Chapter 1 Josie , you know you screwed up , right ? " Vincent Oldham's voice yanked Josie Pearson out of her fog Her eyes zeroed in on his face , sharp and familiar . " Wait , didn't I die ?" she thought . Two years after her mentor sold her out and landed her in prison , she'd hit rock bottom , crashing her head into a wall to es depression . So why a why am I staring at Vincent , my old college buddy ? ' Josie blinked hard , her eyes burning . ' Am I tripping again ? escape the Imagining my crew's here to spring me from jail ? " " Look , we get it - you're gunning to join Professor David Lawson's research team . But that's no excuse for throwing Natalie under the bus , " Vincent said , his tone sharp . " You realize what you've done ? You accused Natalie of jacking your paper , and now she's so messed up she hasn't shown her face at school in days . " Keep this up , Josic , and you're gonna push her off the deep end . When did you turn so cold - blooded ? " Vincent was getting pissed , slamming his coffee mug on the table when she didn't respond . The sharp clunk snapped her out of it . This wasn't a dream . She was really here , face - to - face with Vincent - ten years younger Vincent . Holy crap . She'd somehow jumped back decade . Right now , she was still a senior at Aloville Medical School , fresh off nailing the written exam for Professor David Lawson's elite research Tram . She'd crushed it , landing a spot in the final round . But then came the sucker punch Natalie Kinberg's thesis was a near clone of hers - same angle , same methods , same vibe . No way that was a coincidence . While Josie was digging for answers , rumors about Natalie plagiarizing spread like wildfire , David's project was a big deal - first of its kind in the country , with a team of rockstar researchers , including five of Josie's seniors . Those five had been her crew since sophomore year , always having her back in class and life . They were family . Then Natalie showed up , and it all flipped . The support , the late - night study sessions , the laughs - they all went to her . Even David , who used to praise Josie's grind , started treating Natalie like the star pupil . When the plagiarism rumors hit , her seniors swore Josie was the one stirring the pot . Even David tore into her , face red with anger . Josie wasn't Natalie's biggest fan , no lie . She'd been competitive , always trying to outshine her , desperate to reclaim the spotlight . But she never spread those rumors or accused Natalie of stealing " You really blew it ," Vincent said , his voice softening a bit . " Professor Lawson's giving you a shot , though . Apologize to Natalie in front of the whole school , and he'll let it go . " He'll even keep the administration from nailing you with a punishment . " " But if you keep doubling down and dragging her name through the mud , you're done . Expulsion's on the table ! * Fine . I'll apologize , Josie said , her voice flat , eyes locked on his . Vincent was a year ahead , a small - town kid like her who'd fought his way into this school . She'd known him longest - four years . She thought he'd have her back , trust her when she said she didn't start this drama . P P Chapter 1 Nope . He was the first one here , pushing her to eat crow . Vincent blinked , caught off guard by her quick surrender . Josie didn't cave this easy , not the Josie he knew . Still , an apology was a win , so he didn't push . " Alright , it's a deal , " he said . " TII tell Professor Lawson . Write that apology letter tonight . You're reading it to the whole school tomorrow . " Josie's lips curled into a sharp , bitter smirk . She wasn't that gullible girl anymore . She knew the truth : Natalie spread those rumors herself , playing the victim to turn everyone against Josie . Depression ? Just a sob story to make the seniors fawn over her . But that wasn't the point now . Josie wanted to know how Natalie jacked her thesis without leaving a trace . In her old life , she'd refused to apologize . The mess blew up , the school investigated , and they found nothing on Natalie . Meanwhile , Josie got hit with a disciplinary record , her seniors called her heartless , and that stain wrecked her job prospects after graduation . Not this time . She wasn't taking the fall . If someone was going down , it sure as hell wouldn't be her . The next morning , Josie steeled herself to eat humble pie and make her public apology She threw on her backpack and stepped out of the dorm , chin up despite the knot in her gut . As she crossed campus , the whispers and side - eyes trailed her like a bad smell . There she is - Professor Lawson's former golden girl . Got all jealous and trashed the department's darling for supposedly jacking her paper . " " She thought she was all that with her grades , catching the eye of our live campus hotties . Then Natalie rolls in - just as smart , drop- dead gorgeous , and actually nice . " Look at that sour face . She's not even in Natalie's league . Why those guys still have her back is beyond me . " Have her back ? Please . They're all Team Natalie now . This whole ' say sorry in front of everyone thing ? Aiden's call " Aiden's idea , huh ? Josie let out a sharp , bitter scoff and picked up her pace to dodge the gossip . She'd barely hit the quad when Jaden Monroe , her senior , caught up . Jaden was a first - year grad student who'd saved her bacon back in her senior year . She'd been floundering in her toughest classes , and he'd tossed her his killer notes , helping her ace her exams . When he was stressing over grad school apps , Josie had pulled all - nighters hunting down research and reference books for him . She'd never owed him or any of the guys a thing . Jaden shot her a look , heavy with disappointment . Josie , I always thought you were one of the good ones . " Never figured you'd pull something this low just to get ahead . And Natalie ? She's too kind to even hold it against you " You didn't see her after what you did . She's a mess - skinnier , totally worn out . Those big , bright eyes ? No spark left ." " And still , she's got your back . Went to Professor Lawson on the down low , begging him to let you off this public apology crap . But you ' gotta have a heart , yeah ? " " So when you see her , you better say sorry - and mean it , okay ?" Josie dropped her gaze , lashes hiding the fire in her eyes . " Got it , Jaden , I'll make things right with her , I swear . " " Should've thought twice before pulling that stunt . Jaden almost kept going , but seeing her stand there , head down like a kid who got caught , made him ease up Deep down , he'd always seen Josie as a solid kid - smart , hardworking , always chasing her academic dreams . Everyone respected her grind . P P. Chapter 1 So how the hell did she think screwing someone ov over for a spot was okay ? Jaden wondered , shaking his head . What a letdown " With a heavy sigh , Jaden led her toward Professor Lawson's office .