Episode: 3
Summer Hartley wins a beauty pageant, but students assume she skipped orientation because of her appearance. She reaches her dorm and opens Campus Whisper. Ethan Cross posts her old heavy picture and claims she attempted to con him. Ethan locks replies when Summer tries to respond. Her picture leads a cruel Campus Queen poll. Then, a new comment announces that Summer is dating campus heir Evan Hawthorne online.
Summer receives the beauty pageant crown. Back at Ashford, students notice her empty seat during orientation week. The classmates assume her absence means she looks too ugly to face everyone in person.
Summer walks into her dorm room carrying her bags. She sits down, pulls out her phone, and logs onto the school's anonymous discussion board, Campus Whisper, to see what people are saying.
A post showing Summer's former two-hundred-pound image spreads across the Ashford campus. Ethan Cross leaves a comment claiming she tried to manipulate his heart and wallet. Other students join in with harsh remarks.
Summer attempts to write a rebuttal on the forum. Ethan has restricted replies so only he can post. She discovers her old photograph entered into a mock Campus Queen contest, where it takes first place.
Students walk outside at night while reading their phones. A fresh message exposes Summer as the online girlfriend of Evan Hawthorne, Ashford's prominent family heir. The revelation leaves the entire campus shocked and buzzing.
“I can confirm this is true. She almost scammed me for my feelings and money. Online dating is risky. Stay safe, boys.”
“Oh my god, is this Evan's online girlfriend? So this is what his sweetheart looks like?”
“Evan, the heir to the Hawthorn families? Every competition, every girl is crazy about him, and he needs to date online? And he got catfished?”
Students stand on the walkway at night, completely stunned by the news linking Summer to Evan Hawthorne. They eagerly share the gossip, buzzing over the idea that Ashford's wealthy golden boy got duped by a catfish. How will Evan react once he discovers the malicious forum thread targeting his online girlfriend?