any longer, itll be too late!

Reid just arched an eyebrow at me, looking smug.

See? Look how panicked she is. Normal people don't get this worked up over giving up a fellowship unless theyre being coerced.

The other students waiting in the office began to whisper.

It is a bit weird, one girl murmured. Why is she in such a rush to quit?

Maybe her roommate really is blackmailing her, another whispered.

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

Reid was insisting I was being threatened.

If there was even a hint of coercion, the office would have to freeze the process to investigate.

But Willow didn't have time for an investigation.

The system wouldn't wait for anyone.

If it wasn't confirmed today, her future was gone.

Seeing Dean Miller reach for the file to set it aside, I grew desperate.

Dean, please! Im doing this for my family business. My father is waiting for me to take over Sterling International!

Reid has no idea what hes talking about. Hes just making things up as usual.

Ill sign a legal affidavit right now if I have to!

My eyes were stinging with frustrated tears.

Dean Miller looked between me and Reid, silence stretching through the room.

Just as he was about to speak, Reid let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

Of course shed say that. You think shed admit to being bullied right in front of her professors?

If you don't believe me, go ask Lexi Kent. I heard her brainwashing Serena in their dorm with my own ears.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was a text from Willow: Serena? Professor Brooks just emailed me. He said he needs the confirmation by five or hes giving the slot to someone from another university.

I squeezed the phone, caught in a nightmare.

Reid, Im begging you, stop this right now, I hissed.

This is important. If we miss this window, its over.

Reid just shrugged, looking entirely unbothered.

Its just a fellowship, Serena. Your roommate can just apply the normal way. Why should you sacrifice your future for a stranger?

He had no idea.

He didn't realize the person waiting for that spot was his own sister.

02

I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to scream.

This wasn't the time for a public execution of our relationship.

I turned back to the Dean. Dean Miller, he doesn't have the full picture. My intent is clear. Please, process the withdrawal.

The Dean hesitated, his pen hovering over the signature line.

Reid panicked. He slammed his hand down on the desk.

Dean! Shes being manipulated! Is the university really going to let this happen? Youre just going to ignore a student being coerced?

The air in the office turned cold.

Dean Miller froze, his face hardening.

Once the word coercion was thrown around, the Deans office had to follow protocol.

No administrator wanted that kind of liability on their hands.

I glared at Reid, feeling like my chest was about to explode.

Will you shut the hell up!

Reid looked at me with those wide, innocent eyes.

Im your boyfriend, Serena. If I don't look out for you, who will? Youre too soft for your own good.

Dean Miller put his pen down.

He looked at both of us, his tone shifting to something much more formal.

Here is the situation, Ms. Sterling. Since your partner has raised serious concerns about your safety and the integrity of this process, we need to verify the facts.

You should head back to your dorm. We will contact your advisor and your roommate this afternoon to clarify things.

No! I shouted.

The sound echoed through the sterile office.

Dean, today is the deadline! The system locks at five! An investigation will take days!

I will write a voluntary statement right here. You can film me signing it. I don't care!

But please, do it now. Im begging you.

The Dean looked conflicted.

Suddenly, Reid pulled out his phone and waved it in the air like a trophy.

You say nobody is forcing you? Fine. Lets bring in a witness. Lets see how long you can keep up this lie.

My heart skipped a beat.

He hit a contact and put the phone to his ear.

Three minutes later, the door swung open.

It was Faith Montgomery.

Reids ex-girlfriend.

She was in a different department, and she had hated my guts from the moment Reid and I started dating.

She walked in, her eyes scanning me with a glint of malicious joy.

Reid pointed at her. Dean, this is Faith. She saw everything. She witnessed Serenas roommate threatening her.

Faith cleared her throat, her expression morphing into one of deep concern.

Its true, Dean Miller. I was at the dorms visiting a friend the other day, and I walked past Serenas room.

Her roommate was being incredibly aggressive. She was saying things like You aren't even going to use the degree, just give me the spot already.

Serena looked absolutely miserable. I even heard her crying in the stairwell later about how she felt trapped.

She told the story with such vivid detailDtimes, locations, specific phrases.

The onlookers in the office began to mutter again.

Thats too specific to be made up...

Poor girl, no wonder shes so desperate to sign the papers. Shes terrified.

I was shaking with rage.

Faith had never been to my dorm.

She didn't even know what Lexi looked like.

It was all a total fabrication.

When exactly were you at my dorm, Faith? I challenged, my voice cold. Whats my roommates full name? Can you even describe her?

Faith blinked, her eyes darting to Reid for a split second before she recovered.

I wasn't there to see you, Serena. I don't memorize the names of every random girl in the hallway. But I know what I heard.

Reid jumped back in. There you go! A witness! Dean, you have to take this seriously!

Dean Millers face was like stone.

He slid my confirmation form back into his desk drawer.

Ms. Sterling, we cannot proceed today. We will notify you once the investigation is complete.

My head spun.

If we didn't do it today, Willows spot was gone.

Four years of her life, wasted.

My phone buzzed again.

Another text from Willow: Serena, Professor Brooks says this is the final hour. Hes going to give the spot to the guy from Stanford if he doesn't see the update... Serena, are you there?

I stared at the screen, unable to find the words to reply.

03

I stood in the hallway outside the office, staring at Reid.

Faith stood beside him, looking smug, as if shed just done a great community service.

What the hell is wrong with you? I hissed.

Reid looked at me, completely self-righteous. Im protecting you! Who cares about your roommate? Why should she get to steal your hard work?

Im telling you, Serena, as long as Im around, nobody is going to screw you over.

He actually looked proud of himself.

I felt a wave of nausea. You say shes threatening me? Wheres the proof? Aside from Faiths little fairy tale?

Do you have a single text? A recording? Anything real?

Reid paused for a second, then waved his hand dismissively.

Why would Faith lie? She saw it with her own eyes.

Besides, nobody in their right mind gives up a fellowship like this. It doesn't make sense.

Faith chimed in, Exactly. You should be thanking him, Serena. Hes looking out for your future.

I looked at the thin, cruel smile on her face.

She knew she was lying.

She just wanted to burn my life down.

I checked my phone. 2:58 p.m.

Two hours left.

I turned around and marched back into the Deans office.

Dean Miller, I can call my father right now. He can tell you that I am voluntarily joining the company.

I have months of text logs discussing this plan with him. Please, give me one more chance.

The Dean sighed and nodded. Fine. Call him.

I dialed my father and put him on speaker.

His voice boomed through the office.

Hey, honey! Is the paperwork done? Everything is set at the office. Were just waiting for you to come home and take the reins.

Dean Millers expression softened slightly.

I pulled up my texts and showed him the history.

I showed him the transition plan wed been working on for six months.

The Dean picked up his pen and reached for the drawer.

I felt a tiny spark of hope.

Wait a minute! Reid shouted.

He had followed me back in and was pointing at my phone screen.

Texts can be faked! And of course her dad is going to say thatDhe probably wants her to quit so she can work for free!

Dean, her familys opinion isn't objective proof of her roommates behavior!

Dean Miller stopped again, his patience finally wearing thin.

Mr. Callahan, you aren't even in this department. This is private academic business. Please wait outside.

Reid flinched but didn't back down.

Im her boyfriend! Her business is my business! Im just trying to make sure she isn't being used!

Think about how much a fellowship is worth. Giving it up for nothing? It smells like a scam!

I was done explaining.

Every word I spoke was a minute wasted, and every minute was a nail in Willows coffin.

I stepped around Reid, grabbed a pen from the desk, and scrawled my name on the form.

There, I said, sliding it to the Dean. My signature. My statement. My fathers testimony.

Whatever he says has nothing to do with me. Process it.

The Dean looked at the signature, hesitating.

Just as he reached for it, Faith spoke up.

Dean, I have one more thing.

I didn't just hear them. I have a photo.

She pulled up her phone and showed the Dean a blurry image.

It showed two girls in a dark hallway corner.

I took this three days ago. Thats Serena on the left, and her roommate on the right, having a huge argument.

The photo was so grainy you couldn't see faces, but the timestamp said three days ago.

Dean Miller squinted at the screen.

Reid added fuel to the fire. See? Physical evidence. How much more do you need?

I froze.

The photo was a total fake.

Three days ago, I wasn't even on campus.

But I couldn't prove where I was in thirty seconds.

Dean Millers face turned grim as he put the form back in the drawer.

Ms. Sterling, Im sorry. With this much conflicting evidence, I have to report this to the Board for a formal inquiry.

Until then, this application is frozen.

The strength left my legs.

3:15 p.m.

One hour and forty-five minutes until the portal closed forever.

04

I stood in the hallway, my mind racing.

One hour and forty-five minutes.

That was all the time left in Willows world.

I grabbed Reid by the arm and dragged him to a quiet corner.

Im asking you for the last time. Do you have any idea who that spot is actually going to? I hissed.

Reid shook me off, looking annoyed. Its going to Lexi Kent. Serena, youre too kind.

A fellowship like this changes your life. Why would you give it to a stranger?

Im doing this for your own good, don't you get it?

I stared into his eyes.

He really didn't know.

He genuinely believed I was being bullied by my roommate.

Willow had begged me not to tell him.

Serena, please don't tell Reid, she had said. You know how he is. Hell try to handle it and just ruin everything.

Her mother had called me, too.

Serena, please just help Willow with the paperwork quietly. Reids heart is in the right place, but hes a loose cannon.

I had thought they were being overly cautious back then.

Now I realized they knew him better than I ever did.

Their worst fears were coming true.

I took a deep breath, ready to tell him the truth.

Listen to me. That spot isn't for Lexi. Its forD

Before I could finish, Faith swept in and grabbed Reids arm.

Reid, stop arguing with her. I just saw her Academic Advisor on the second floor.

Why don't we go tell him about the coercion? He can actually file the formal complaint.

Reids eyes lit up. Yes! The Advisor will handle it!

He started to run toward the stairs.

I grabbed his jacket. Stop! If you go to the Advisor, this will never get cleared by five!

Reid shoved me back, looking disgusted. See? Youre acting guilty. If you weren't being coerced, you wouldn't be so scared.

He stormed off toward the stairs.

Faith trailed behind him. As she passed me, she leaned in close.

Serena, she whispered. Your roommates little dream ends today.

She wasn't trying to help Reid.

She was just enjoying the kill.

She was convinced she was ruining my roommates life to spite me.

I didn't have time to chase them. I called Willow.

The phone rang six times before she picked up.

Serena? her voice was tiny and fragile. Is it done?

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Willows voice started to crack.

Is... is something wrong?

I closed my eyes. Willow, don't panic. Theres still time. Im going to fix this.

I hung up and ran to the second floor.

The door to the Advisors office was cracked open.

Mr. Davis, my girlfriend is being harassed into giving up her fellowship! Reids voice was booming.

The Deans office found photos! This is a Title IX issue!

The Advisor looked horrified.

I burst into the room, gasping for air. Hes lying! Theres no harassment! Im doing this voluntarily!

Reid looked at me with pity. Its okay, Serena. Mr. Davis is going to protect you.

He looked so sincere. So confident.

He truly believed he was the hero of this story.

That kind of blind arrogance was more suffocating than malice.

Mr. Davis looked between us, overwhelmed.

I will have to log this and report it to the Dean of Students, he said.

No! I cried out. The system locks at five! Theres no time for reports!

Mr. Davis, please, just call the Deans office and tell them youve verified its my choice.

Its one phone call. Please!

Mr. Davis looked at Reid, then at Faith.

Reid shook his head firmly. Don't listen to her, sir. Shes just been broken down by the bully.

4:03 p.m.

Less than an hour left.

05

I didn't have another second to waste on Reid.

I bolted back down the stairs to the Deans office.

Dean Miller was still there, looking through some files.

I stood in front of his desk, my words tripping over each other.

Dean, I can bring Lexi Kent here right now. She can tell you herself that she never asked for the fellowship.

She already got into a program at Columbia! She doesn't even need my spot!

The Dean paused. Your roommate is already committed elsewhere?

Yes! She got her acceptance in October! She has nothing to gain from my spot!

I scrambled to pull up Lexis social media, showing him her Im going to Columbia! post.

Dean Miller studied the screen.

If your roommate already has a placement, then the motive for coercion disappears...

I nodded frantically. Ill call her! Shell be here in five minutes!

Lexi answered on the first ring and sprinted over to the building.

4:21 p.m.

Thirty-nine minutes left.

Lexi burst into the office, out of breath.

Dean Miller, Im Lexi Kent. Im Serenas roommate.

Im headed to New York in the fall. I have never, ever asked Serena for her fellowship.

Whatever her boyfriend is saying is complete bullshit.

The Dean nodded slowly, reaching into his drawer for the form.

My heart was beating so hard I thought it might burst through my ribs.

One signature. That was all it took.

The Dean picked up his pen.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open.

The Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Harrison, stood there, looking livid.

Miller, don't sign that.

He was holding a printed document.

We just received a formal whistleblower report alleging academic fraud and fellowship trading involving Serena Sterling.

The university is initiating an immediate freeze on this position.

I felt like the world had just stopped turning.

Dean Miller took the document and began to read.

I looked through the gap in the door and saw them in the hallway.

Reid and Faith.

Reid gave me a thumbs-up, mouthing the words, Ive got your back.

Faith was standing behind him, her head down, her shoulders shaking.

She was laughing.

They had filed a formal report with the Vice Dean.

Reid thought he was saving me by escalating it to the highest level.

Faith was just happy to watch the world burn.

Dr. Harrison looked at the Dean. This slot is frozen until the investigation is over.

Dean Miller put the form back.

This time, he locked the drawer.

4:39 p.m.

Lexi grabbed my arm, her voice shaking. Serena, what do we do?

I stood there, listening to the clock on the wall.

It was over.

My phone was vibrating non-stop.

Willow was calling. Over and over.

I couldn't answer.

How was I supposed to tell her that her own brother had just destroyed her life?

Five oclock.

The computer in the office chimed, signaling the portal was closed.

The silence that followed was deafening.