Chapter 4 I opened my laptop right away and started checking every single line . It was exactly the same . Not just the code , but even the programming language matched my second version . But I had never shown it to anyone . Could it really just be a coincidence ? Nicole and I picked the same project for the competition , used the same programming language , and somehow wrote the exact same code ? No way . Had my laptop been hacked ? I sucked in a deep breath and sat down , combing through every file and setting . An hour later , I confirmed there were no viruses or shady programs hiding anywhere . That only left me drowning in doubt . My head was spinning so much that I didn't even notice Mark calling me . He'd been standing there , getting impatient , saying my name over and over . " Kelsey . Kelsey ! What's got you so spaced out ? " I jumped at his voice , spun around , and froze when I saw Nicole standing next to him . She spoke softly , as if she were scared I might snap at her , " Um ... Mark said I've been working hard on the contest , so he invited me to grab dinner with you guys . You don't mind , right ? " Looking at her sweet , innocent face made me curl my fists without me realizing it . I couldn't stop the memories of her ruining my life in my past life from flashing in my head . Anger burned in my chest . But this wasn't the time to go at her . I forced myself to stay calm , trying to come up with an excuse to leave . Nicole cut me off before I could say anything . " Don't get the wrong idea . Mark just wants to celebrate . If you don't come , he'll get upset . " I looked up at Mark . Sure enough , his face had already gone dark . He muttered , " It's just dinner . Stop acting so jealous . Nicole already invited you . Don't be ungrateful . " Logic told me that I should say no and leave , that I should stay far , far away from these two . But the doubts and frustration inside me pushed me to nod instead , as if my body wasn't even my own . I needed to know what was really going on . After a few seconds of silence , I said , " Okay . Let's go . " Nicole's eyes sparkled as she shot Mark a playful wink , then looped her arm through his and led the way . We ended up at one of their regular spots . What I didn't expect was that it wouldn't just be the three of us . Nicole's six teammates were already waiting inside . The second we walked in , everyone swarmed around Nicole . They raised their glasses of soda and lemonade , showering her with compliments . Meanwhile , I sat in the corner , picking at my food as if it were cardboard . It felt as if I was invisible ; nobody even looked my way . All eyes were on Nicole , and the praise never stopped . " Nicole , you're incredible . No wonder you've got that genius IQ . Must be those professor parents of yours . " Chapter 4 +15 Bonus " For real . You handled that tough project as if it were nothing . Even after someone stole your code , you still managed to redo it in one day ! " " And she's gorgeous on top of all that . Total dream girl . " Nicole basked in it with a wide sinile , laughing along as if she'd earned every bit of it . Until someone finally said , " Mark , you're so lucky to have Nicole as your girlfriend . I'm jealous as hell . "