Chapter One: The New Girl

“It’s so quiet.”

Gaby sat on the bench outside her university flat. There were several plants and a tree over the fence. However, its branches and shadows were in her flat.

It’s Sunday. Her father took her early to school. She had no idea how long she read on the bench. She checked her watch. ‘It’s a quarter past 6,' she thought. Dinner was coming, and she was alone in the apartment.

A little while later, she heard some noise from the apartment and thought about checking in to see if her roommates were around.

Gaby heard joyful voices inside the main entrance as she approached. She was anxious since this was her first time sharing a home. According to the book, most roommates don’t get along because of their personalities.

Gaby took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. As she walked in and closed the door, the three ladies just stared at her without saying a word.

She said, “Hello!” timidly.

Three ladies inside were screaming, “Oh my God!” Their sudden scream startled her.

A lovely lady approached her in shorts and a white T-shirt. Her haircut looked great on her and suited her features. She said she’s about 5’6" tall. She grabbed her arm and pulled her over to where the other two ladies were.

As she pulled her, she said, “Hello, are you our new housemate?”

“Yeah! I’m Gabrielle Shin Johnson.” Gaby says. “But I like Gaby short.”

“Oh, by the way, I’m Sasha De Leon,” she casually adds. “Her name is Arabella Anderson, but we usually call her Belle and Ashlee Alonzo.”

“Hello!” Gaby smiled and greeted the two.

The two ladies were checking out her face. They’re checking out her neck, breast, waist, and feet. She was feeling a bit uneasy. Belle has this beautiful long, ash-brown, wavy hair like Sasha. She also has a high-bridge nose, narrow lips, and huge breasts. Her hips are pear-shaped, too. She’s got some long legs! Gaby thinks the lady is 5’8”, just like her. Wow, she’s got some hot curves!

“You are so beautiful!” They cheered while staring at her.

“Yeah, it’s like you have no pores, and your eyelashes are amazing! Is that for real? Oh wow, your dimples are unique!“ said Ashlee.

Ashlee is sitting right next to Belle. She’s stunning with these gorgeous short, wavy locks. She’s not the least attractive of her two friends. She’s a Morena and tall, just like Sasha! Her Barbie-like physique is just so flawless! Gaby is really into athletics, stunts, and daredevil sports! But her cousin, on the other hand, always seems to gravitate towards beauty contests because of her flawless figure.

“Gosh, Gaby! You have such beauty!“ Ashlee complimented her.

She giggled at her. “You girls are beautiful as well. I like your body shape, Ashlee. You have a perfect shape," said Gaby. Ashlee is a head-turner. She’s not lying about that!

“But you’re perfectly fashioned, you know. Is my skin color appealing to you? The typical skin tone of a Filipino." Ashlee said. "My body is not as pretty as your body.“

“You’re pretty, Ashlee. Your skin color suits you nicely! Did you participate in a beauty contest?“ Gaby said.

“Yeah, you know, back in junior high, I won,” Ashlee said, smiling.

“When did you get here, Gaby?” Belle asked.

“A while ago,” she said.

“What course are you currently taking?” Sasha asked.

Gaby said, “I’m in my third year of studying civil engineering for my bachelor’s degree.”

Belle said, “I’m in my third year studying for a BS in tourism.”

“Oh, I’m in my third year of BS Business Administration, too!” Sasha exclaimed.

“BS in Political Science,” says Ashlee. “Year three, too!”

She was so close to becoming deaf when those three ladies yelled again. But she couldn’t stop smiling. Her roommates seem pretty cool. Even though she was scared, she got along pretty well with her housemates. She thinks they’ll be her best friends.

“Are you a supermodel, actress, or beauty queen? Just curious!“ Ashlee asked.

Gaby shook her head. “No. I wish to be one of them, but unfortunately, it is impossible.“ Gaby said, laughing.

“Why impossible? You qualify for it.“ Belle said.

Gaby chuckled. “Because it’s hard to be like them!”

“You’re one of the boys' sorts of girls, I guess,” Belle replied.

“That’s what makes you so sexy!” adds Sasha.

Gaby just smiled a little. “You look sexy, Sasha. I’m blessed to have such lovely housemates!”

“We are fully aware!” Belle laughed.

“Gaby, I’m not boasting, but we were university sweethearts. We were the female counterparts of the renowned guys groups. Almost all the boys at our university are fantasizing about us and want us to be their girlfriends,” said Ashlee.

“Really? Wow, you three are the sweethearts," asked Gaby.

“Yes, and there are four of us today. I’m excited to see the boys’ reactions tomorrow.“ Sasha said.

Gaby giggled. Who doesn’t fall for their beauty? They’re just so captivating! They became distracted as the door suddenly opened. Two guys showed up.

“Hello, ladies! You missed us, didn’t you?“ the man says.

“No.” Sasha merely said.

“Stop being a snob, Sasha. I know you have a crush on me," the other guy laughed.

“Excuse me!” Sasha raised a brow. “You are not my crush, and I shall never have a crush on you! Your confidence chews you up.”

The man chuckled. Their gaze wandered away to Ashlee’s side. “Oh!” said Matt and Riki in surprised reaction.

“I thought it was an apartment. God forbid, I saw an angel!” said Matt with a grin.

Matt reached out to Gaby and held her hand. “I’m not a good person, but God loves me anyway. He even sent my angel. Miss Beautiful, my name is Matt," he said.

Gaby smiled. “Gaby.”

“I just can’t help it, God; you’re so beautiful!” said Matt.

Ashlee and Sasha quickly pushed Matt, so he fell onto the couch. Another guy approached Gaby and held her hand.

“Hello, I’m Riki,” he said, holding Gaby’s hand. “Matt’s right. You’re so hot. You look so beautiful!”

“Hello! I am Gaby.“ Gaby replied.

Ashlee and Sasha pushed Riki, who even sat on Matt’s lap on the couch. “Jeez, dude! You’re so heavy!“ Matt complained.

Everyone laughed and chatted happily at the joke about Matt and Riki, who constantly quarreled with Sasha, Belle, and Ashlee.

-

"Are they the famous gentleman’s group, Heartthrobs?“ Gaby asked.

“Oh, Matt and Riki are just lovely, aren’t they? A lot of women and gay people find them attractive.”

Gaby’s family owns the university. Johnson only has two descendants. Her father is a well-known architect in Canada, Australia, Europe, and the US. Her mom is a prominent cardiothoracic surgeon in both Canada and Europe.

Gaby’s father designed Shin University (SU). It’s considered one of the country's most prestigious and expensive universities. The student flats can accommodate up to four people. The apartment has a nice living room, kitchen, four bedrooms, and a bathroom downstairs; each bedroom on the second level is meant for one person. The students felt at home there. Maintenance might call you to clean the unit whenever they need to.

“Oh yeah! There are four, and there are two others you haven’t met,” Ashlee said.

“Seriously?” said Gaby. “So there are four of them? Like F4?“

Sasha nodded. “Yes. Four handsome, rich guys.“ Ashlee giggling. “They have a luscious body that all women talk about.”

Gaby chuckled. “Really, luscious?”

Sasha giggled. “Of course. Clark and Dylan are even more handsome. They are the most famous of them. Well, Clark’s got a lot of fans.”

‘Dylan’s here? No way! He can’t be my best friend!‘ Gaby thought.

Ashlee said, “It’s easier to get in touch with Dylan than Clark.”

“Are they that famous?” said Gaby.

Gaby remembered her favorite Japanese manga, Hana Yori Dango.

“Yes. A lot of women ran into them.“ Sasha said, giggling.

Gaby couldn’t help but giggle at Sasha’s comment. “Which university are you from? It’s been a few months since class started. This place is perfect for you; it suits you.” Belle said.

Since her dad owns the place, they’ll accept her. “I was in Canada before. I’m interested in studying here.“ Gaby replied.

“Whoa, you’re international!” said Belle, laughing.

Gaby just laughed as well.