Overnight, M''s reputation in the tutoring world was utterly destroyed-everyone was talking, everyone was condemning her.


    On a blisteringly hot summer day, M sat in the police station, repeating over and over that she hadn''t stolen anything and hadn''tid a hand on the child. Her voice was raw, her lips cracked and peeling from dehydration, and sweat beaded across her skin despite the air conditioning. She was trembling uncontrobly, unable to keep herposure in the face of such humiliation.


    In the end, with no evidence to prove she''d stolen or hurt anyone, the police couldn''t detain her. But the scandal had already spread. She''d technically bent a few rules, so every cent she''d earned from tutoring was reimed, and on top of that, she was pped with a hefty fine.


    A call from her university came next-a stern warning: she was forbidden from tutoring ever again.


    In a single night, she went from having a modest savings to being t broke, even owing money she didn''t have.


    It was her best friend, Miranda Wayne, who finally got the call. Miranda rushed down to the station, paid the rest of M''s fine, and got her released.


    Outside, the city was alive with summer noise-kids begging their parents for ice cream or toys, adults pretending to protest but giving in,ughter and chatter everywhere. To M, it all felt impossibly distant, like the happy scenes belonged to another world.


    For a moment, she honestly wondered if she could go on. The thought flickered in her mind—what was the point of trying anymore?


    "M?"


    Just then, when despair threatened to swallow her whole, a warm hand sped her ice-cold fingers. Miranda''s eyes were full of worry as she looked at M, who was silently crying.


    Through her tears, M choked out, "Miranda, it''s just so hard..."


    All she''d ever wanted was a simple, honest life-nothing special, nothing ambitious, just a little bit of peace. Why was that so impossible?


    Miranda''s own tears spilled over. Right there on the busy street, she pulled M into a fierce embrace, holding her like she could keep her from falling apart.


    "Don''t be afraid. I''m here. I''m not going anywhere," Miranda whispered, again and again, as if trying to pull M back from the edge.


    M clung to her friend''s warmth, biting her lip, and finally broke down in quiet sobs that soon turned into gut-wrenching cries. She didn''t care who saw; Miranda just held her tighter.


    In that moment, M found a little piece of salvation. She realized she still wasn''t ready to give up on this world, not while there was even a scrap of kindness left for her.


    It didn''t take M long to pull herself together. She''d grown up in a loveless home, so despair wasn''t new to her. Each time life knocked her down, she''d gotten back up-stronger every time.


    This time would be no different. She was sure of it. As long as she could draw breath, she would start over.


    Back in their dorm room, M nced at Miranda apologetically. "I promise I''ll pay you back. Every penny."


    Miranda was the best friend she''d ever had-genuine, loyal, the kind of person you rarely meet. M valued their friendship too much to ever take advantage of it, so she almost never asked Miranda for help, especially not money.


    But this time was different.


    Miranda just grinned and pped her on the shoulder. "Hey, don''t stress! That''s what best friends are for. Of course, you''ll have to pay me back-no interest, though. Just remember me when you''re rich and famous, okay? Take me out for a beer and some barbecue!"


    Hearing this, M finally breathed easier. Miranda always knew how to protect that tiny scrap of dignity M was clinging to. Honestly, Miranda probably believed in her more than M believed in herself.


    M hugged Miranda tightly, nuzzling into her neck until Miranda burst outughing and hugged her back.


    Theirughter was warm and bright, a little patch of sunlight in the middle of a hard summer.


    Later, M received a text from an unknown number. She knew it was from Lysander Montgomery-his way of trying to make her give in, trying to buy her affection. She blocked him without hesitation.


    Miranda paid her next semester''s tuition and even transferred her five thousand for living expenses, urging her to use it without worry and pay her back whenever she could. "Just don''t forget me when you make it big," Miranda teased.


    M didn''t say thank you again. She just hugged Miranda hard and epted the help. She needed it now more than ever.


    Sometimes, M thought maybe fate hadn''tpletely abandoned her—after all, it kept sending her good people, just when she needed them most.