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The four friends were groggily having breakfast, having stayed up late the previous night. After watching the live broadcast, Alexa had spent three hours convincing them that the trending topics were blown out of proportion. As a result, they ended up going to bed well past midnight. Now, they were trying to make it to their university, with Chloe heading off with Julie and Danelly tagging along with Alexa, since they shared the same department.

“Why did you drag me to the library?” Alexa asked, nudging Danelly, who was peering around the room like a secret agent.

“Tch! Just be quiet. I’m trying to spot him,” she replied, her face hidden behind a book she was holding upside down. Alexa sighed and took a seat near the bookshelf, pulling out his laptop to work on his assignment.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pinch on his waist. “Ouch!” He yelped, turning to see Danelly's face lit up with excitement. “They’re coming... he’s coming...!” she whispered urgently.

Alexa gave a strained, awkward smile while enduring the pain. Four of the most stylishly intimidating students he had ever seen approached and sat down at the table next to them. Danelly eagerly pulled Alexa up, insisting he sit next to her.

“Sit properly!” he scolded her, trying to focus on his work. Danelly pouted and gave him a playful middle finger, which he ignored.

“Who are these people, anyway?” Alexa asked, curious.

Danelly’s face flushed with excitement. She gestured for Alexa to lean in closer. “They’re seniors from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science except for that long hair guy he's from Faculty of Law. They’re the smartest in the whole university! Top 10 best students!”

She pointed out each one: “That girl with glasses is Ari Nashimura, her friend is Han Cheayoung, and the guy with long hair is Darren Qi. But the star of the show is my ice prince, Jareth Jaxon—he’s mixed blood.” As she spoke, Danelly’s face turned even redder.

Alexa glanced over at Jareth, who was dramatically removing his blazer and rolling up his sleeves to reveal impressively muscular arms. Alexa watched enviously; he missed his old, muscular body and felt his current form was too delicate. Jareth then took off his necktie and unbuttoned three shirt buttons, revealing a very tempting strong chest.

“It’s so hot,” Jareth said, looking annoyed.

“Our city hasn’t had rain in a week. Of course, it’s hot,” Darren replied, also taking off his blazer with a flourish.

“Yeah, even this cold library feels like a sauna. We were outside for just a few minutes and felt like we were burning alive,” Cheayoung chimed in, wiping sweat from her brow.

“Are you okay...?” Ari finally spoke, glancing over at their table. The group’s reaction made Alexa turn around, only to find Danelly with a nosebleed, her face beet red and her eyes glazed over.

“Danelly!” Alexa exclaimed, pulling her by the hand and dragging her towards the restroom with as much dignity as he could muster.

As they hurried away, he could hear Cheayoung laughing, “Looks like that junior fan girl mode has some serious side effects!”

Alexa, blushing with embarrassment, hurriedly escorted Danelly to the restroom, all while internally berating himself for the day’s unexpected turn of events.

“Go wash your face!” Alexa pushed Danelly into the restroom with an urgency that suggested he might spontaneously combust if he stayed in the library any longer. Danelly shot him an angry glare before reluctantly shuffling into the restroom. Alexa, feeling the heat of the moment, leaned against the wall next to the door and covered his face in exasperation.

“Hi! You’re Alexa, right?” a cheerful voice broke through his self-imposed misery. Alexa’s head shot up, and he was dumbstruck to see his girlfriend standing right in front of him. If he hadn’t been reminded of his transmigration, he would’ve pulled her into a warm embrace, missing her dearly.

“Would you sign this for me?” she asked excitedly, thrusting a piece of paper toward him. Alexa awkwardly signed his name, struggling to process his emotions.

“What... is this for?” he stuttered.

“I’m a freshman. We need signatures for orientation week!” she explained, her face beaming with excitement.

“Ohh... Good luck!” Alexa cheered her on with a thumbs-up, trying to ignore how much he missed her. She waved enthusiastically and dashed back to her friends.

“Hey... I didn’t know you were into girls,” Danelly remarked, tapping Alexa’s shoulder as she emerged from the restroom.

“Is it so strange that I’m straight?” Alexa retorted sassily, rolling his eyes. They both walked back to their table, where Cheayoung was the first to approach them.

“Are you okay? Here, have some water,” Cheayoung said, handing Danelly a bottle of water. Danelly clutched it like it was the Holy Grail, her previous distress forgotten in her gratitude. Cheayoung’s sweet smile only added to the charm.

“Hey kid, stay healthy,” Jareth said with a dismissive glance before following his friends.

Danelly, still flustered, attempted to hit Alexa out of sheer excitement, but he deftly caught her hand. “You did it again. You’re no longer my friend,” he warned her with mock severity.

Ignoring his threat, Danelly savored the precious water like it was liquid gold. “Let’s go home. It’s getting late. It’s already four fifty,” Alexa said, glancing at the clock.

They left the library, with Danelly still raving about her celebrity crush and Alexa trying to focus on the relief of having survived the day’s embarrassing moments.

Alexa lounged on his bed, scrolling through social media with a lazy grin. He was pleasantly surprised by the flood of supportive comments and fanfare from the juniors, even though there were some detractors. Lost in the sea of online praise, he barely noticed when his phone rang.

"Hey, what’s up?" he answered, still smiling.

"How’s it going?" Bryan’s voice came through the line, and they both burst into laughter.

"So, I see you’ve become quite the celebrity. Got yourself a fan club now," Bryan teased.

Alexa sighed, pretending to be annoyed. "Bryan, did you bribe the juniors? Because of your wild idea, now everyone thinks we’re dating!"

Bryan’s laughter echoed through the phone. "Well, it worked, didn’t it? At least people aren’t badmouthing you anymore. If we didn’t do this, those crazies would have kept following and bullying you. Now they’re scared of me."

Despite Bryan’s logic, Alexa felt uncomfortable. They were both straight, and the idea of people thinking otherwise felt off. "FYI, I have self-respect, okay? I’m not as shameless as you."

Bryan chuckled. "Why do you sound like you’ve been wronged? Come on, bro, it’s not like I actually kissed you. We were just acting. Besides, we don’t have feelings for each other... Or do you?"

Annoyed by Bryan’s flippant response, Alexa abruptly ended the call, throwing his phone onto the bed and punching his pillow in frustration. He silently cursed Bryan, feeling both exasperated and oddly flattered.

A few minutes later, a knock on the bedroom door interrupted his brooding.

“Come in!” Alexa shouted, a bit louder than intended.

Julie entered, plopping down in the chair across from him with a serious look on her face. Alexa, puzzled by her sudden visit, asked, "Why are you here?"

"I need to confirm something," Julie said, her eyes locking onto his with an intense gaze. Alexa’s heart raced, and he felt a sudden weight in his chest. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was about to reveal, his breath growing uneven.

"You're different from the Alexa I used to know," Julie finally said, her tone filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. Alexa fell silent, struggling to find the right words.

"Honestly, I like this new side of you better," Julie continued, observing his nervousness with a sympathetic gaze. "But you're not the Alexa I remember. I understand if you have your reasons for being different now."

Feeling the weight of her words and realizing she wasn’t pushing him for answers, Alexa let out a relieved sigh. "It’s okay. I’m fine as long as you’re happy with who I am now. Just... don’t get into any more trouble," Julie said gently before turning to leave.

As Julie reached the door, Alexa called out softly, "Juju, I’m okay. I’ll tell you everything when I’m ready."

The use of her nickname, one he had used in the novel, brought a genuine smile to Julie’s face. Alexa, heart racing at the near slip, felt a wave of relief wash over him. Julie’s warmth and understanding helped him manage the mounting anxiety, even as he was still grappling with his new reality.

Last time, Vincelo had a visceral dislike for Alexa, and it wasn’t just about his being sissy or gay. It was the relentless pursuit that grated on him. Alexa’s constant attention and attempts to get close had crossed a line, leaving Vincelo feeling hounded and uncomfortable. It wasn’t merely the embarrassment he felt whenever Alexa was around; it was the sense of invasion and lack of personal space that drove him mad.

The tipping point was the event that had happened not long ago—an incident that had left him fuming. Alexa had done something, perhaps unintentionally, that humiliated Vincelo in front of others. It wasn’t just a minor faux pas; it was a public spectacle that made Vincelo’s blood boil.

Now, seeing Alexa in the trending topic with rumors of a new romance, Vincelo’s frustration was rekindled. He tried to mask his irritation, but the image of Alexa looking so different, so put together, stirred a cocktail of resentment and unresolved anger.

“Great,” Vincelo muttered to himself, staring at the screen. “Just when I thought I could move on from this mess.”

The biology lecture ended, and the students began pairing up for their group assignments. Alexa sighed heavily, knowing his partner was the MC—the one sitting right next to him.

“Hi! I’m McMillan. You can call me Max,” the MC introduced himself with a friendly smile.

Alexa barely looked up from his notebook. “Yeah, I’m Alexa Oliver. Just call me Lexi.” He could already feel a sense of dread.

One of their classmates approached. “Tomorrow we only have morning classes. How about we get together after class to work on the assignment?”

Max immediately agreed, nodding eagerly. It was clear they knew each other well. Alexa rolled his eyes internally, thinking, *Great, just what I needed—an eager beaver who’s already on top of things.*

His annoyance was momentarily interrupted by his phone ringing with Julie’s chat notification. He glanced at the screen.

[Juju: Lexy, I need a favor. I left something important in my car. Can you grab it for me? I’m in my faculty workshop. Get the key from Danelly.]

Alexa frowned but quickly shook off his irritation. He located Danelly waiting by the entrance of their department building and got the key. Without wasting any time, he drove toward the Engineering department.

Julie’s car, a flashy Royal Python, stood out like a beacon among the sea of vehicles. Alexa parked next to it and retrieved the item Julie had left behind. He couldn’t help but chuckle at Julie’s obsession with luxury cars; it was as if she was in a constant battle with her own desire to outdo everyone.

As he returned to his own car, he wondered how his day had turned into a series of errands and awkward encounters. With a resigned sigh, he got back in his vehicle, ready to tackle whatever else the day had in store—partnered with the ever-smiling MC, of course.

The reality of Alexa being at the center of attention again, especially in such a romantic and high-profile way, only added fuel to Vincelo’s ongoing frustration. It wasn’t just about the past anymore; it was the fact that Alexa was once again stealing the spotlight, stirring up feelings he thought he had left behind.

Alexa took the elevator up to the automotive workshop on the fourth floor, ready to deliver the files to Julie. But as the elevator stopped at the second floor, the doors slid open to reveal Vincelo and his friends, flanked by Camila Carson and Felicia Zion—two of his most persistent bullies.

Alexa’s heart raced. The sight of them stirred a wave of anxiety and anger. Vincelo’s gaze was indifferent, but the smirks on Camila and Felicia’s faces made Alexa's blood boil. Their laughter echoed in the confined space, and he could feel his temper rising.

Suddenly, Felicia, with a casual air, gave Alexa a rough shove. He stumbled, hitting his head hard against the elevator door. “Oops, sorry! The elevator’s shaking,” she said mockingly, her tone dripping with insincerity as she covered her mouth with an exaggerated expression of innocence. Camila joined in, her smile dripping with satisfaction.

Alexa clenched his fists. As the elevator reached the fourth floor, he jabbed the button to open the doors and stormed out, turning back to give them a venomous glare. “Your apology is accepted. BITCH!” he shouted, flipping them off before exiting with a defiant stride. The elevator fell silent as Vincelo’s face darkened with anger.

When Alexa arrived at the workshop, he handed the files to Julie and walked out without a word. Julie, witnessing his fury, shook her head in concern.

Determined to avoid any more encounters, Alexa opted for the stairs. But luck wasn’t on his side. As he reached the building entrance, he found Vincelo, Mike, and the other guys waiting for him.

Mike stepped forward, his tone conciliatory. “I’m really sorry about what happened. Are you okay?”

Annoyed and not in the mood for their apologies, Alexa brushed past them, muttering, “Cheap.”

Before he could walk away, Vincelo grabbed his wrist. Alexa’s eyes flashed with icy fury. Vincelo was momentarily taken aback, unable to respond to the intense look Alexa gave him. Just as Alexa was about to yank his wrist free, Vincelo’s hand was abruptly shoved away. Bryan, who had appeared out of nowhere, took Alexa’s hand in his own and placed his other hand on his waist, his stance exuding dominance.

“Who allowed you to touch what’s mine?” Bryan’s voice was authoritative, his gaze locked with Vincelo’s in a charged stare. The tension between them was palpable, crackling in the air.

Realizing the escalating confrontation, Alexa quickly pulled Bryan away, trying to diffuse the situation. “Let’s go,” he urged, leading Bryan towards the parking lot.

Bryan’s playful smirk returned as they reached the car. “Did my acting deserve an Oscar or what?”

Alexa rolled his eyes. “You’re a terrible liar,” he said, slipping into his car. Bryan looked puzzled, unsure of how to take Alexa’s comment, but Alexa’s mind was already racing, trying to process the chaotic turn of events and avoid further drama.

Alexa's frustration had reached its peak. After waiting an hour and a half for McMillan to show up for their assignment, he decided to take a break and calm down in the restroom.

When he reached the bathroom door, he had to put all his strength into opening it. Once inside, he was startled by the sound of someone crying. Instinctively, he kicked the door open and saw a boy on the floor. Without a second thought, Alexa’s reflexes kicked in. He landed a punch on the boy, who was about to retaliate, then swiftly kicked him in the groin. The boy collapsed, clutching his wounded area.

Alexa turned to McMillan, who was visibly distressed. Pulling McMillan into a comforting embrace, he glared at the boy on the floor with icy contempt. He then dragged McMillan out of the restroom.

“Who was that?” Alexa asked, concerned but trying to maintain his composure.

McMillan, still sniffling, replied sadly, “He’s my ex-boyfriend. He’s a senior from other schools.”

Alexa nodded in understanding. It made sense now—no wonder McMillan was so upset.

Once they were back at their table, Alexa set up his device to work on the assignment. However, McMillan remained dejected, unable to turn on his laptop which had been damaged during the scuffle. He looked at the broken laptop with a pained expression.

“Why don’t you use my tablet?” Alexa offered, but McMillan just hugged his bag tightly, clearly distraught. Alexa’s heart softened at the sight.

“Let’s just get you a new one,” Alexa said decisively.

McMillan looked up, surprised. “You don’t have to. I can take it to get repaired,” he said, trying to be polite but clearly upset.

Alexa frowned. “Is it even worth fixing? It looks pretty damaged, and we need it for the presentation tomorrow.” He was trying to be practical and supportive.

McMillan’s head hung low. After a moment of silence, he mumbled, “I don’t have the money for a new one.”

Alexa’s patience snapped. “I’ll pay for it!” he said firmly, cutting off any further argument.

McMillan’s eyes widened in shock and relief. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice trembling.

“Yes,” Alexa replied with a determined nod. “Now, let’s go. We need to sort this out before it’s too late.”

McMillan, still overwhelmed, allowed Alexa to lead him out, his eyes filled with gratitude and relief.

McMillan followed Alexa timidly, his nerves clearly showing as they walked into the largest electronics store in the shopping complex. The array of high-end laptops on display seemed overwhelming, and McMillan swallowed hard, contemplating the cost—he doubted he could afford them even if he sold both kidneys.

"Choose whatever you like," Alexa said, gesturing to the assortment of laptops.

McMillan hesitated, eyes darting nervously. “I—I don’t think I can afford any of these.”

Alexa, already anticipating this, turned to the shop assistant. “Excuse me, miss. Do you have any InfinityBooks suitable for university students?”

The shop assistant led them to the VIP section of the store. McMillan’s reluctance was palpable, but Alexa gently pulled him along.

“You really don’t have to do this for me,” McMillan said quietly, his voice trembling. “I don’t have money to pay you back.”

Alexa smiled warmly. “You don’t have to pay me back. Consider it a gift from a friend.”

McMillan’s eyes lit up with a mixture of surprise and excitement. “Really? I can be your bestie?”

Alexa chuckled at McMillan’s enthusiasm. “Sure, if you want.”

McMillan, with a shy grin, added, “I’ve never had a best friend before.”

Alexa playfully flicked McMillan’s forehead. “Well, now you do. Let’s just focus on getting you a good laptop.”

As they made their way back to the university dorm, McMillan thanked Alexa repeatedly, his gratitude evident in every word. He promised to treasure the gift and to value their new friendship. For McMillan, today was unforgettable—the day he not only received a laptop but also found his first best friend.

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