Ashton was a ball of purely condensed sunshine at school on Monday. He smiled at everybody on his way to his class. He kept picturing how he would be showing his family his scholarship. His mom would be so proud. Maybe she might even call his dad and tell him how smart and wonderful his son was.

He giggled into his hand. Luke heard and smiled. He walked over. "What's maing you so happy today? I mean, besides me?"

"I turned in my paper this morning and they're gunna read off the winner of the scholarship contest this hour!" Ashton kicked his legs excitedly. "I'm so happy, I know I'm gunna win."

"Celebratory sex at my place!" Luke whoop'ed.

"Hemmings! Take your seat already." The teacher snapped and Luke quickly sat.

Fifteen minutes into class, the overhead announcements came on.

"Good morning Ocean Bay students! As you all know, I have in my hand, the name of the winner of the scholarship contest. I know you're all anxious to know who won, so I'll get straight to it." There was the sound of paper being unfolded, and then the principal cleared his throat.

"And the winner is..."

Ashton bit his lip to hide his smile while Luke boredly doodled on the desk.

"Luke Hemmings!"

The pencil snapped in half.

Ashton gasped and whipped around to Luke, who looked like he had just been frozen in time.

"What?" Ashton cried. "Impossible! You didn't even submit!"

"Doing a research essay on yourself? Brilliant, Mr. Hemmings." The principal continued. "Please come to the main office to collect your prize."

"Oh my God..." Ashton buried his face in his hands. "Please tell me I didn't..."

"Um, Ash?" Luke asked, playing with his fingers timidly.

"Did I seriously..."

"Ashton?"

"Put his name on the essay instead of mine?" Ashton cried out.

"Ash?" Luke whispered.

"What?" Ashton shouted angrily.

"What do we do?" Luke whispered frantically.

"Lucas? What are you doing? Get to the office!" The teacher said.

"But-"

"Don't wait another second, mister!" She shoo'ed him out.

Ashton slammed his head on his desk. "That should've been me!"

-

Ashton had never been more furious in his life.

All day, he snapped at everyone and gave out an attitude no one had ever seen from him before. He saw red on the edge of his vision.

Deep down, he knew it was his own fault for putting Luke's name on the paper. He had just been so used to doing Luke's work for so long that it was just habit now.

He knew Luke was the real victim here, but Ashton still wanted to punch him.

At the end of the day, Ashton was to enraged to do anything but storm to the main office. He threw the door open to the principal's office and saw Luke, his parents and the principal there.

"You. Me. Meeting. Now." Ashton growled. He grabbed a stunned Luke by the shirt and hauled him to his feet, dragging him out of the room.

Keegon nudged Aiva. "Told you he has a dominant side."

She waved him off. "Psh."

Outside, Ashton slammed Luke against the wall. "You stole my free scholarship!"

Luke held his hands up in surrender and winced in pain. "No I didn't! It was your own fault for putting my name on it!"

"Well you didn't exactly start telling everyone the real situation either." Ashton seethed.

"I know, I just wanted people to think I was smart for once." Luke mumbled.

Ashton sighed. "Let's just tell them what happened."

"We can't!" Luke gasped and grabbed Ashton's arm. "If you tell them why, then they will know about us! We'll get expelled!"

"No, only you will get expelled. I'll be going to Harvard." Ashton shook him off.

"I'll get sent to that snotty private school!" Luke cried. "Please Ashton, you can't do this to me!"

"It's not your decision." Ashton snapped.

"But do you even know what you're choosing between?" Luke asked tearfully. "You're choosing between a scholarship, and me."

Ashton stopped outside the door, his hand on the knob.

"Scholarship, or being my nerd."

Ashton bit his lip and turned it.

"Scholarship, or my freedom." Luke pleaded.

Ashton sighed. After a moment's thought, he knew what he had to choose.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.