Chapter 2 Chalk dust floated in the sunlight as I stared at my open palms . 55 vouchers No calluses from years of housework , no pallor from sleepless nights . These were the hands of an eighteen - year - old girl . I had truly gone back in time . " Clara ! " Brayden , our teacher , bellowed again . " Do you even know how to solve this problem ? " The whole class turned to look at me , their eyes gleaming with anticipation for my embarrassment . In my past life , I would have flushed crimson , stammering incoherently . After all , " Clara the Clueless " was my well - earned nickname . I stood up and glanced at the math problem on the board . It was a simple SAT practice question . Last time , I'd deliberately failed every test just to attend the same mediocre university as Carson . " The answer is the square root of three . " My voice rang clear . The classroom fell silent . Brayden adjusted his glasses , unable to hide his shock . " The ... the working steps ? " I walked up to the podium , picked up a piece of chalk , and with practiced ease wrote out three different solutions . As I wrote , I caught whispers behind me . " Did Clara take the wrong pills ? " " She barely passed math before ! " " Damn , her handwriting is gorgeous ... " Finishing the last symbol , I turned and casually removed those hideous black - framed glasses . In my past life , Carson said girls with glasses looked " intellectual . " A collective gasp filled the room . " Holy shit ... " Sawyer , the P.E. monitor , swore loudly from the back row . Ignoring them , I reached up and undid that frumpy ponytail . My hair cascaded down like a waterfall , chestnut highlights glinting in the sunlight as I gave it a gentle shake . Brayden's lesson plan slipped from his hands and hit the floor . " May I return to my seat now ? " I smiled . In my previous life , I molded myself into that " unkempt but intellectual " bookworm just to please Carson . Thick glasses . High - necked sweaters . Permanently tight ponytail . All because he'd called it " authentic ." Tlow pathetic . I couldn't believe I wasted four prime years of my youth making a fool of myself for a man . Back at my seat , Emmett stared at me , " Clara ... are you possessed ) " Leaning close , I whispered , " I just realized no one's worth hiding my true self for . " Emmett's eyes reddened instantly . " You finally woke up from Carson's spell . " The words stabbed my heart , filling me with guilt . 1/3 Chapter 2 In my previous life , I'd distanced myself from all my friends for Carson , especially Emmett . She saw right through him from the start , but I'd called her " blind to love . " " I'm sorry . " I took her hand , my voice trembling . " For all the stupid things I did before . " Emmett held my hand back , surprisingly hard . " Welcome back , Clara ." As soon as the bell rang , the classroom exploded with chatter . Boys who'd never glanced my way swarmed over , bombarding me with questions about my " sudden enlightenment . " 55 vouchers " Clara , " Jason , the class monitor , pushed up his glasses , his face flushing . " Would you like to play the female lead in our class play next week ? " In my previous life , Sarah took that role , and Carson was the male lead . Their staged kiss on stage had me sobbing into my pillow for a whole week . " Sure ," I agreed without hesitation . " Send me the script . " , Just then , the doorway fell silent . A familiar figure stood there in a white shirt and black trousers , his strikingly handsome features unmistakable ÷ Carson , the student council president , the man I once loved desperately in my previous life . He held a notice , but his gaze locked onto me . That look - part astonishment , part hunger - was one I knew too well . The same look he'd given pretty girls at bars . " Each senior class needs to send two students to next week's ... " His voice cut off abruptly as he stared at my face . " And " Clara . " I met his gaze calmly . " We've been in the same class for two years . " The room went dead silent . come you are ... " In my previous life , everyone knew that I'd chased after Carson like some lovesick puppy , while he barely spared me a glance . Carson's expression froze . He studied me carefully , his eyes flickering with confusion , shock , and finally , smug confidence . " Clara , " he flashed that signature smile , the one that charmed countless girls . " Can we talk after school ? About the student counçi ! recruitment . In my past life , I'd applied three times just to get close to him , only to be rejected every time . Later , I found out Sarah had sabotaged me behind the scenes . " Pass , " I replied , casually tidying up my textbooks . " I'm not interested in the student council . " A few stifled gasps rippled through the classroom . Carson's smile stiffened . He probably had never been turned down before . " Maybe you don't fully understand the council's ... " " I understand perfectly , " I cut him off , locking eyes . " Especially whatever's going on between you and Sarah , the Arts Minister . " His face instantly darkened . His fling with Sarah was an open secret , but no one dared to say it out loud . 2/3 Chapter 2 " You've got it wrong ," he said , forcing himself to sound calm . " Sarah and I are just colleagues ." I let out a quiet laugh and didn't bother replying . In my previous life , I fell for his lies over and over . After an awkward pause , Carson slunk away . The moment Carson left , the classroom erupted in chaos . " Clara ! That was epic ! " Emmett practically bounced as she grabbed my arm . " Did you see Carson's face ? Priceless ! " I just smiled , saying nothing . 55 vouchers This was just the beginning , Carson . In my previous life , you destroyed me . In this one , I would make you wish you were dead . After school , I deliberately passed by the student council office . Sure enough , through the half - open door , I saw Carson arguing with Sarah . " What's the deal with Clara ? " . Sarah's voice was sharp and shrill . " You said she was ugly and stupid ! " " How was I supposed to know she'd suddenly ... " He sounded annoyed as he raked his hair . " But this makes it more fun , don't you think ? " " Carson ! " Sarah stomped her foot . " You promised you'd only like me ! " " Baby , you know I love you the most . " Carson said , putting his arm around her, " But why say no to easy girl when it comes to you for free ..." I slipped away quietly , my stomach churning . How familiar . In my previous life , I'd overheard this same conversation countless times , and each time , I chose to believe his lies . Back home , I dug out my old " Carson shrine . " A pencil he'd tossed at me once , his discarded scratch paper , even an empty water bottle he'd drunk from . Pathetic . I threw it all in the trash , then opened my laptop and searched for the top university in our province , the one I'd given up for Carson . The screen's glow lit up my face as I smiled at my reflection . This time , I would make them all pay . 3/3