"Soph, help me with this thing called as—dress. My mind's gonna explode."

Can't this girl keep her damn mouth shut for five more minutes?

She had been pestering me for the last half an hour to assist her in getting dressed. I'd already told her to hold off for a half-hour until I finished the task. I was halfway through the last question, but she had to blast my poor eardrums by chanting.

"Ivy, don't you get what two minutes means? If you don't, do me a favor and bang your head against the closest wall before I do it! "

Stupid girl!

I could hear her whining and groans. I finished my assignment by slamming my book shut.

"I'm done; show me the so-called outfit," She walked into the closet and, believe me, that was the biggest mistake I ever made.

"Soph! Soph! SOPH! Where are you? "

I interrupted her, "Damn girl, what the heck have my ear drums ever done to you? For your kind knowledge, I'm here, under this newly created Mt. Everest. " I freed myself from under the pile of clothes, giving her a deadly glare. She smiled at me innocently.

You've got to pay!

"Are you sure you're going to put that on?!?" I picked my dress after a half-hour of browsing in Ivy's closet.

"And what's the matter with that!?" With a raised brow, I questioned, emphasizing the word "that."

She exhaled heavily and said, "There's nothing wrong. It's just that you'll be out of place. "

I just sighed and rolled my eyes, "Do I seem to be genuinely concerned about it? We're going to a freshmen gathering, not a bar, last I checked. So, take it easy! Let's change; we've got an hour. " I picked up my clothes and went to change after saying that. Ivy insisted on me wearing the strapless, cleavage-baring, short dress.

Girl, are you serious?! I've got better stuff to put on.

My outfit was neither revealing nor conservative. It was a simple orange jumpsuit with black borders. A simple outfit for a simple me. At both ends, there was a golden cord. I matched it with a pair of black athletic shoes. My light-brown locks were neatly pulled back into a high ponytail. I applied mascara and red lipstick to my face for the occasion.

A pair of wide hazel eyes gazed at me from behind a mirror. Her pale skin overshadowed her tiny, petite body, reminding her that she was anemic.

That's right, it's the same me!

I spotted her fumbling with the hook of her red crop top, which was caught in her messy mahogany curly hair, out of the corner of my eye. Did I mention she recently dyed her hair?

I smiled as I approached her, "Wait, it's trapped in this place. Lemme help ya. " She smiled, before working on her nails.

Ivy's outfit consisted of a red crop top and a black denim skirt. She wore it with black boots, and her hair was softly falling down her shoulders. Ivy's height and skin tone complemented whatever outfit she wore. She stood at 5'7" tall with a slim figure and caramel-colored skin. Her fingernails were cleaned and manicured to perfection. Her look screamed "bold." Really, she was!

It had been a week with her; apart from being a complainer and a fashionista, she was still a clumsy-crazy girl. She enjoyed her life, which made me adore her.

My jaw actually dropped as we walked into the party hall. Ivy squealed with glee. To tell you the truth, it looked AMAZING! The whole place was lit up with neon lights, and there was even a DJ. On the dance floor, I saw students shaking their booty. At the far end of that large space, there was a food service counter. People appeared to be having a nice time, and who could blame them!?

Ivy grabbed my hands and pulled me to the drink corner before I could even say anything. "All right, woman, slow down! I know you're excited and all, but don't show it on me! " I gently rebuked her, causing her to slow down.

Thank you, Lord!

"Hi guys! Woah, you two look amazing!" I turned around to lock eyes with a pair of light green eyes, recognizing a very familiar accent. I grinned as I looked him over from head to foot. Felix was clad in a white buttoned-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves and blue washed jeans. His dark spiky hair was sending me a standing ovation.

"Thank you! You look great, too." I complimented him back, receiving a dimple-showing grin.

Boy, that dimple!

"Wow buddy, new look! Not bad, not bad! " Ivy exclaimed, wiggling her brows and receiving a smack on her head from Felix. I laughed at their exchange.

Sapphire marched towards us, muttering, "Ugh, that imbecilic dimwit! I'm so going to kill him!" Gosh, she had such a glitzy appearance! She was dressed in a light blue one-piece that came up to her thighs. Her dark-brown hair was tightly tied back into a knot, a few curls dangling on her round face.

"Hi! Bye! " She said as she waved her hand at us.

Okay, that's strange!

She requested a Coke. We three exchanged glances before Ivy asked her, "You, okay?"

She nibbled her lips, "Do I look like I'm okay? That son of a... Damien, I mean. He left me for that stupid nerd. " Her annoyance was obvious in her expression.

"What did he do now?" Ivy inquired, but due to an intrusion, we never received any response.

"Sapphire, you do look like 'sapphire' tonight!" All three pairs of eyes were on Felix, including mine. Damn, I didn't see that coming! Ladies and gentlemen, both of them were beet-root in a matter of seconds.

Okay, too much for starters, but then again, the night has just begun!

I eyed Ivy, who seemed to be totally engrossed in the show, purely enjoying it. To break their stare-down, I coughed softly.

"Um... thank you?" She replied, or rather, it seemed like a question.

I nudged Ivy, "Um... Guys, I think I'll be at the food counter with Ivy. Why don't you keep your staring contest going!" I winked at them, pulling Ivy behind me.

We both broke out laughing as we approached the food counter. "That was quite a show. Did you see their faces? They both blushed so damn hard! So adorable! " I chortled at her words.

"Let's dance!"

Damn girl, you really need to learn to control yourself.

The next thing I knew, I was on the dance floor, surrounded by sweaty bodies. The dance floor was shaking from the high pop music and everyone's all-time-favorite, Despacito. They were dancing as if they hadn't danced since birth.

Damn you, this place has stuff like frozen drinks, water, air, and the rest. Go, have them and dance. Is dancing directly proportional to surviving? No, of course not!

What was I supposed to say to them when my own friend was maniacally dancing? I tried to tell her, "Girl, get a grip!" Keyword: "tried." I was about to tell her, but she lightly pushed me, showing her groovy moves, and my words remained in my mouth. I lost my balance after being hit in the back by another person, but it was thanks to that kind-hearted man who steadied me with his arms.

I instantly gathered myself, putting some space between us. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice slurred as if he were inebriated. I met his chocolate-brown eyes as I turned to face him. His tall, muscular body gave him a dashing appearance. He smiled at me, his blonde hair disheveled. I noticed he had light freckles near his nose. I was not sure how long I had been looking at him, but his smirk spoke volumes.

Kill me now!

I cleared my throat before replying, "Yeah... Yeah... I'm fine. Thank you. "

Smirking, he nodded. "So, freshmen!?" He inquired, or rather said. I nodded, nervously.

"Ken. Ken Callaway, the sophomore quarterback and captain of the soccer team."

Oh, that explains his body.

"Soph. Sophronia Jasper, the freshman student. " I said as I shook his hand.

"You..." A voice cut him off, "May I have your attention, please?"

The DJ wasn't blaring anymore. People had ceased to dance as well. We were fully focused on the stage in front of us. I was unaware of the presence of a stage. Anyway, there it was!

A young lady with an exquisite look stood on the stage. Her bronze-colored hair was waist length, and her eyes were light blue. She was clad in a dark pink slit-front floor-length gown. She spoke gracefully while holding the mic in her hand.

This face is a familiar one!

"Faith Styles!" As if sensing my thoughts, Ivy whispered in my ear. I couldn't forget about her, could I?

Ivy introduced me to the university's forum two or three days ago, but it was sort of like a university students' forum. There was a shot of her there that I had noticed. She was a member of the student council. Saphy told me that she was one of those rich kids who was quite proud and showy, but then again, who was I to judge anyone!?

She welcomed all of us and blah blah blah.... Abide by the rules, follow this, follow that... Don't go there, don't go here, and the list went on and on! What!? Just because she was beautiful and all that didn't mean I was going to listen to her ramblings. A group of girls in a ponytail, wearing a white top and a red miniskirt, appeared from behind the scenes.

Cheerleaders, huh!

They started doing some kind of dance and all that stuff that a typical cheerleader does! Everybody began to roar.

Long lost brothers of lions!

A girl came from behind and stood beside Faith. Claire Norman, the head cheerleader, aka the walking beauty, blew flying kisses to all.

Keep blowing kisses and you'll find your teeth, tongue, and lips blowing, too. Idiot!

She was very well-known on the forum, I must admit, with her long blonde hair and dark-brown eyes. Every day, there were her photographs on it, along with various compliments, such as—

'You look like that...'

'Your looks are so...'

'Your dress is so...'

'Your hair is so...'

'You have the impression of a rag dog...'

Oh, sorry, sorry! That isn't there, but that is, so that isn't, but yeah, that is!

Next to me, I heard someone shuffling. I turned around to see Ken approaching them. Did I mention Ken, too, was a member of the student council?

He is, without a doubt. Typical popular!

Everyone had an eye on him as he took a few strides. He came to a stop and turned around when his chocolate-brown orbs collided with my hazel ones. He walked towards me, smirking, until our noses were a few centimeters apart. What the hell was he up to?

Every single person's gaze had shifted to us by this point. "Sophronia, I'll see you around!" That sounded... good!?

Get a grip, Soph! Remember what Ivy said about him being a playboy. Freaking playboy!

Embarrassment had warmed my face. It was not every day that a boy acknowledged me like that. He turned around and marched back to the stage. Oh my god, he did that on purpose!

I was getting several different types of reactions. Ivy was sending me a look that said—'Spill it all!' Others stared at me as if I was a brand-new alien from the long-lost planet of Pluto's brother. Claire and Faith shared puzzled looks with me.

I was happy he didn't have a girlfriend because I would have died by now if he had! He soon joined them in making a speech of some kind.

"Enjoy your night, friends!" Faith announced it after a few minutes. Finally, God saved us!

"Look, whom have I brought with me?"

We were standing by the drink corner, sipping coke after those long lectures. Saphy and Felix were also blushing profusely. Ivy and I shared sly looks, but no one bothered them. They already look so bothered. I narrated my whole exchange with Ken to Ivy. She had been nagging me ever since, claiming that he liked me and all that blah blah blah...

Stupid fangirl!

We saw Damien approaching us with someone. Sapphire yelled at him, poking his chest, "YOU! Get the fuck out of my sight before I cut your balls and shove them down your throat! "

I sympathized with him, but not with him, the adorable dark-eyed boy with black cat-eye glasses and short curly brown hair who stood nervously beside him. He furrowed his brows in reaction to my gaze, as though sensing it. I grinned politely, but he blushed and quickly turned away.

Aw, that's so adorable!

"Who is he?" As everyone was engrossed in their own gossip, I inquired. They came to a halt and turned to face the newcomer. Oh, my goodness, he was flushed red from being the subject of so much attention.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, man! He's a recent acquaintance of mine, Austin. Austin Kardigan, a sophomore as well! " Damy was the one who welcomed us all.

"Hello," he said shyly, and we all smiled. "Oh my gosh, he's so adorable!" Ivy complimented him by pinching his cheek, causing him to go beet root all over again.

Girl, you need to learn to be more self-controllable!

They all went to the dance, leaving just Austin and me. "You aren't much of a talker, are you?" I inquired, attempting to strike up a conversation with him.

"Until it's appropriate," he said with a shake of his head. In agreement, I hummed.

"You're not the sort to go to parties and stuff." I said with a raised brow.

He shook his head, "No, I'm not! My roommate almost compelled me to join him." I nodded, and the next thing I said was something I had no idea why I had said!

"Want to dance?" Internally, he was struggling to react. He finally nodded after a brief pause.

On the dance floor, we joined the others. We gracefully danced to the beats together. I must say, he was a great dancer!

"You're a good dancer!" With a grin, I complimented.

"You're not bad, either!" he said with a smile. That was the first time, neither he blushed nor his voice cracked from shyness. Instead, it was self-assured!

He looked nice with a smile. "You should smile more; it looks good on you!" Ivy was a terrible influence! Noted.

The music abruptly ceased, and I heard the sound of shattered glass. What the hell!?