Chapter 2

VIENNA'S POV

Therese and I arrived at the cafeteria. She volunteered to buy the food and I was the one to find a vacant table but I couldn't find anything. But someone suddenly called me, when I looked back it was Britt with Enzo and the guy who I didn't still know his name.

Britt got up from his seat and headed in my direction. All the students looked at us. Are they famous here? why is it like that he draws attention?

"There's no empty table, just sit at our table." I looked in Therese's direction but she shook her head violently which surprised me. I just mouthed why? then she looked at the girls who were currently looking at me badly.

"Let's go Vienna? don't be ashamed of us."

"Britt thank you, Vienna and I will just eat on the bench. Vienna, this is your food." Save by the bell, it's a good thing that she bought already. 

I took the food that Therese handed me, I just smiled at Britt and followed Therese out of the cafeteria.

Therese and I started eating when we sat on a bench near the cafeteria. Finally, we survived in the eyes of the people.

"Therese, are Britt and his friends famous here?" I ask. She put down the table on what she ate and drank soda.

"Britt and Enzo are not famous. Sebastian was the famous one plus he's talented," Therese replied. Sebastian? could that be the name of their friend?

"They are soccer players and they represent our course whenever there is a sports event here at the university. Sebastian is more likely to be chased by a woman, apart from being a handsome singer and also a member of the Music Club." Therese's story makes me nod. That's why all the girls in the cafeteria earlier looked at me badly because of Sebastian.

"But he's rude, quiet, and moody seems allergic to smile. We've never seen him laugh or smile, maybe he's just not that kind of guy," she added. It was obvious from Sebastian's face and that is why I was curious about his personality.

"Is that why you don't want to share at their table 'cause we might be issued because of him?" She nodded in response.

“You're the only woman that his friend invited to share on their table,” she said.

"Is that a big deal?" I wondered.

"Of course Vienna, for all Sebastian's fans, it's a very big deal. Not a single woman has tried to eat with them. If I hadn't stopped you, it might have been you," she replied. His fans are just really immature, tsk! tsk! tsk!

"Why is Britt so kind to you? He can't treat women like that." I also thought about what she said. Why is it? maybe Britt is just really nice.

"Let's not just talk about it, there are many more days for that and you will discover a lot of information about him." I just smiled in response. Therese told me another story just to make the conversation different. I enjoyed talking to her, she's nice and kind, for sure she could be my best friend.

After we ate, she invited me to go to the field. I just came along so I could find out where it was.

We arrived on the field and someone is currently playing. Therese and I sat on a bench and watched the game. Until I noticed a guy, it was Vince, my brother. My brother was good at playing and I also saw a group of women cheering on him.

"You see that guy?" And she pointed to my brother, I haven't told her yet.

"He's my brother," I immediately replied to her surprise, I just laughed.

"Seriously? he's your brother?" I picked up my phone and showed her the pictures of mine with my brother.

"Do you believe now? we are close before but now it's not quite like that but we're talking at home," I answered as I put my phone back in the bag.

"Is that so, that's why you look alike. It's in your blood to be handsome and beautiful."

After a few minutes of their game, Therese and I stood up again. I don't want my brother to see me here, he might think that I didn't attend my class.

"Therese, where is the Engineering building?" I asked as we both left the field. She showed me the way. I plan to surprise my best friend, Michelle.

Michelle Lorenzo is my best friend since 10th grade and we met in the US because of my dad. She had to transfer to this university earlier. She stayed in the US for almost 4 years with her grandmother and she returned to the Philippines 1 year ago.

Therese and I have already arrived at the Engineering building. From here in the distance, I already saw her. She was standing and talking on her phone. Nothing changed in her, she was beautiful as usual. 

Michelle turned around and was so surprised when she saw me. I just smiled sweetly at her.

"VIENNAAAAAA!!!" she shouted.

I couldn’t help but be startled, her voice echoed throughout the building. This woman was not embarrassed. She ran in my direction and suddenly jumped to hug me. I missed her.

"I missed you so much .. why didn't you even tell me that you're coming now?" she said while pouting, making me laugh for a while.

"I missed you too, I just wanted to surprise you and I'm sorry if I didn't tell you. By the way, she's Therese, my classmate, and Therese this is Michelle Lorenzo, my best friend." She broke free from my embrace and faced Therese.

"I know you, Therese Perez of the swimming team right?" Therese nodded in response. 

"Are you a swimmer? you haven't told me," I said.

"I'm sorry Vienna," Therese replied.

"Are you ashamed of Vienna? You know what friend, Therese was the representative of your course in the swimming competition. Aren't you the champion this year?" Therese nodded shyly.

"Congrats Therese, keep it up," I told her, and she smiled at me.

"Wait a minute.. wait for me, I'll just take my bag for a moment." Michelle left and went to her room.

After a few minutes, she came out and went in our direction. I notice that she was carrying a guitar. Michelle also loves to play and she also sings but she stopped because she will focus on academics. She knows that I'm covering a song and she also accompanies me whenever I record a song in RJ's studio.

We went down to the Engineering building while Michelle told us about what was going on here at the university. They are only the ones who understand each other's stories, 'cause I didn't witness what they were telling and I was just listening. We sat on a bench, there are a lot of students in this area and all the seats were occupied.

I was on the left side, the two of them were on the right side, and from here in my seat, I saw Britt at one end. Sebastian and I were facing each other but he didn't notice that I was looking at him.

Why does such a face seem familiar to me? did I meet him before?

"Vienna .. hey."

"Huh?" I later realize that I've been staring at Sebastian for a minute. Did Therese notice that?

"We've been talking to you," Michelle said. 

"Who are you looking at?" Therese asked. 

"Ahh no, what is that?" avoid my response. They might tease me when they find out that Sebastian is what I'm looking at.

"Sing for us Vienna," Therese replied. 

"How did you know that I can sing?" I asked, confused. She pointed at Michelle.

"Let Therese hear your golden voice," she said smiling.

"Michelle just somewhere else, not here," I replied but she shook her head.

"Ignore them, go ahead Vienna you can do that." I just took the guitar she handed me. 

They both applauded when I started to strum. Everyone's attention was caught, even Britt, Enzo, and Sebastian looked in my direction.

I didn’t expect them to keep up with the beat of the song, the seated students were already approaching in our direction. I feel embarrassed, promise.

This is the first song I played way back in 2017 when I was still in the US. I love this song, so I decided that this would be the first song that I want to cover.

I later realized that I was already looking at Sebastian but he didn't look away and stared at me as well.

Everyone applauded after I sang but I still couldn't take my eyes off Sebastian. But after a few seconds, I avoided his stares. I was forced to smile in front of everyone but in my heart, I was nervous.

We didn't do anything else, after the meeting the class resumed. After four subjects, we will go home at last. I'm tired today and I don't know why.

"Vienna, the opening of clubs will be on next week. Where do you want to join?" she asked as we walked.

Therese mentioned that to me earlier, but I don't know which club I will join.

"Maybe.. Music Club, you're a singer and you know how to play various instruments. For sure you can pass right away. What do you want? I'll accompany you to register next week," she added.

What is the purpose of clubs? to build up someone's confidence? that's just an added burden.

"I don't know and I'm not interested," I replied.

"You're not interested or maybe unsure? Am I right? Vienna no one will know you here, it's just me and Vince," she said. I don't care if they know. All I could think about was myself, what would happen to me if I joined.

"Okay, let's go." I don't want to prolong the conversation. I was forced to agree and made Michelle smile immediately.

We arrived at the lockers, Michelle went to her locker and so did I. I'll just leave this book I'm carrying, it's so heavy and it's slung over my shoulder.

"VnM's new song will be released tomorrow. I'm excited."

"For sure there will be many views again, hopefully soon we will know who she is."

I secretly smiled at the two as I opened my locker. I was the one they were talking about. My screen name is the initials of my name, it's just simple but even one listener can't guess.

"Vienna, come on, let's go."

I followed her after I closed my locker. Michelle and I arrived at the parking lot. Uncle Dante, their family driver for almost 12 years, picked her up. And I was surprised when I saw my brother leaning on my car.

"Key," he said without emotion when I arrived at his place. I raised my left eyebrow because of what he said. Damn him! it's my car so I will drive.

I went to the driver's area and didn't listen to him. I got on board and he did the same but I know he was irritated with what I did.

"What's your problem?" he asked disgustedly. We were on our way home when I turned to him.

"I will get revenge on you," he added.

"Is that a threat? will I cry?" I replied. His forehead furrowed but I just laughed.

We got home and I just went straight to my room and immediately stretched out on the bed. I didn't feel this kind of stress when I was still in America but why at that university, I feel that I'm carrying all the problems of the world.

After I finished my homework, I lay down on the bed again and closed my eyes. But Sebastian's face suddenly entered my mind.

Why was I looking at him earlier? We haven't talked yet and I don't even hear his voice but I have this strange feeling, that I met someone like him before. 

Who are you, Sebastian? why can't I avoid your stares?

The next morning, I woke up around seven o'clock. After almost 1 hour of fixing myself, I immediately left the room to go down and eat breakfast. But when I got to the dining area, my brother was not around.

"Your brother left early, he said he had a soccer practice."

Uncle Lucas noticed that I was looking for my brother. I just sat down to eat, but why isn't mom here either?

"Where's mom?" I asked while placing food on the plate.

"She left early too, she has a lot of works to do in the office," Uncle replied.

"Okay, uhmm uncle can I take a ride with you?" I asked to his surprise. It is the first time that I asked for a favor from him and maybe he's not used to it.

"All right, my workplace is only one way to your school," he replied. I smiled at my uncle, it's a good thing he agreed.

After about 15 minutes, uncle and I went out of the house and got into his car. I'm too lazy to drive my car every Friday and I'm not in the mood to drive.

I'm thankful because there's not much traffic, uncle Lucas sent me exactly 8 am to university. I also said goodbye to him and entered the gate.

I already see the various posters of the clubs in the hallway and I also hear the students I pass talking about it.

I joined different clubs since 10th grade but it was the same in college. It's just that you have a big responsibility as an officer. The success of an organization depends on all members and officers.

"Hi Vienna," Britt greeted me as I followed him down the hallway going to the room. I just smile at him.

"What club will you join?" he asked.

"Music Club," I shortly replied.

"Is that so, Sebastian was one of the members of Music Club so you might meet him there." Therese is right. I think he has a beautiful voice and I also want to hear it.

"You? what are you going to join?" I asked and looked at him.

"We can't join clubs on the soccer team and we just focus on the game. The only one who joined was Sebastian," he replied.

I suddenly remembered what Therese told me yesterday. He is good at handling time for academics. He is very talented that's why there are a lot of women who admire him.

"I see, good for him."

Sebastian's personality is very interesting. You wouldn’t expect in his looks that he’s talented. Like Therese told me yesterday, Sebastian is anti-social, quiet, and rude but he's good at other things.