Chapter 2 – Entrance Exam
Ally's stomach did flips as she stood outside the college exam hall. This was it — the first real step into her new life, away from the chaos of home. She adjusted her backpack and muttered under her breath:
"Okay, Ally… don't panic. Just… don't fail spectacularly in front of everyone."
She stepped inside and was immediately hit by a sea of nervous students. Everyone looked so prepared. Perfectly ironed shirts, neatly organized pens, highlighters lined up like soldiers. Ally? Hoodie, messy ponytail, and half a granola bar sticking out of her pocket.
She groaned. Of course, I look like a walking disaster.
Meeting Alex
As she shuffled to find a seat, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh! Watch it," a calm, collected voice said.
Ally looked up to see a tall guy with sharp blue eyes and neatly styled hair staring at her. He held out a hand.
"Alex," he said.
"Ally," she muttered, brushing off her backpack.
They both laughed awkwardly, and Ally realized he didn't seem offended at all. Most people would've rolled their eyes.
"So… first exam nerves?" Alex asked.
Ally shrugged. "Terrified. You seem way too calm for this to be healthy."
"Maybe I'm a genius… or maybe I'm a liar," Alex replied, smirking.
They ended up sitting near each other. Throughout the exam, Ally panicked over a math problem, and Alex whispered encouragingly:
"You got this. Don't overthink."
Ally glanced at him, almost rolling her eyes. He's probably the only sane person here.
By the end of the three-hour ordeal, they were laughing at the chaos as students scrambled to leave, spilling pens and dropping papers.
"You know," Ally said as they walked out together, "you might be the first person I've met today who isn't completely unbearable."
Alex grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
And just like that, a friendship was formed — fast, easy, and comfortable.
Waiting for Results
The next few weeks were torturous. Ally kept checking her email and the college portal every morning. She tried to focus on her daily routine, but it was impossible.
She texted Alex almost every day.
Ally: "So… any predictions?"
Alex: "You'll crush it. You're too stubborn to fail anything."
Ally: "Stubbornness ≠ intelligence."
Alex: "Maybe, but it helps."
Meanwhile, Drake — now a 300-level student at the same college — remained distant. Quiet. Closed-off. He didn't speak much to anyone except his closest friend, Josh. Ally noticed him in passing but assumed he didn't care.
The Results Are Out
Finally, the day came. Ally's hands shook as she logged into the portal.
…and the results popped up: PASSED.
She blinked. Then she saw the college name.
The same college as Drake.
Ally froze.
Of course, she muttered bitterly. Nothing in my life is ever simple.
Her phone buzzed. It was Alex.
Alex: "Check your email yet?"
Ally: "Yes. Don't remind me."
Alex: "Wait… same college?"
Ally stared at the message.
Ally: "Yes. The same stubborn, silent college as him."
Alex: "This is going to be… interesting."
Ally sighed. "Interesting is one word for it. Infuriating is another."
She couldn't help but think: college had officially started, and somehow, she was already caught in chaos — new friends, new rivals, and a stepbrother who didn't even talk to her.
And somehow… she had a feeling this was going to be the most complicated year of her life.