Judgemental much

After a long day filled with excitement and discovery, Gabrielle entered her small but comfortable room. The walls were painted a gentle cream color and decorated with a few posters on Emma’s side that reflected her elegance and youth. In contrast, Gabrielle's pale, bare walls revealed the simplicity of her own personality.

As she unpacked her school uniform and other necessities, Gabrielle realized Emma had not yet come back. Lost in thought, she pondered how vast the world was and how small she felt walking through those glamorous streets. Even inside her room, she sensed that she didn’t quite belong. “Will I make it through this?” she wondered, as the lively energy that had carried her through the day shifted to a quiet uncertainty while she folded her blazer and hung it neatly in the closet.

Gabrielle took a long shower, letting the steam wrap around her like a warm hug. As the water washed away the stress from the day, memories of the first-year assembly flooded her mind, especially the moment when Tyler McClellan glanced in her direction, even if just for an instant.

Wearing her pajamas, Gabrielle climbed into bed, but the soft sheets did little to calm her busy mind. Thoughts of Tyler’s confidence and his striking blue eyes filled her head like a movie replaying over and over. She tried to concentrate on breathing to steady her racing heart, counting sheep or maybe even those dandelion seeds she imagined while standing outside that fancy café.

Time went by, and Gabrielle found herself gazing at the ceiling, feeling her dreams slip further away. It was late, and she had a nagging sense that tomorrow would arrive quickly, yet she felt completely alert. Suddenly, the sound of the door handle turning interrupted her thoughts, and in walked her roommate, Emma, full of energy.

“Hey there, sleepyhead!” Emma greeted with a bright smile as her long hair flowed over her shoulders. She was bursting with laughter and excitement. “You won’t believe the fun I just had!”

Gabrielle lifted herself on one elbow, intrigued. “Where have you been?” she asked, trying to hide her curiosity.

Emma grinned and flopped onto her bed carefree. “Oh, just hanging out in my boyfriend’s room!” Her relaxed tone sent Gabrielle’s mind racing with judgment. To Gabrielle, romance seemed like an unfamiliar territory filled with potential problems she had only read about in stories.

“Your boyfriend? So what was so fun about being in Brad’s room?” Gabrielle asked while biting her lip in thought.

“Oh, come on.” Emma laughed and rolled her eyes as if she could sense Gabrielle's guilelessness. “I haven’t seen my guy for months! We had a lot to catch up on.”

Gabrielle smiled politely, but a hint of worry crept into her thoughts. She imagined two teenagers in love locked inside a room together, what could possibly happen?

Emma chuckled again before changing the subject. “So, how was your day? I heard you went into town!”

Gabrielle felt relaxed by the lively conversation, her spirits lifted by her roommate's cheerful attitude. “It was incredible! I found the most stunning shops and that café, what was it called again? It had a French name, and oh my goodness, the pastries looked amazing!” She couldn’t help but express the joy she had felt earlier. “But I almost fainted when I saw the prices!”

“What did I tell you? A true luxury experience!” Emma said with a wink. “I’m happy you’re getting to explore. It takes time to adjust. Did you meet anyone interesting?”

“Well…” Gabrielle hesitated, feeling her cheeks heat up a bit. “There’s Tyler, the student body president…” She trailed off, feeling a bit silly but unable to stop herself from mentioning him.

Emma perked up, a playful smile spreading on her face. “Tyler? The guy with electric blue eyes and dark hair, like our head boy Tyler?” She seemed to bounce with excitement, clearly inspired by Gabrielle’s crush.

“Yeah! He’s affluent and confident, just… wow,” Gabrielle admitted. “But I heard he’s really serious about his studies. Apparently, he sticks to the rules or something.”

Emma nodded, a spark of understanding in her eyes. “He is! But that’s what makes him so interesting. He’s not just good-looking; he has depth and ambition. Did you know he’s on a scholarship too? His family lost their wealth, but he still works hard and takes his responsibilities seriously.”

Gabrielle's heart raced with new determination. “If he cares about rules and studying, then maybe I should take my studies seriously too!” she exclaimed, feeling excitement build inside her. “If I can be the best, he might notice me!”

Emma laughed and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “That’s the spirit! Just remember to focus on being the best version of yourself—not just to impress him, but for you. You deserve to shine, Gabby!”

With Emma's encouragement ringing in her mind, Gabrielle felt filled with ambition. Tyler McClellan was more than just a handsome boy with a charming smile; he symbolized what she could aspire to befocused, driven, and purposeful.

As the two roommates settled into easy conversation, Gabrielle felt more excited than ever to embrace her new life and grab every opportunity that came her way. She may have been from a small town, but now she was ready to push boundaries, study hard, and maybe even make a name for herself in a world that seemed like a magical fairy tale.