13 - Drunk Jenga, Single Ladies

Freshmen gathered in the enormous auditorium of Aurum University(AU). General orientation is on going. Students drifted far from the announcements, as they appeared transfixed with sneaking glances at Care sitting together with the Nguyen triplets who were naturally eye catchers. No wonder they automatically rise to campus celebrities on their first day.

The Prefect of Discipline(POD) head discussed the same old set of school rules upstage. Some slept discreetly, a few managed to use their phones while many chit chatted with their group of friends in hushed voices.

Always competitive with everything, Ivy and Care listened to the discussion because both ladies intend to run for the first year representative seat.

Before boredom became the death of her, Marigold poked Ivy's shoulder again and again until she gave her attention.

"What time will this end, old maid?" she asked for the nth time.

Ivy glared at her briefly before resuming to look ahead. Failing to get the response she wanted, Marigold pestered Care next. As much as Care liked to shout at her smiling face, she held back considering the dozens of spectators they have.

"How could this blabbermouth act as if we are soul sisters?!" she inwardly protested.

She should have seen it coming when she met up with Aster earlier. Ivy and Marigold tagged along. They seemed hellbent on pretending they are the inseparable lovey-dovey triplets which they are frankly not! As a matter-of-fact, she almost puked at the sight.

"Goddess, listen! I heard you defiled Mister Virgin." Marigold teased, poking her hip.

Care kept her face straight though her cheeks flushed red because last night's humiliation flooded back to her mind.

"Oh, is that what you spread, gossip queen?" she retorted.

Marigold chuckled. Hope you choke, she thought.

"Too insignificant to share if I weigh the consequences. Shaming a Salvador equals hanging your head with a noose, remember?" Marigold whispered back.

She was about to say a nasty comeback but the microphone feedback reverberated around the entire auditorium causing their attention to drift back to stage. Right there, Eliseo Manaloto stood before the podium resting his muscular arms on the raised desk. He was clad in a white neat button down shirt with his sleeves rolled up just below his elbows. His pitch-black eyes glowed vicious more than ever! No one, not even Caress Aragon could deny the authoritative charisma he gives off.

He silenced the whole student body effortlessly!

This is the first time Eli and her attend the same school. She was in an all girls institution all her life! Dealing with boys worried her over summer vacation but what she feared the most is Eli slamming his superiority to her face. Now her worst nightmare did materialize before her very eyes!

"Neither blood nor roots..." Eli said.

"Solely on my soiled grounds." some people on the front row added with confidence.

Cliché start, Care scorned. The statement is the AU's maxim. Her father, an alumni of the university, explained it means defiance to one's status or family name in order to stand on one's own feet. It never truly made sense to her.

Why have a hard time climbing towards success if a person has connections to make things easier?

"Kudos, freshmen! Today marks the beginning of your college life. Let me be of aid to all of you this year as president of the Student Council, Eliseo Manaloto. Supposedly, I am to give an inspirational speech but I trust that you shall find your own inspiration or rather I just don't intend to keep you for long. Just remember, AU is a home for those who aspire to hone their potentials while a prison to those who merely plan to go along with the tides. See you at the Camaraderie!" he ended so dignified then even bowed after.

His display of humility drove her nuts, triggered more by the sound of applause filling the auditorium that nearly made her ears bleed.

Somebody stood briefly in the left row and shouted, "I wuv u, Pres!"

Eli was still descending on the staircase so his lopsided smile never escaped from prying eyes. It shook the female crowd. He literally raised the hype on the roof.

"Pathetic." Ivy and Care uttered in unison.

Disgusted by the fact that they spoke at the same time, they scoffed at each other.

"Quit copying me, copycat!" Ivy berated.

"Oh, I can read minds now?" Care mocked.

Marigold intercepted in the middle, putting her arms around each of their shoulders.

"I'd never get tired of the fiery banters! Can't wait for the Camaraderie laters!" she squealed.

Camaraderie is a welcome party for AU freshies. Many years ago, the common tradition was to socialize through dancing all night long in expansive halls wherein people wear glamorous gowns and expensive tuxedos. Then, came the modern era, the theme changes annually. This year's theme is "1950's Retro with the wild touch of 21st Century". Regardless, Care expects nothing but the typical nightlife. Booze. IDM. Hook ups.

However, no matter how insignificant the event may be, she shall go prepared. Her and Ivy's face-off shall commence tonight. There can solely be one brightest star. Certainly, Ivy won't hand it to her rival so easily. Superficial beauty is merely a part of the standards so that does not give Care the automatic victory.

Inside the triplets' room, Aster laid lazy in her bed tucked in her jammies. She languidly watched her sisters get ready for Camaraderie. Marigold wore a silky satin bralette paired with a skimpy poodle skirt and black stockings. On the other hand, Ivy was super chic in her fitted tube top with an emerald circle skirt. Both girls wore hand gloves but had different hairstyles.

Tonight, people will surely distinguish who is who due to the distinct outfits. Marigold had that flirty, seductive look while Ivy oozes her queenlike glamour.

Ivy directed a warning glare to Aster.

"Why aren't you dressed up?" She berated, hand on waist, "Aster, you mustn't bring your introverted attitude to college! What's the point of befriending Caress Aragon if you won't benefit from her social connections? How will you grow if you remain snuggled in your comfort zone?"

"I'm content with her friendship. And I hope you understand, too. When I refuse, Care won't ever pressure me.... unlike what you're doing right now."

Aster's subtle throw of shade shut them up. They left without saying another word. That bitch got a sharp tongue despite not meaning to, Marigold thought. It tempted her to stomp on her new batch of flowers today. Daisies.

They arrived at the Salvador mansion in no time. The family hosted the event courtesy to Lark's younger step sister who is also an incoming freshman. Her name is Madelaine Salvador, another aspirant climbing her way to the number 1 spot.

Marigold lagged behind or rather stuck at the parking lot doing things with Roux which was enough to incite the wild imagination of a person. Ivy went ahead, unbothered by the lack of company. Care shared the similar situation due to Aster's absence. Coincidentally, they crossed paths on their way.

Their eyes lingered on each other's get-up from head to toe. Care wore an off shoulder top to expose her beauty bones matched with her pastel colored poodle skirt. Her neck is adorned by a pearl bib necklace completely dressed to kill! Ivy was not planning to be squashed on the spot as she had something to gloat, too. A huge, vintage pair of pearl earrings dangled in her ears.

"You look... fine." Ivy complimented, intentionally using the simplest verb.

"Perfect is the right term. Very well, since you showed good grace, I guess I should say you look... like Aster." Care said then resumed her steps.

As much as Ivy loves to drag her hair for that ridiculous comeback, she chose to walk at the same pace. Not a mere insult could make her lose her cool, at least not this early at the game.

The doorman opened the entry door without warning.

"Holy cow!" they chorused.

The Salvadors are insane, their thoughts concurred.

They knew what to compare because they visited the household not long ago. The inside changed entirely! They adopted the Scandinavian interiors using pastel colors scheme, abstract paintings and sculptures hanging on carpeted walls, linoleum floorings and the upholstered furniture. And as if it barely suffices, a 57 Chevy was parked in the center. A vintage car for public viewing, perhaps. These extravaganzas were done for the Camaraderie's 1950s theme. Indeed, too much is an understatement.

"Finally, we've been waiting for you, ladies!" a suave voice exclaimed right behind them.

Uh-oh!

Before they flew like flies, Alder Legazpi wrapped his arms around their bare shoulders. The ladies regretted their outfit the second his palms squeezed their exposed skin there. He dragged them along till they all reached the lounge where people crowded around the makeshift stage. Although, what really caught their attention was the 12 feet Jenga tower on the side enough to bury a man alive if it collapses.

"Definitely an eyesore." Care murmured upon seeing girls in their fluffy skirts in different sizes and designs.

She just realized how there must be an unspoken contest for the fluffiest skirt among women. What a joke!

Alder barked a fake cough prompting people to jerk their heads towards them. She jolted a bit at their collective gasps as they gawked at her. Admiration was written in their faces.

Ivy ascertained she had the look of an ice queen when Care tucked the loose strands of her hair at the back of her ear then smiled with a perfect set of white teeth. She knew for a fact that was the brat's way to troll her more.

I cannot be the biggest loser anymore after losing the Belle of the Gala to her, Ivy asserted herself.

"Now, now, let's begin the Drunk Jenga, my friends!" Alder shouted as though his energy levels skyrocketed to the galaxies, "Pick up your number, single ladies!"

Ivy and Care instinctively diverted their menacing stare to the brazen guy. Yes, they crave the spotlight. However, never to the terms where they are used openly as tools for stupid men's entertainment!

"Single WHAT?! I didn't know the game had its own category." Ivy probed in her commanding tone.

He chortled but to them it sounded like a cuckoo choking.

"Now you know!" he replied so carefree with an annoying grinning face.

Afraid to be called out killjoys, they bottled their displeasure thinking 100 different ways to kill Alder Legazpi. Care wanted to snap when he even had the nerve to pull her arm so he could decide her position. She won't forget his cheeky behavior tonight.

Marigold with hair in a messy bun suddenly showed up beside her. Guessing what happened already harrows her head so she shrugs it off.

"What the heck!? You definitely have a boyfriend!" Ivy pointed out.

"Dunno what you mean. Flings don't count as bfs. However, if it helps you sleep tonight, we ended our attachments earlier." Marigold answered.

What did she ever expect, Ivy realized.

"The mechanics are simple. Take up a Jenga block and do whatever dare is written on it but because we respect the liberties of humanity, there's another option. Choose your drink from the counter then chug it up! So, now, begin! Pen, you're first."

Care automatically spotted the girl right next to Ivy.

"Geez, she joined." she murmured.

Penny carefully pulled up a block. Gosh! Anyone can notice her trembling.

"Strip?!" she read in a horrified pitch.