My Childhood Crush Tricked Me Out of My College Spot

Verity, the top student at Ashford High, is manipulated by her childhood friend Cassian into giving up her recommendation spot for Halloway University so he can secure it for Elowen. After discovering their deceitful chat messages, Verity silently withdraws and instead joins the National Young Researchers Program, leaving for six years of training out west. Meanwhile, Cassian and Elowen's scheme unravels as their stolen honors, recommendation, and careers collapse. Six years later, Verity returns as a respected principal investigator and reviewer, while Cassian and Elowen face the consequences of their betrayal and end up with nothing.