CHAPTER THREE:Meeting the BOLD

“Oh no, I’m going to be late!” I groaned, rushing out of the bathroom with my towel wrapped tightly around me.

With only a few minutes left, I scrambled to get dressed black mini jeans skirt and a fitted white top, and white sneakers to match. I let my hair fall free, styling two neat braids from the sides near my ears. A gold hairband held everything together, keeping it from falling into my face.

After packing my school materials into my black bag, I stood before the mirror. My reflection looked exhausted, so I quickly applied a little makeup foundation, powder, a hint of lipstick, and shaped my brows. My “simple look” as I liked to call it was just gloss, powder, and soft baby curls.

An hour later, I was finally downstairs. I packed my breakfast into a bag because there was no way I could eat that much food right now. Dad had already given me permission to take his truck.

“He’s such a good man,” I smiled, slipping on my knuckles rings.

I was still admiring the car when my mind flashed ..Cutie hadn’t shown up, and I hadn’t seen her since I woke up.

“Should I go upstairs to check on her? Or just rush to school?” I muttered. “I’m already late, and Linda’s going to nag me to death.”

I quickly texted Mom:

Me: “Hey Mom, please check on Cutie.”

Grabbing my bag, I headed out and drove straight to Linda’s house.

When I got there, I honked the horn. “Linda!” I called through the window. “Hurry up, we’re late!”

Her voice came from inside. “I’m coming, Lily! Just give me a second!”

Moments later, Linda stepped out, brushing her hair behind her ear. She looked effortlessly pretty in her jeans and a white crop jacket.

“Wow, look at you,” I said teasingly as she got in. “You really took your time.”

“Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes as she fastened her seat belt. “And by the way, your car looks so damn good.”

“Right? It’s Dad’s. Try not to fall in love with it,” I said with a smirk as we pulled out of the driveway.

Linda laughed. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“I’m confident, not full,” I replied, laughing too.

“Anyway,” she said, “what about your stepsister, Kathryn?”

“She’s the same noisy drama queen as always,” I sighed. “She probably woke up yelling again this morning.”

Linda laughed. “That girl could win an award for talking.”

“Exactly,” I said, shaking my head.

We cruised down the street, music filling the car as the city woke around us.

“Please, drive slower,” Linda begged. “I don’t want to die young. I still have goals to achieve.”

“Like getting The BOLD to finally notice you? But which of the guys are you crushing on?” I teased.

She gasped. “Lily!”

“Relax,” I laughed. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“It better be,” she said, trying to sound serious but failing to hide her smile.

When we reached the school gate, heads immediately turned as we drove through. The stares followed us all the way to the parking lot.

“Why are they staring like that?” I whispered.

“Because we look hot,” Linda said with a wink.

We parked and stepped out, the attention making me blush a little. I tugged Linda’s hand. “Let’s go before they start drooling.”

Inside the building, we stopped at our lockers to grab our materials.

“Why were you walking like you were enjoying all those stares?” Linda teased.

“What’s wrong with that?” I said, grinning. “Maybe they’ve never seen two beauty queens before.”

“You’re impossible,” she said, laughing.

When we got to the lecture hall, there were still a few empty seats, so we chose the second row. According to what I’d heard, this hall was for all levels for “Inspirational course”, while the hall opposite was for other courses.

“Lily,” Linda whispered, “what’s your plan after class?”

“Nothing much,” I replied.

“There’s a party the level-three guys are throwing today for freshers. Are you coming?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe I’ll go to the general fresher’s party next week instead. Mom probably wouldn’t let me go to this one unless it’s school-organized.”

“Come on,” Linda urged. “It’ll be fun to meet new people.”

There was something in her tone that made me suspicious. “Linda,” I said, narrowing my eyes, “if you tell me the real reason you want to go, maybe I’ll consider it.”

She smiled nervously. “What reason? I just want to have fun! Jeez, what are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” I said, pretending to believe her.

She suddenly nudged me, motioning toward the door. Standing there were The DIVAS including Kathryn.

Kathryn wore a mini black leather skirt with a silky crop top jacket that revealed her flat stomach. Her sky blue sneakers and heavy makeup screamed attention. Beside her, Jessica wore a tight mini dress. They all strutted in confidently, soaking up the spotlight.

“Backbenchers,” Linda muttered under her breath.

The class was almost full. We had about five minutes before the lecturer would arrive, but Linda kept glancing toward the door.

“Hey, Linda,” I whispered, “did you forget your brain outside? Why are you staring at the entrance?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “I’m just waiting for the lecturer.”

“Sure you are,” I teased. “Serious student indeed.”

Then Linda froze. Her cheeks turned pink. I followed her gaze toward the doorway and that’s when they walked in.

Three guys.The BOLD they murmured around.

The air in the hall shifted instantly. Every girl began adjusting her outfit,intentionally popping out their boobs for attention , while the guys just gawked like they’d never seen competition before.

“Oh, great,” I muttered. “My gender is embarrassing me again.”

Even the DIVAS weren’t left out, each one subtly fixing her clothes and adjusting what doesn’t need adjustment,Kathryn zipped down her jacket reviewing only her bra to draw attention.

Kathryn stood up and confidently walked toward the first guy the one in front. He wore all black: a fitted shirt, dark jeans, and black sneakers. His hair was dreaded neatly, while the other two had low cuts and matching black outfits.

The guy with the dreads walked right past Kathryn without even looking at her.

“Now that’s impressive,” I whispered under my breath.

Linda leaned closer. “That’s them,” she whispered.

Before I could ask who she meant, our lecturer walked in. The class instantly went silent.

I turned around again, only to lock eyes with the guy on dreadlocks. My heartbeat skipped. He looked away casually and took a seat in the middle row just a few seats away from us.

“Honestly, Linda,” I whispered, “I don’t get why everyone finds that group of guys so attractive. They’re overrated.”

Linda smirked. “Lily, I’m tempted to say you’re blind.”

“I’m not,” I muttered, though my cheeks betrayed me.

But my eyes kept drifting back to him, and a thought whispered in my mind. Something told me this wasn’t just a random encounter.

And somewhere across the hall, in his mind… he thought the same.

FINALLY … I MEET HER.