Chapter 2

Red's POV

Going to school as a college student is challenging and very stressful, especially now that I am a transfer student. I don't want to transfer to another school, it will only take new hectic adjustments, new environment, and perhaps another huge disaster —but this is what mom wants. This place is also nearer in our new residence that we have acquired six months ago.

It's not the best institution though. My previous school is way better than this. Although Sky University is being prominent in the country and a top performing school, a student can still decide whether it's a good school or not —and in my case, my previous school is still the best because of my memories and friends there.

"Trust me, you'll be fine honey." she comforted when she noticed I was too silent. I only gave her a reassuring smile.

Mother earth knows best, right?

I opened the passenger seat and hopped out in my mom's latest Toyota car. I shut the door behind me with somehow a heavy heart and looked up at the tall building right before my eyes.

The facade of the school is way bigger than I had expected based from the picture.

I heaved a deep sigh and somehow grateful that I didn't forget to bring my class schedule. I tapped my Identification card and my details flashed on the mini screen as I entered the premier university in the country. If I say huge then it really is. I looked up at the tall buildings and just amazed how it approximately touches the first layer of clouds. The building was thoroughly built with expensive steel and was embedded with silver glasses. The mixture of whites and gray colours just made it look more spectacular.

Complacent of wearing a pair of white converse shoes, dark-fitted skinny jeans, and white v-neck tee shirt, I walked down the hallway while holding the strap of my black jansport backpack, whereas, the other hand was holding some books I had not touched pages.

Glancing at my surroundings, I see students in every corner. Chit-chatting, conversing, laughing, and catching up with their circle of friends like it's been too long that they didn't see and talk to each other.

My eyes landed on the bunch of sexy It girls I can say. I can't deny how sexy, gorgeous, and elegant they are. Wearing fancy outfits, high heels, and expensive shoulder branded bags. I can say they are one of the campus rich sweethearts. No wonder a lot of boys are oggling at them. Wearing uniforms is not yet mandated because it's the first week of class, that's why they pulled out the best outfit in their closets.

I looked to my left. A group of students wearing their eyeglasses and they were holding thick books. Obviously, they are into academics —the bookworms and the nerds. I like their types, but I don't consider myself as one of them.

I returned my eyes to the front only to see a group of boys. Other than their jersey on top, pair of pants and sneakers, they have no other thing they bring aside from the male at the center who has a basket ball sandwiched in his arm. I think they are in the athletic club. Tall, masculine, dark, and handsome. Their arrogance and pride are shouting on their aura.

Noise, whispers, and gasps started to dominate the area. People started to crumble and girls are drooling over them. Too bad. They were already staring at me.

I caught my breath and quickly disconnected my eyes on them. I hastily sprinted into the other side of the hallway. Why did they stare at me like that and why was I even staring at them? 

Blood gushed instanly on my cheeks, I shove my thoughts aways and continued my room search. This is such a big school where only rich people can afford. I shouldn't be here though at the first place, but then again, mom knows best. I could not argue more because they're the ones who pay my tuition.

I awkwardly search for every department's sign board, looking for the pharmacy department. I should have brought a school map, but then again, I didn't attend the school orientation last week.

Students started to take glances at me, but I just shrugged it off. As I walked along the hallways, passing by the locker area are men catcalling. Not assuming anything, I strode off fast, but I ended up bumping into someone's chest. I touched my forehead while looking down. I didn't dare to look up to see whom I was bumped into, but I knew it's a boy because of his stance. Instead, I just softly spoke my apology.

"Sorry." I ducked my head when I apologised because I heard people mumbling in disgust and so I immediately scooped my things that were sprinkled on the floor.

I really hate this. I was so clumsy and idiot which is a typical of me. Sweat began to drip off my face. I was like a lost wet rat surrounded by wolves. I stood up while still ducking my head as if I made a huge mistake. "I'm sorry again."

The consequence of not attending the orientation last week, I was being lost. I asked all of the janitors that I passed by but I ended up going to different hallways. So it's been twenty five minutes have passed to finally find my room and expectedly, I'm already fifteen minutes late for my Organic Chemistry class.

After debating on my thoughts whether to attend the first class or not, my tiny brain cell decided the first option.

Organic Chemistry Room. It reads.

I knocked the door reluctantly as my hands were trembling due to edginess and then decided in enormous reluctance to enter the classroom full of new faces. I caught everyone's attention and gulped hardly trying to ease the embarrassment I was feeling at the moment —wishing the floor will break apart and eat me whole.

This is awkward.

"G-ood morning... I'm s-orry for being late," I didn't expect to stutter a lot. I felt obnoxious and I was trying to calm my pounding heart.

"I j-ust had a hard time finding the way to this room," I reasoned out, which was true.

Laughter began to fill the room.

"Why does she stutter so much?"

"She was like about to cry,"

"She should have just entered in silence and sat down,"

"She's a freak."

"Weirdo."

"New target."

That were the few murmurs I heard from most of them.

"I assume that you're new here, so I'll let you pass this time for being late on your first day miss," a hint of sarcasm is visible in the professor's voice. "Next time you're getting late again, don't dare to come and attend my class! Is that clear?" she raised her voice with authority and I just bowed down my head. I stared at the floor as humiliation flowed over me.

"I u-nderstand miss, I'm sorry," I apologised as I looked at her.

"You're interrupting my class. You sit down!" she demanded and turned to face the whiteboard again and write some structures and variables which I guess are all about chemistry that just gave me an abrupt headache.

I turned my head around and a lot of eyes are still glued on me. I felt that all my blood arouse towards my cheeks that made it rosy pink. I spotted a vacant chair at the back and I immediately stormed towards it. I sat down and settled my bag on the chair, but when I turned to face front to listen, many of the students' eyes are still on me, especially, the boys.

"Everyone, pay attention here! All ears!" The fat and short female yelled with a deadly expression all over her, which I guessed is our professor for this subject. "After the lecture, we will have a fifty item quiz," she crossed her arms over her chest with a chin up posture, trying to detect if there would be anyone who will protest.

What? Really? The semester just started! 

The pretest was really difficult as expected it was. I really dislike chemistry and the professor added to its level of difficulty. She's just too fast in her lecture that I could barely catch up and take down notes. I only understood a little from the discussion because I didn't able to listen to her introduction.

I was very stressed and I panicked a lot in the exam as I ended up not confident with my answers. I heaved a relief sigh when the bell finally rang. I stood up from my chair, ready to leave the room when a beautiful slightly curled blonde hair approached me. She's approximately on the same height as me, but I'm taller than her with an inch.

"Hi," she shyly greeted.

"Hi," I casually responded, giving her a half smile.

"By the way, I'm Colleen Dela Peña," she reluctantly introduced herself and smiled sweetly. "I'm also a transferee student from Immaculate Academy and you are?" she then take out her right hand ready for a shake.

"Oh! I'm Red Vera," I responded then we shook hands. "from Ivory High,"

"I see. Is it okay if we'll go together to the next class? I think I might get lost again," she said with a sheepish smile plastered on her thin lips. "I don't know anyone here so please," she pleaded and her eyes are waiting for my agreement.

"Yeah of course. I don't know anyone here as well. I was also praying that someone would accompany me," I admitted. We both laughed and headed outside the room, going for our next class which is just a minor.

"Why don't we just not attend the next class? Besides it's just a minor subject," Colleen suggested and heaved a weak sigh as we hailed down the stairs.

"Sounds good. The previous major really sucked. Did you ace the quiz earlier?" I asked.

"Me? Are you sure you're asking me?" she pointed herself in disbelief. "Guess what? I've only answered five items and I think I have also five mistakes," she said holding onto the rail of the stairs like she's in a total despair. "It's really difficult. I think it's not this late to change a course,"

I don't know if I will laugh or not by her reaction.

"I've answered three items on the structures, and I'm also sure that I wronged them all," I stated a fact and a hint of hope illuminated on Colleen's face.

It was like she's happy hearing also the same agony she'd been feeling at the moment. We both stared at each other and can't help ourselves but to burst out laughing.

Later on, we've then realized and decided to attend the next class even if it's just a minor. 

"Get one-fourth sheet of paper and write down your strengths and weaknesses. I'll give you ten minutes for that activity," The teacher instructed the class.

We sat down behind. My favourite place where no one can talk behind my back in any case and where I can see the whole view. Colleen sat to my left and a guy who sounded asleep was on my right corner. I was in the middle of them both. The guy was wearing a thick hoodie jacket and his manly scent captured my nostrils. He's sleeping in his arms and I can't see his face since he faced the white wall. His hoodie was also covering his head. I wonder why the teacher was not mad for having a sleepy head inside her class.

I was not surprised that there are new faces in the four sided room since it's a minor class.

"Red? Have any piece?" Colleen asked in a low, somewhat inaudible whisper as possible so that the teacher can't hear.

"I've already used it earlier. I only brought one paper," I said it with low tone.

We both searched for someone that we can ask for help, but nobody sat in front of our chair or beside,  because they skipped the seat second row from the last seat that we are currently in. Basically, Colleen and I, and the guy beside my right are only on the last row.

Colleen stood up and asked our classmate for a paper, but she was just being ignored with rolling eyes. Colleen asked the other, but the girl just snobbed her. Before the teacher caught Colleen, she went back to her seat.

"Selfish brats," she angrily slumped back on her seat and rolled her eyes. But her eyes quickly changed as she pouted as if she's like going to kiss an imaginary friend.

"What?" I was confused by her look.

That's when I realized that she's pointing her pouty lips to the guy right beside me and her implications won't do. She wanted me to ask that guy. There's no way in hell!

I immediately shook my head.

"No way!" I said without a voice coming out.

"You have five minutes left already," the teacher timed, making us anxious. I started to panic honestly.

I left no other choice. My fingers were trembling. I poked him softly and very slightly as possible, but he didn't flinch. I poked him again a little bit harder this time and that made him move a bit and enough for him to be awaken. He straightened from his chair and the moment he turned to face me, I gulped real big hard since my throat went dry in an instant.

He then turned to face me that took my breath away.

I lost my sanity when a sleepy-eyed, perfect pointed nose, pouty pinkish wet lips, and a sophisticated demeanor faced right in front of my sinful eyes. An icy blue eyes with thick long eye-lashes stared at me, leaving me in great awe. He literrally took my breath away. 

I don't know how long I was staring at him to be able to define instantly how perfect his face was.

I had never seen someone this perfect. He's like an angel sent from above. He made my heart melt and I could feel my cheeks turned bright red.

The second time around, I wish that the floor will break apart and eat me whole.

"What?" he said grumpily in a masculine voice with a mixture of huskiness in it.

I searched for words, but I couldn't formulate any wise athoughts since my mind and eyes pasted to how godly his face is.

"Okay, pass your papers now!" The teacher announced and I could not move still.

"N-othin-g." Is all I could answer, yet I stuttered pretty bad like an obvious idiot.

"Tsk." he shook his head in disbelief and his lips seemingly turned up into a daring sneer. "Next time, don't ever dare to wake me up from my sleep, newbie. Remember this face."