The SATs and the Scapegoat

“My world revolved around Ethan. I helped him with everything: applications, essays, test prep - pouring my all into his Harvard dreams. Then, strange, white "pop-up comments" started appearing in my vision, framing my life like a game, and labeling me the "main girl" in his story. Suddenly, Ethan was obsessed with Chloe, a high school junior, talking about dropping out of Harvard for her. He kept asking me to do things for Chloe, demanding exclusive SAT materials and "brain-food" smoothies, even blaming me when she struggled. I heard him tell his mom he'd "ace these SATs" and get back into Harvard, bringing Chloe too, as if I was just a tool in his grand plan. He was throwing away everything we built, all for a girl who publicly dismissed me as his "old girlfriend" from a "state school." When he brazenly texted me to make new advanced math questions for Chloe, saying it was "my fault for not helping her more," a cold rage settled in. My efforts, my sacrifices, my very identity, felt completely erased, all for his selfish pursuit of someone else. The final straw came when he went missing after his SATs, only to emerge, drunk, blaming me for breaking up with him right before his big exam. He wanted me to fix his life, to appeal his scores, even after he' d emotionally exploited me for years. But then I met Alex, a kind, understanding presence who actually listened and cherished me. I blocked Ethan, choosing to write my own story. This time, my life was the main event.”