Chapter 2: First Impressions Hurt

Hannah’s POV

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my alarm ringing loudly beside my bed. For a few seconds, I forgot where I was. Then reality hit me.

New school.

New city.

New life.

I slowly sat up and looked around the dorm room. Maya was already awake, fixing her hair in front of the mirror, while Tiffany was still wrapped up in her blanket, sleeping peacefully.

“Good morning, Hannah,” Maya said cheerfully when she noticed me staring.

“Morning,” I replied quietly, rubbing my eyes.

“You look nervous,” she added, turning fully to face me.

I gave a small, shy smile. “Is it that obvious?”

Maya laughed softly. “First day nerves are normal. Trust me, you’ll be fine.”

Just then, Tiffany suddenly groaned from her bed and pulled the blanket over her head.

“Can you people stop talking so early in the morning?” she mumbled dramatically.

Maya rolled her eyes. “It’s already 8 a.m., Tiffany.”

Tiffany slowly sat up, her hair messy and her eyes half-closed. She looked at me and yawned loudly.

“So this is your first official day, huh?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well,” she said, stretching her arms, “welcome to survival mode. College can be stressful, but it can also be fun,if you find the right people.”

Her words made me feel a little better.

I got out of bed and started getting ready for my first day of classes. My hands moved slowly as I picked out my clothes,a loose sweater and a long skirt. It was the kind of outfit I always wore. Comfortable. Safe.

As I adjusted my sweater, I noticed Maya watching me carefully.

“You look nice,” she said sincerely.

I blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“Of course,” she replied. “Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”

Tiffany nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Confidence is everything.”

Their encouragement warmed my heart more than they probably realized.

As we walked across campus together, my eyes kept moving from one place to another. Students were everywhere,laughing, talking, and looking confident. I suddenly felt like I didn’t belong there.

Then I heard it.

“Why is she dressed like that?”

“She looks like someone’s aunt,” another girl whispered loudly.

My steps slowed.

The words hit harder than I expected. My chest tightened, and I felt embarrassment creeping up my throat. For a moment, I wanted to disappear.

Maya noticed immediately.

“Hey,” she said gently, touching my arm. “Ignore them.”

Tiffany frowned at the girls before turning back to me.

“People like that are insecure,” she said firmly. “Don’t give them power over you.”

I took a deep breath and forced myself to keep walking.

I had promised myself that this time would be different.

This time, I wouldn’t let people break me.

Zachary’s POV

I leaned against my locker, scrolling through my phone while students walked past me. The hallway was loud, but I barely noticed. Nothing about this place surprised me anymore.

“Party tonight?” Tyler asked, walking up beside me.

“Maybe,” I replied without looking up.

Adrian joined us, grinning. “You always say maybe and then show up late looking like a celebrity.”

I smirked slightly. “That’s because I am one.”

They both laughed.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my hand. I glanced at the screen and immediately felt my mood shift.

Dad.

I sighed quietly before answering.

“Hello?”

“Zachary,” my father’s voice came through, deep and serious. “I hope you’re not wasting time again. Remember, your future depends on discipline.”

My jaw tightened.

“I know,” I replied shortly.

“We’ll talk this weekend,” he continued. “There are important matters regarding the company that you need to understand.”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

The call ended, and I stared at my phone for a few seconds, frustration building inside my chest.

“Let me guess,” Adrian said, folding his arms. “Your father again?”

I nodded.

Tyler shook his head. “Man, that guy never lets you breathe.”

“It’s always about the business,” I muttered. “The company, the expectations, the future. Like my life already belongs to him.”

Adrian leaned against the locker beside me.

“You ever thought about just telling him what you really want?” he asked.

I let out a dry laugh.

“You don’t tell my father things,” I said.

“You obey.”

For a moment, silence settled between us.

Then, as we started walking down the hallway, my eyes briefly caught sight of a girl passing by. She was wearing oversized clothes and walking quietly beside two other girls.

Something about her stood out,not because she was loud, but because she wasn’t.

She looked nervous. Careful. Like she was trying not to be noticed.

I watched her for a second longer than necessary before looking away.

“Who’s that?” Tyler asked casually, noticing my glance.

“Don’t know,” I replied.

And honestly, I didn’t care.

Or at least, that’s what I told myself.