- Gabriella -

Today is my first day at Soren's top University and I can't stop the nerves from buzzing across my skin. It is one of the most important days of my life.

Like what they always said "First impression counts."

So I decided to play the game with my classic skin-tight jeans and a black halter neck top. With no make-up on. Yep, no make-up because I'm allergic to it. Putting make-up on my skin results in a sudden itchy reaction, and the appearance of red blotchy patches and it itches like hell.

Apparently, my skin hates any products processed with chemicals. It does this by becoming itchy, red and hot. Even the apparel I wear must be 100% organic cotton or again allergic reaction. Learned it the hard way. Oh well.

Thus, my wardrobe is full of organic apparel. Even the socks I wear had to be made from cotton. I heard that the latest fashion trends were organic cosmetics - claimed to be made from PURELY plants. It hit the fashion industry in a wave, and everywhere they are selling it. But, nope I refused to buy it.

Nope, not gonna risk it.

"Hey Hun, it's your first day at school. You ready?" Rebecca asked me from the kitchen.

"Yeah. How do I look?" I asked her as I managed over the nerves and made a show of turning around. The last thing I want is Mom to worry about me.

I had no friends in high school.

Well, the real ones I mean. I couldn’t really connect with people my age ever since I was young. I like to keep a low profile because I dislike being the center of attention. I love to spend time alone being in the park or on the beach. I can't explain how it feels, but whenever I am near plants or water bodies or nature in general, it just feels like... like something in me sparks to life. Just like breathing.

Maybe that explains why my high school friends think I'm a little weird. But, surprisingly they still let me hang out with them mostly because I look great.

Everyone is drawn to my looks, mainly my eyes because I have gold irises. They look like malted amber in the day and molten gold in the night. People approach me because they can’t help but be curious about my eyes. The next thing I know, I instantly became friends with them. It's really weird and I hate it when they always do that. I mean I can see that I'm your friend solely because of superficial reasons? But, not because of BEING me.

That’s why I became hesitant to stand out or try to make any friends in high school.

"You look beautiful as always, Briel." The seriousness in Rebecca's tone made me glance towards her in surprise. "I always wonder who gave you those looks."

"What? Seriously... Why are you saying that again? I thought we were over that." I rolled my eyes.

Rebecca is not my true mother, but she was the one who raised me up from the tiny wailing me to the now teenager me. We live in a small apartment in the city of Soren and Mom works as an artist. Her artworks are just so amazing that she can earn enough to support both of us and afford an apartment in the city.

My favourite art piece was a painting of a strange forest and even stranger inhabitants. It gives a feeling of longing and intriguing mystery, like a secret hide-away that’s been forgotten. It is a replica of the one she made in the Grande Artisan’s Competition 24 years ago.

Rebecca adopted me when I was a baby. She told me I was left in front of her doorstep with nothing except for a ring and note saying, “Gabriella”, which she assumed was my name. She had told me the truth on the day I turned 16, and I surprised both of us when I said: "It doesn’t matter who or where my real parents are. What matters is now."

Because at that time I believed Rebecca was all I needed. Just the two of us. And I still do.

And that was that. We never brought up the topic again.

There wasn’t a father then and even now, because Rebecca remained unmarried. She used to date when I was young, but they never worked out. Something about her being too independent and too busy spending time with her work and me. But now I’m older and I secretly hoped she would still meet someone suitable.

"Are you sure you wanna take the hover line? Want me to ride you there instead?" She asked me the gazillionth time.

"No Mom, stop worrying and get ready for whatever company meeting that you have. You're gonna be late. And I prefer the hover tube anyway." I replied as I hastily jammed my feet into my sneakers, grabbed my bag and my new notes.

I could feel Rebecca glancing at the clock and then her strangled scream as she realized she might be late. That's her only problem. See, she may be the best artist I know and the greatest cook, but she is just bad at time management.

"Alright bye! Wish me luck!" I hugged her goodbye, as I headed out the front porch. My fingers are already scrolling on my phone to book my transport.

"Good luck! Hope you meet new friends there!" Rebecca's voice called over. Hearing her, I smiled. Yep, I really need that. I'm determined that this time I'm going to make at least one real friend in Uni. Just one friend, that isn't so difficult, right?

Five minutes later, my transport tube comes hovering to a stop in front of me. It is a sleek and compact design, one of the latest developments by Soren's government. Technology here is really advanced. All cars are powered by solar energy, and the hover line is driven by an electromagnetic suspension.

The glass doors slid open with a thud as I stepped into the one-seater. It's relatively more expensive to get the private hover compared to the usual 10 seater ones. But I like my privacy. The last thing I want is to sit beside a commuter and make small talk or find myself pretending that they are invisible as they stare at me.

The reassuring weight of my ring rests against my chest as I sat against the soft seat of the private tube. I fingered it nervously, an old habit of mine.

I had decided to wear it around my neck instead of wearing it on my finger. It's like my lucky charm now.

"Good Morning. Where would you like to go? Please state your destination." A smooth robotic female voice emanated from the speakers as the glass doors closed shut.

"The University of Soren" I answered. Adjusting the temperature of the tube by clicking on the small holographic screen at the side of the seat.

"Destination confirmed: University of Soren. Please sit back and relax." The female voice intoned.

I popped in my earbuds as the tube started gliding, and fingered my black halter top self-consciously. The nerves are back again.

I rarely wore this, do I look okay? Maybe I should have opted for my usual t-shirts? The anxious-to-get-out-of-comfort-zone part of me says.

Hey! Remember it's the first impression thing! You gotta befriend someone and no one is going to bother to look twice if they see you in your plain ol t-shirt and jeans. Another part - the logical part of me - chided myself.

Before the endless spiral of thoughts can continue any longer, I clicked open the news feed on the panel in front of me. My earbuds automatically connected to the audio speakers of the hover tube with a click of soft static. The familiar bored tone of the newscaster filled the tube and droned out my thoughts. "Today's weather forecast is sunny, warm with no rain. Temperature fluctuations range from 28 to 30 degrees... "

I stifled a yawn. Okay, bad choice.

I was busy scrolling through the feed and also some tabloid fan news about girls saying that they were very excited for the school term to start. With a start, I realized that in one of the videos it featured a familiar place. It is the aforementioned school that I’m heading there now. The girls were squealing, saying that they can’t wait to meet some guy which I guess must be a celebrity studying in the university. Before I could catch the celebrity’s name, the feed was paused.

"You have arrived at the University of Soren. Please pay the transport fees before leaving the tube. Have a nice day. " The pleasant robotic female voice chimed as the tube glided to a stop.

Looking out of the glass doors, I can already see students milling about on the campus grounds. There are also several students stepping out of the communal transport tubes, arriving for their lessons. The University of Soren loomed in front of me, and I can't help but admire the view. There are abundant flora and fauna surrounding every nook and cranny of the campus. The architecture of the University takes after a historical design, giving off the effect of stepping into another era.

That's the reason I chose to study here. After months of research, I found that the University offers a campus life near nature to encourage students to see its beauty. Efforts to immerse students in nature include building the campus near forests, a man-made park for studying and even gardens in every dormitory. (Like Woah!)

I need the greenery to be near me constantly and no other Universities could offer me such a close-up experience as the one here.

It's weird. I still remember when I was 10 years old. I went on a school trip to the museum. The enclosed building was devoid of any plants or nature and the lack of exposure made me uncomfortable.

Initially, it was just the feeling of tiredness and I brushed it off. Gradually, I started to feel weak and breathing became difficult.

"Gabriella are you okay? You look pale." My teacher's face swam in my vision. The next thing I know, I blacked out. I woke up in the hospital bed with Rebecca beside me. She had bought small little potted plants and placed them around me.

"Lack of exposure to plants will slowly draw out her energy. We cannot diagnose her condition as we have never come across such a rare case before. I'm sorry to say that my colleagues and I could not find out the reason why she has such a condition. We can only suggest that she has to be constantly near plants or trees or anything of nature." That was the doctor's diagnosis.

Great... So allergic reactions and now proximity to plants. The list just adds on...

"Please pay your fees before leaving. " The robotic voice pinged again, after sensing my inaction. Swiping my card over the scan, I hopped out of the tube, excitement, and curiosity winning over my nerves.