Chapter 71

Zoey draped an arm around Allison’s shoulders. “This was Josie’s idea. Don’t you remember? Josie said she wanted to make Natalie sick to her stomach.”

“Of course I remember. Josie also said she’d dig up evidence of Natalie’s plagiarism!” Allison said, waving her fist angrily.

Josie smiled, her face bright. “It’s almost time. I believe we’ll find out the truth very soon!”

Allison asked, showing her phone to the others, “So what’s our next move? This is trending already. People are already starting to dig up info on the users who spread those rumors.”

“I bet it won’t be long before someone finds out they’re all just paid posters, right?”

Josie nodded. “Once the posts exposing the paid posters come out, help me find someone with a way with words to write up an analysis post.”

“You mean, have someone break down who actually benefits from all this drama?” Adeline Nicholson leaned in.

Josie nodded again. “Exactly. Think about it—once Natalie’s plagiarism scandal goes viral, what happens next? And those posts accusing me of misconduct a while back—who actually got affected by them?”

“Wait, that doesn’t add up!” Adeline frowned, still confused. “We could’ve posted a clarification online before, so why wait until now?”

Zoey smiled. “Because back then, we were just guessing that those posts smearing Josie were Natalie’s doing. Plus, the posts got deleted so fast, we had nothing to prove it.”

“So you guys actually have proof now? Those posts trashing Josie—were those people really hired by Natalie?” Allison asked, gritting her teeth in frustration.

Zoey smiled mysteriously. “You’ll know everything tomorrow. Anyway, it’s late. Let’s all hit the sack. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it in the morning.”

No matter how much Allison tried to pry, Zoey wouldn’t spill another word.

Allison, fuming, threw herself onto her bed. “Wow, you two have only been hanging out together for a few days, but now, you’re already keeping secrets from us!”

Josie couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated. After getting ready and climbing into bed, she tried to comfort Allison in a gentle voice.

Josie said softly, “It’s not like we’re hiding anything. The outcome isn’t up to us. We’re waiting for the results, too. We’ll only know tomorrow.”

Even though they were pretty sure the people spreading rumors about Natalie and those slandering Josie were from the same group, without solid proof, nobody could accuse them yet.

Allison’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Wait, did you guys rope in some computer genius? Who is it? Is it someone we know?”

Adeline glanced over at them too.

“You totally know him,” Zoey said with a sly smile, “It’s the campus heartthrob. Bet you didn’t see that coming, right?”

“No way!” Allison exclaimed.

Allison practically squealed, “It’s really Colby Clem? You guys actually met him in person? He’s the computer whiz who is helping you dig into those posts? Is this fate or what? The campus belle and the campus heartthrob together!”

Adeline was just as excited. After all, the campus heartthrob had been voted in by all the girls on campus. They’d also voted for him.

“Cut it out. Lights out, everyone!” Zoey’s face flushed as she turned and climbed into bed, reaching up to switch off the lights.

Adeline turned over and climbed into bed too.

“Allison’s not wrong, though,” Adeline said, “The campus belle and the campus heartthrob are a match made in heaven. I think he’s way better than that Aiden. Just think about it.”

“Adeline!” Zoey exclaimed, burying her head under the covers.

Allison chimed in, “I think Adeline’s got a point!”

Seeing that everyone was on the same page, Zoey, though flustered and shy, didn’t seem to mind too much. This made Josie breathe a small sigh of relief.

No matter what Zoey felt for Colby, as long as she stopped having feelings for Aiden, that was definitely a good thing.

Josie lay flat on her bed and let her eyes drift shut.

Tomorrow would be her first real battle against Natalie since she had time-traveled. No matter what, she couldn’t afford to lose.

She had to get a good night’s rest and be at her best.

She slept soundly through the night. As soon as she opened her eyes the next morning, she reached for her phone.

Under the comparison post Zoey had someone put up last night, the comments had already blown past ten thousand.

Josie thought she must be seeing things, so she rubbed her eyes and checked again. The number was still climbing.

On top of that, the identities of the users who spread rumors about Natalie’s plagiarism and accused her of misconduct had already been dug up and exposed.