Watching Juniper lead the massive group ofputer science students into the venue, Ynda was so jealous she felt her eyes might pop out of her head.


    "Ferdinand, let''s go in too," she said.


    "Fine," Ferdinand snapped, shooting onest re at Juniper''s back.


    But as they approached, a staff member politely stopped them. “Excuse me, could you two please wait a moment?"


    "We have tickets too! Why do they get to go in first?" Ferdinand demanded, his spoiled rich-kid attitude ring up.


    "It''s not about letting them go first, sir," the staff member exined patiently, maintaining a professional smile. "This is the manual-check entrance, for VIPs only. Your tickets should be scanned at the turnstiles over there. Why are you trying to push through here?"


    At his words, both Ferdinand and Ynda looked ahead. Sure enough, they were in the wrong line.


    Theputer science students erupted inughter at the sight. One by one, they walked proudly through the VIP entrance with their chins held high.


    Ynda and Ferdinand had to miserably shuffle over to the regr line and wait under the hot sun for the security check.


    ...


    Half an hourter, Ynda and Ferdinand finally made it inside. Though their tickets were in the VIP section, their seats were in the very back. They were so far from the stage it felt like they''d need a cab to get there. To make matters worse, their seats were off to the side, and arge pir blocked most of their view. They had to crane their necks just to see the corner of the main screen.


    Looking over at Juniper''s group, they saw them all seated in the front row, dead center. It was practically like sitting in the yers''ps while theypeted.


    Ynda had nned on taking a bunch of photos to show off, but now... how could she possiblypete with Juniper''s flex?


    "Can we change seats?" Ynda asked, looking around in disgust before turning a pleading gaze on Ferdinand.


    Not wanting to lose his standing in front of Ynda, Ferdinand immediately called his father.


    "Change seats?" his father, Cassidy Malone, boomed through the phone, his voice dripping with impatience "Do you have any idea how much troublel went through to get you those two tickets You thx you ca just swap them whenever you feel like it?"


    Ferdinand was stunned into silence by the tongueshing.


    "And you want front-row seats?" Cassidy''s voice grew even sterner. "I specifically


    asked about those. They''re reserved for major figures, people way out of our


    league. Don''t even dream about it."


    по


    "By the way," Cassidy''s tone shifted, bing lower and more conspiratorial you''re there now right? Take a look at who''s in the front row. See if there''s anyone our family couldwork with


    Ferdinand''s gaze drifted to the front row, where staff members were bustling about, serving fruit and snacks to theputer science students, who were all happily munching away.


    "No one," Ferdinand said sullenly, and hung up.


    Ynda said nothing more. She had overheard the entire conversation. She''d thought the Malone family had some pull but it turned out they couldot even handle something this small. They were a far cry from a family like the Lonsdales.


    Whatever, she thought. After thispetition, she''d make sure to keep her distance


    from Ferdinand and not get tangled up with him.


    ...


    Before the match officially began, Juniper said a few words to Hattie and got up to use the restroom.


    "Ms. Payne, this way please," the event manager intercepted her, leading her backstage. "The restrooms back here are cleaner."


    “Thank you,” Juniper said with a polite nod.


    “Not at all!” The manager''s face was practically frozen in a smile, his attitude almost excessively amodating. “If you need anything, please just let me know.”