I woke up feeling heavier than usual, my head pounding in slow, painful pulses. Even opening my eyes felt like work. It had been a long night, the kind that lingers in your bones the next morning.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty."
Sophia's voice pulled me fully awake.
She stood in front of the mirror, a pink towel wrapped around her body, probably from one of her ambassador deals. I watched her for a while as she applied layer after layer of skincare products with careful precision. Just watching her made me feel like buying everything she used.
"Where are you going this early?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
Sophia gave me a look, and that's when it hit me.
It wasn't early.
We have a morning class.
I turned quickly to the clock above our door. It was 7:28 a.m. Lecture start by 8:00
"Oh my God, Sophia! You should have woken me earlier!"
I jumped out of bed, slipped into my flip-flops, and rushed straight into the bathroom. I heard her say something about not wanting to disturb me, and honestly, I understood. I hadn't slept early anyway.
I took a quick bath, and by the time I was done, Sophia was already fully dressed.
She wore a floral sundress with a slit up her thigh. It looked beautiful on her. Her hair was packed into a sleek ponytail that gave her a natural face lift.
Sophia was studying Cosmetology, while I was in Business Administration. But according to school rules, all first-year students had to take Marketing, and that is today's lecture.
"I would have thought you'd study medicine or law, one of those big professional courses," she said casually.
I just smiled.
With a gynecologist for a mother and a serial entrepreneur for a father, people always expected more "prestigious" choices from me. But all I wanted was to build my own bag brand someday.
That was why I chose Business Administration. At least it would teach me how to run my brand properly.
Watching my parents constantly working, traveling, and barely being home made me realize something.
I wanted a simpler life.
And most importantly, I wanted to be present for my future children.
Not distant.
Present.
I had planned to wear a two-piece outfit, but seeing Sophia made me change my mind.
I pulled out a short, flared blue dress from my box. It was one of my newest pieces, picked by my mom. The patterns gave off a soft floral illusion.
I slipped into it and walked over to Sophia.
"Help me zip this," I said.
She stood up from where she had been scrolling her phone and zipped it up for me.
"Do you have plans of getting a man today?" she asked.
I blinked. "What?"
"This dress is hot, Emily. Like really hot."
I laughed. "I'm just going to class, Sophie."
I had braided my hair before coming to school so I could style it easily. My mom always said braids suited me, and I loved them too.
I packed it into a low bun, leaving a few strands at the front. Then I applied my lip gloss. One thing you will never see me without is lip gloss.
I picked up my white Chanel bag, big enough for my books, power bank, and snacks. I wasn't about to go hungry during lectures. I paired it with my white Chanel slippers.
"Let's go, Sophie. I'm ready."
I turned back and saw her lying on the bed with her eyes closed.
"Oh, you're sleeping already? I guess I'll just go without you."
"You dare not."
She jumped up immediately, and we both burst out laughing.
As we stepped out, I immediately noticed the difference.
The dorm was now filled with students everywhere.
As we walked, I could feel eyes on us. Some greeted Sophia. She responded to a few and ignored others. One thing I've noticed about her is that she isn't fake.
Some looks weren't friendly. Smirks. Silent judgments.
But I didn't care.
Growing up, I had always been judged for being from a wealthy home. People competing with me for no reason.
What I never understood was why people hate what they pray for.
Why compete where you can't compare.
Humans confuse me sometimes.
The lecture hall was already filled with students chatting and catching up. It was spacious and well ventilated, with air conditioners running quietly. Each student had their own seat.
I spotted two empty seats in the fifth row and signaled Sophia.
As we walked toward them, I felt it again.
Eyes.
Too many eyes.
"Wow, Sophia, who is this hot girl beside you? Lovely dress, by the way."
I turned slightly.
"Oh, Emily, meet my guy Maxwell," Sophia said. "A crazy friend of mine. He's retaking this course because he refused to read."
Maxwell looked exactly like that description.
Both ears pierced, deep red tinted hair, and braces.
He wasn't too tall, not too short either, but he looked good. Clean too.
"I do study," he said. "I just party more."
We laughed.
He was easy to talk to, and I found out he was my senior colleague.
"Welcome to Business Admin, cutie. I'll be seeing you around more often," he added.
We settled into our seats, and I asked Sophie how she met Max.
According to her, she found him completely wasted at a birthday party hosted by one of her coursemates and ended up taking care of him. They had been friends ever since. She also explained that he was fun to be around and had just the right amount of craziness needed for this school.
In less than a few minutes, the lecturer walked in, a well-dressed middle-aged woman. The moment she returned our greetings, I could already tell she is eloquent.
"Well, let's just say we're lucky we arrived before her," Sophia whispered, making a small hand gesture.
I understood her point. I couldn't imagine walking into the class while she was already teaching. With the number of students present, it would have been terrifying. It could have gone way worse.
The class lasted two long hours in a hall so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was obvious that Mrs. Ann, whose name I later learnt when someone asked a question, was a no-nonsense woman.
She taught very well, though, constantly throwing random questions across the room. I found myself silently praying not to be picked. I hadn't prepared for that at all.
During the class, I noticed my roommate wasn't really paying attention. I couldn't blame her. She had gone through this before, so it wasn't new to her.
After the class, as we packed up our bags, I decided to feed my curiosity.
"Do you regret it? Being behind and starting again with new people?"
Feel bad? Maybe. Regret? Never. I made a lot of money. And if I see a better offer, I'm leaving again. All I know is I will get my degree. It doesn't matter when."
I admired that about her.
We left the hall quickly, not interested in staying back to socialize.
On our way to the dorm, someone stopped Sophia.
"Prof. Stephen wants to see you."
She sighed. "Go ahead without me. It might be a while."
I nodded and continued alone.
I was exhausted and hungry. I hadn't even eaten my snacks.
The dorm was quiet.
Empty.
I didn't think much of it.
I opened my door and stepped in, letting out a quiet breath.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then my eyes adjusted.
And I saw him.
Sitting on my bed.
Not just sitting… relaxed. Like he belonged there. Like I was the one out of place.
My breath caught in my throat.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Welcome," he said calmly. "How was your lecture today?"
Okay.
I've had enough.