The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

When Jackson spotted Monica walking up, a wave of relief washed over him—as if his big sister had swooped in to save the day.

"Hey, Monica!" he called, jogging over with those awkward little steps that always made Monica want to facepalm.

She used to joke with their mom: "Why couldn't you give me a little sister instead of this goofball?"

Monica shot him a stern look. "Could you walk like a normal person for once? Anastasia's in the car-go say hi."

Jackson turned, flashing a grin. "Hi, Anastasia!"

Anastasia hopped out, her blonde hair catching the sunlight. "Well, look at you! Even more handsome than last time."

"Don't let it go to his head," Monica teased. "His brain only works when he's buried in textbooks."

With Monica and Anastasia standing side by side, they were a knockout pair. Even Kristine, usually the queen bee around campus, suddenly faded into the background.

"Sis..." Jackson muttered, looking sheepish.

Monica didn't back down. "Go get my bag from her. And the dress, too. Oh, and my skincare stuff-there should be a couple more dresses in there. Tell her to give everything back."

Jackson hesitated. "Isn't that kind of harsh?"

Monica gave him a look but, with so many people watching, she let it slide. "Maybe next time you won't get dumped. Just bring my stuff back."

As Monica's Maybach rolled up, Kristine stared in disbelief. She didn't know much about cars, but the whispers from the crowd said it all:

"Did you see that? Jackson's sister drives a Maybach! That's worth a fortune!"

"She's richer than any of those trust fund kids Kristine chases!"

Jackson walked over, picking up the bags from the ground. "If you don't want these, Kristine, I'll just take them back."

Kristine's face twisted. "Are these all real?"

"Of course," Jackson said. "They're my sister's. She only buys the real thing. And these aren't even her best ones-she's got bags worth hundreds of thousands. I wouldn't dare touch those-she'd kill me."

Kristine wasn't letting it go. "Quit acting like you're some big shot. I know you're just a nobody from the middle of nowhere. You never denied it when I asked."

Jackson blinked. "When was that?"

The truth was, when Kristine had confronted him weeks ago, he'd been so deep in his research he barely heard her.

Kristine scowled. "Why didn't you tell me your family was rich?"

"That's family money, not mine,"

Jackson shrugged. "Kristine, I

thought you were different. /thegt

you didn't care about that stuff. Anyway, glad we're clear now."

Like Monica, Jackson knew how to move on-no drama, no grudges.

He hadn't planned to see Kristine, but Monica told him to come, so he did.

Kristine watched as Jackson

gathered up the luxury bags-each

upt

one worth more than she could ever afford. She'd believed her

Level

roommates when they said the bags were fake, especially since Jackson always seemed so frugal, eating cafeteria food and never going out. He just seemed... broke.

She had no idea he was saving all his time and energy for his studies. Jackson

was a math prodigy—-even the professors came to him for help.

As Kristine stood there, mortified, the crowd started whispering:

"Guess Kristine wasn't as clever as she thought. She let the real prize slip away chasing money."

"Yeah, some people just aren't cut out for the high life."

"Thought her looks could land her a rich boyfriend. What a joke."

"And Jackson's the real deal. Did you see that car his sister drives? Their family's loaded."

"Kristine really blew it."noveldrama

"She was blinded by greed. Jackson's a genius and a good guy. She never deserved him."

Kristine's cheeks burned as she fought back tears. She shoved through the crowd and ran back to her dorm.

Jackson got into the car with Monica and Anastasia, and they drove to a little diner just off campus.

Monica grinned. "Lunch is on me. You need cheering up after all that, and maybe a little fun after."

"I'm okay, sis," Jackson said. "I was upset before, but now it all makes sense. Besides, I've got a math class this afternoon."

Anastasia poured coffee for the table. "Monica, your brother's got your spirit. He knows when to let go."

"The only thing that could really

break his heart is math," Monica

joked. "He takes after me in another way too-way too easy to fool. The Ledford family is just too

soft-hearted."

Anastasia burst out laughing. It was true-Monica had gotten scammed out of money more than once herself. Maybe being family means sharing the same soft spots, too.