I woke up feeling heavier than usual, my head pounding in slow, painful pulses. Even opening my eyes felt like work. It had been a long night, the kind that lingers in your bones the next morning.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty."
Sophia's voice pulled me fully awake.
She stood in front of the mirror, a pink towel wrapped around her body, probably from one of her ambassador deals. I watched her for a moment as she applied her skincare with careful precision. Just watching her made me feel like buying everything she used.
"Where are you going this early?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
Sophia gave me a look, and that's when it hit me.
It wasn't early.
We had a morning class.
I turned quickly to the clock above our door. 7:28 a.m.
"Oh my God, Sophia! You should have woken me earlier!"
I jumped out of bed, slipped into my flip-flops, and rushed straight into the bathroom. I heard her say something about not wanting to disturb me, and honestly, I understood. I hadn't slept early anyway.
By the time I was done, Sophia was already dressed.
She wore a floral sundress with a slit up her thigh. It looked beautiful on her. Her hair was packed into a sleek ponytail that gave her a natural face lift.
Sophia was studying Cosmetology, while I was in Business Administration. But as first-year students, we all had Marketing together, and that was our first class.
"I would have thought you'd study medicine or law," she said casually.
I just smiled.
With a gynecologist for a mother and a serial entrepreneur for a father, people always expected something more "prestigious" from me. But all I wanted was to build my own bag brand someday.
That was why I chose Business Administration.
I had planned to wear a two-piece outfit, but seeing Sophia made me change my mind.
I pulled out a short, flared blue dress from my box. It was new, picked by my mom, with patterns that gave off a soft floral illusion.
"Help me zip this," I said, walking over to her.
She stood up and zipped it up for me.
"Do you have plans of getting a man today?" she asked.
I blinked. "What?"
"This dress is hot, Emily. Like really hot."
I laughed. "I'm just going to class, Sophie."
I had braided my hair before coming to school so I could style it easily. My mom always said I looked better in braids, and I loved them too.
I packed it into a low bun, leaving a few strands in front. Then I applied my lip gloss. One thing you would never see me without.
I picked up my white Chanel bag, big enough for my books, power bank, and snacks. I wasn't about to go hungry during lectures.
"Let's go, Sophie. I'm ready."
I turned back and saw her lying on the bed with her eyes closed.
"Oh, you're sleeping already? I guess I'll just go without you."
"You dare not."
She jumped up immediately, and we both burst out laughing.
As we stepped out, I immediately noticed the difference.
The dorm was now filled with students.
As we walked, I could feel eyes on us. Some greeted Sophia. She responded to a few and ignored others. One thing I had noticed about her was that she wasn't fake.
Some looks weren't friendly. Smirks. Silent judgments.
But I didn't care.
Growing up, I had always been judged for being from a wealthy home. People competing with me for no reason.
What I never understood was why people hate what they pray for.
The lecture hall was already filled with students. It was spacious and well ventilated, with air conditioners running quietly. Each student had their own seat.
I spotted two empty seats in the fifth row and signaled Sophia.
As we walked toward them, I felt it again.
Eyes.
Too many eyes.
"Wow, Sophia, who is this hot girl beside you? Lovely dress, by the way."
I turned slightly.
"Oh, Emily, meet my guy Maxwell," Sophia said. "A crazy friend of mine. He's retaking this course because he refused to read."
Maxwell looked exactly like that description.
Both ears pierced, deep red tinted hair, and braces. Not too tall, not too short. But he looked good. Clean.
"I do study," he said. "I just party more."
We laughed.
He was easy to talk to, and I found out he was my senior colleague.
"Welcome to Business Admin, cutie. I'll be seeing you around more often," he added.
We settled into our seats, and I asked Sophie how she met him.
She explained that she found him wasted at a birthday party and took care of him. They had been friends ever since. She also said he had just the right amount of craziness needed for this school.
In less than a few minutes, the lecturer walked in, a well-dressed middle-aged woman. The moment she returned our greetings, I could already tell she was eloquent.
"Let's just say we're lucky we got here before her," Sophia whispered.
I understood immediately. Walking into this class late would have been terrifying.
The class lasted two long hours in complete silence. It was obvious Mrs. Ann was a no-nonsense woman.
She taught well, though, constantly throwing random questions across the room. I found myself silently praying not to be picked. I hadn't prepared for that at all.
During the class, I noticed Sophia wasn't really paying attention. I couldn't blame her. This wasn't new to her.
After the class, as we packed our bags, I decided to ask:
"Do you regret it? Being behind and starting again with new people?"
She shrugged. "Feel bad? Maybe. Regret? Never. I made money. And if I see a better offer, I'll leave again. All I know is I'll get my degree. It doesn't matter when."
I admired that.
We left the hall quickly, not interested in staying back.
On our way to the dorm, someone stopped Sophia.
"Prof. Stephen wants to see you."
She sighed. "Go ahead without me. It might take a while."
I nodded and continued alone.
I was tired and hungry. I hadn't even eaten my snacks.
The dorm was quiet.
Empty.
I didn't think much of it.
I opened my door and stepped in, letting out a small breath.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then my eyes adjusted.
And I saw him.
Sitting on my bed.
Not just sitting… relaxed. Like he belonged there.
Like I didn't.
My breath caught.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Welcome," he said calmly. "How was your lecture today?"
Okay.
I've had enough.