The Mysterious Call That Saved My Life

On the day college applications were due, I got a call from a number I didn't know.

"Don't go to Ashford! Your boyfriend has contacts there. He'll steal your research and use it to make your best friend look good."

"You'll be accused of plagiarism. Not just expelled — you'll go to prison!"

"Go to Brenton instead. Its ranking is lower than Ashford's, but your program there will become the best in the country."

I asked warily, "Who is this?"

The line clicked and went dead.

On my phone, a message from Stewart Henson was blinking.