Fight Fire with FireChapter 1

The moment I opened my eyes, I was back. Back to the day Sophie promised to buy the entire class a set of Labubus.

I’d never forget this scene. Not in a million lifetimes. In my past life, this was the exact moment my world shattered and plunged into darkness.

Sophie, my roommate, had secretly stolen my black card. She was parading it around, boasting that she was taking everyone on a shopping spree for the new limited-edition Labubus. Pick whatever you want, she’d said.

She had no idea that Labubu was my family’s brand. That my mother was the CEO of the world's largest designer toy conglomerate.

In my past life, she used that card to rack up an insane bill, saddling me with a mountain of debt I couldn't explain and turning me into a pariah.

When I confronted her, she collapsed into my boyfriend's arms, sobbing, "Aria, how could you blame me just because you can't handle your own spending problem?"

Later, on my way to the bank to get the transaction records, Sophie ran me down with her car.

The most chilling part? My entire class testified against me, claiming I’d faked the accident out of jealousy.

This time, as Sophie's boastful promise echoed in the room, I knew what was coming. I knew the panic that would seize her when the class chose the ultra-rare diamond editions, each worth a staggering fifty million dollars, bringing the total to over a billion.

…

* * *

"Listen up, everyone! The new Labubu line drops tomorrow. We're all going to the flagship store, and it's my treat. Pick whatever you like."

Sophie’s chin was held high, her voice bouncing off the dorm room walls.

A tremor shot through me.

I was really back. Back to the day my personal hell began.

Sophie swayed over, linking her arm with mine in a show of friendship.

"Aria, honey, I heard that flagship store is VIP-only. Doesn't your bank card have some kind of priority access? Let me borrow it so I can get everyone in without waiting in line."

The exact same excuse she used before.

My mother, wanting me to experience a normal college life, had given me a special supplementary card. It had a modest daily limit on the surface, but it was secretly linked to her corporate account's highest level of clearance.

Last time, Sophie had used the excuse of "borrowing" it, only to steal it and go on a wild shopping spree, maxing out what she thought was the limit.

The debt made me the laughingstock of the campus, cementing my reputation as a "gold digger."

When I confronted her, she’d cried and thrown herself into the arms of Mark, my boyfriend of three years.

"Aria, I know your family doesn't have much, but you can't just accuse me of theft because you can't pay your bills."

And Mark… he’d slapped me, calling me a vain, materialistic bitch.

On my way to the bank for proof, Sophie's car had slammed into me. She hadn't stopped. She’d reversed and run me over again, and again, until I stopped breathing.

As a ghost, I’d watched Mark and my classmates lie for her, telling the police I was a desperate scam artist who'd thrown myself in front of her car.

My mother, who was overseas on business, was devastated. By the time she uncovered the truth, Sophie’s family had already smuggled her out of the country. The grief and rage made my mother sick.

The memory made my blood boil. I wanted to tear the woman in front of me to pieces.

I swallowed my rage and looked at Sophie's perfectly fake smile.

"My card? I don't have it with me."

Mark was sprawled in my desk chair, glued to his game.

Without looking up, he scoffed, "Don't be a spoilsport, Aria. Sophie’s being generous. The least your useless card can do is be helpful for once."

He stood up, snatched the bag hanging from my bedpost, and dumped everything onto my mattress.

His eyes landed on the black card. He tossed it to Sophie.

"Here, Sophie. Go ahead. Don't mind this cheapskate."

Sophie beamed, pressing herself against Mark. "You're the best, Mark. I hope Aria isn't mad."

Mark’s face was soft with affection for her, but when he turned to me, his eyes were full of disgust.

"What is your problem, Aria? It’s just a card. Get over yourself."

I walked toward him.

CRACK!

The sound of my hand connecting with his cheek echoed in the sudden silence of the room. I’d put every ounce of my strength into it.

In the stunned silence, I smoothly plucked the card from Sophie's grasp.

"What gives you the right to touch my things, Mark?"

He cupped his cheek, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Aria! Are you insane? You're a scholarship kid living on financial aid. You dare hit me?"

CRACK!

Another slap, this time on his other cheek.

"Do I need to make an appointment?"