I was in a place... a very dark, cold and lonely place.

I wandered around not knowing where was I going. As I walk, a loud shout came suddenly, making me startled for a moment. I'm really scared and almost went crazy, I scream for help hoping there's someone there but there's nothing. I continue my walk and tried to find an exit, but no matter how much I walk, I only find myself walking in an endless abyss.

'I'm scared, help me, I wanna go home.' I sobbed

I wanted to cry, but no tears are coming out.

Then, I remembered that I went to bed after having lunch with my grandma. 'Could it be I'm dreaming'

When I came into realization, I hurriedly pinch myself. "it doesn't hurt...? Then am I lucid dreaming right now?" As I was loss in thought, I suddenly heard again the shout.

'Again' I said with fear, I know that this is a dream but it's still gives me the creep. But since I can't continue being afraid, I gathered my courage and tried to search where the voice came from.

As I walk, a silhouette can be seen from afar. I tried to be closer and saw not only one person but three.

But a certain someone caught my attention.

She was sitting on her knees, begging and crying talking to someone. But the two person can't be seen because it's dark so I take a closer look and there I saw a tall figure. I was mesmerized upon seeing the guy.

' A boy? No I think it's an adult person'.

His hair is as black as the night and has a sharp and beautiful amber eyes that almost glows in the dark.

Beside him there's a beautiful blond girl with emerald-like eyes. They look... perfect together.

As I take a closer look at the them, I noticed the tense atmosphere. The man stared down at the woman sitting at the ground with a cold look on his face. I was scared when I look at the man. I could see hatred and disgust judging from his expression.

'I wonder what did the woman do to be hated by that guy, his hatred can be seen, even an idiot can tell...'

I got curious as what is happening, so since they don't give a f*ck in me standing closely to them, I shamelessly got close to eavesdrops in their conversation. ''That's weird'' I said while troubled, confused as why I can't hear them despite being close, that's really weird, but just now I could hear the shouting, so why? "Is there something wrong with my hearing, or maybe... is it because I'm dreaming?" I pondered.

I just watch on the sideline as their fight continue, to be honest I really pity the woman as she desperately clung to the guy. Her disheveled hair hides her face so I can't really see her face clearly, but I can tell that she is crying.

I couldn't careless since they treated me like I'm invisible so I went to their side.

"Wow, am I really invisible to them".

Then my curiosity got me, 'maybe I can now see her face'. I got closer to the woman as it's very hard to see in dark and also to have a better view.

But... When she lift up her face, I was shocked and my body flinch at the sight of her, I could not believe of what I was seeing. My body trembled as I ask 'How?' and 'Why?'.

"Wh... Why...?"

"Why... do you have my face..."

Thud!·—"Ouch! "

"Ouch—3x!! my head..." I groaned in pain.

I was half-awake and wanted to sleep more but when I took a glanced at the clock—it was already 7:00 A.M. Then a sudden realization hit me.

Today is my first day in College...! I panicked and hastily changed my clothes and rushed to school without eating breakfast.

"Sh*t! I'm late! I can't be late on my first day or else uncle will scold me if he finds out!"

I exclaimed with a helpless and panicked look.

I grabbed my bike and crazily drive to school as if my life is dependent on it.

FYI, my uncle is a professor at the College where I will be attending from now on.

My name is Elysia, but they call me Sia, and I'm an orphan, I don't have any memory of my parents because they died on car accident when I was 1 year old. I never felt alone because I have my grandma and uncle. Grandma took me in when my parents died and I'm grateful for that.

They raised me with care and kindness, always there for me when I needed them.

And also, though I love my uncle, he could be quite scary when he was strict. He was like a father to me and I have a deep respect for him.

I moved out from my grandma's house recently because of College. Although uncle suggested I move into his apartment, I declined because I wanted to be independent.

And what if he gets a girlfriend later on? That would be awkward.

I arrived at school and fortunately, I wasn't late. I sighed with relief. As I looked for a seat, I felt very nervous because I saw many unfamiliar faces, none of whom were familiar to me.

I composed myself and was about to take my seat when I heard a familiar voice that shouted my name.

Having heard my name called, I immediately turned around and was delighted to see my my bestfriend.

"Cyril! You're also going to study here?!" I said with excitement.

"Yeah"

I was happy that my one and only bestfriend and I will be studying in the same College.

"But why didn't you tell me?" I said to her with annoyance.

"I didn't pass the entrance exam in my dream school, that's why."

"Tsk! I'm disappointed"

"On what? Because I didn't pass or because this college isn't my second option?"

"..."

"You...!"

"Pft! Hahaha....!"

"Hahaha"

We both laugh.

As we were chatting, the professor walks in, so we quickly stop and settle into our seats.

It's really starting. The professor stands at the front and starts calling out the attendance. When my name is called, I raised my hand.

"Oh dear, it's the first day of school, and there are already quite a few students arriving late. Should I start deducting points on this people?"

I shudder at the professor's words, remembering how close I was to being one of them. It looks like she's pretty strict.

What rotten luck that she's my first class professor, especially since I tend to be late to my first classes, even back in high school.

"Sia, you really need to start waking up earlier. You always run late in your every first classes."

Cyril whispered to me, seemingly worried for my sake.

"You don't have to say that... I know." I smiled at her, but inside, I was already crying in fear of our teacher.

Murmurs filled the room after the professor’s statement, and it seemed like everyone else was just as surprised.

The murmurs grew louder, but they were cut short when the professor slammed her hand on the desk, instantly drawing all attention to her.

"Let's start with our classes now."

‘My goodness, this person is really strict.’

"I'm scared..."

My bestfriend clung to me as she trembles. The professor opened the book and said to the class...

“Get your books and open to page eighteen—”

“Sorry I’m late.”

A sudden deep, hoarse voice cut through the room, silencing the low chatter as heads turned in unison toward the door.

A tall, striking guy with tousled black hair stood in the doorway, looking completely unfazed. The girls around me instantly perked up, and soft squeals echoed through the class.

“Eeek! Who is he? He’s so freaking handsome!”

“I’m glad I enrolled here!” someone whispered breathlessly.

Of course, my best friend was no exception. Her eyes sparkled as she shook me so hard I nearly fell out of my chair, my head spinning. But then—

BANG!

The room fell silent as our professor slammed her book onto the desk, she glared as if saying ‘you're all too noisy.’

She later on turned her icy stare toward the guy.

“Don’t just stand there. Find a seat so we can start.”

The professor spoke in a cold tone before returning her gaze to the book.

Without a word, the guy strode into the room. The girls looked expectantly, hoping he would sit beside them. Some even started to push away their seatmates, while others boldly offered him a seat next to them.

'Seriously? They're that desperate?' I rolled my eyes.

Sure, he’s handsome and all, but what's the big deal?

I decided to ignore them and instead took out my book and pen to take notes from today's lesson. As I was just about to open my book, I felt someone’s presence beside me. I glanced up, and my heart nearly stopped.

'You’ve got to be kidding me!'

It was him.

'What the hell is he doing here?!'

“This seat’s free, right?”

He spoke, looking right at me with a steady gaze.

I blinked, completely thrown off.

Murmurs buzzed around the room, and I could practically feel the daggers being thrown at me by the girls.

'Of all the vacant seats in the room, you pick this one at the back? Seriously?!'

Before I could say anything, my best friend, still starstruck, chimed in. “Y-Yes! It’s free. All yours!”

I shot her a bewildered look. 'Girl, are you kidding me right now?'

But it was already too late. He sat down.

“Thanks.”

'Great. Just great.'

The glares from around the room sharpened, and I could almost feel the heat of their jealousy burning holes into my back.

F*ck...

An hour was almost up, and freedom was so close I could taste it. I just had to survive a few more minutes of this class, then I could finally escape the perilous situation I found myself in.

I was ready to bolt and had already packed my stuff when the teacher, bless her soul, dropped a bombshell that shattered my sweet, sweet escape plans.

“I know this is your first day in college, but that doesn’t mean I won’t assign you work. I’m giving you an assignment, and since it’s the first day, you’ll partner with your seatmate. Got it? That’s all.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt my heart sink right into my shoes. The last thing I needed was to be partnered up with someone I barely knew—especially not the guy sitting next to me, who was practically a magnet for attention.

A shiver ran down my spine as the air seemed to thicken with an icy tension.

When I glanced around, I was met with a sea of glaring eyes, each pair burning with a mix of jealousy and anger. It felt like their stares could pierce right through me, and the tension was almost suffocating.

Their expressions were a blend of clenched jaws and narrowed eyes, some girls crossing their arms as if to restrain themselves from lunging forward.

Others exchanged sharp whispers, their voices laced with irritation, while a few looked like they were barely holding back sneers. The whole room felt like a storm was brewing, and I was stuck right in the eye of it, facing the wrath of girls who seemed ready to pounce at any moment.

‘Ugh… Why? I didn’t even do anything wrong!’

I glanced at the professor one last time, hoping to say something, but before I could even open my mouth, she was already out the door, leaving me stranded in this hostile situation.

‘No! Ma’am! Don't leave, give us all the assignments you want, but why do our partners have to be our seatmates?!’

I shot a glance to my right and there he was—the guy who seemed to exude effortless charm with that laid-back expression. He was the type who could make heads turn just by breathing, and I had a sinking feeling his popularity came with a hoard of admirers.

He wasn’t just honey; he was like a whole flower garden attracting swarms of bees! And I was about to be right in the middle of it.

I could already picture the chaos. The girls would swarm around him like bees around a flower, each vying for his attention while I stood there like a complete outsider.

And let’s be real, I wasn’t looking to get stung by any stingers today. The thought of becoming the unwanted third wheel in this social circus made my skin crawl. Why was this happening to me?

‘What kind of luck is this?’

“Oh my... I’m so jealous,” Cyril whispered, leaning in with a mischievous grin.

“Getting a hot, ha~ndsome partner on the first day? What a blessing...!”

‘Blessing? Are you kidding me? My life expectancy just shortened because of this assignment, and you’re calling it a blessing?!’

I shot her an annoyed look, and she quickly backed off, hands up in mock surrender.

“O-Oh dear, would you look at the time? I, uh, need to rush to my next class...”

Under my death glare, she slinked away, mumbling excuses I could see right through.

‘Next class? We only have one class this morning, you liar!’

She hurried out of the room without looking back, leaving me behind.

I felt utterly betrayed—how could she just abandon me, surrounded by this swarm of jealous girls?

As a few students left, some girls stayed behind, still eyeing us with curious, lingering glances.

With others already leaving, I decided to make leave too. I grabbed my bag, took one last look at my so-called "partner," and headed for the door.