Chapter 4: The Changed

Natalie's POV

A few more months passed, and I no longer got involved in the gimmicks of my friends. I always explain to them. Maybe that's how I lost my appetite for my social life because of my experience with Jeff.

Because of that wine, I gave up the thing I am taking care of that should only be the man I love and love me. I’m not different from today’s teens because giggling and drinking alcohol instantly lost my virginity.

I can't do anything about that but I can change my lifestyle. I just focused on my study.

"Best huh, you've become studious now," Jasmine said while we were in the cafeteria of the university we studied at.

"Yes, best, so that my parents can benefit from studying with me."

I don't look at them while talking but I bend down as I turn the chopstick on what I'm eating spaghetti. Some of the students were silent, while two of our friends listened to what we had to say.

"Best, we're going to change too. Let's imitate Natalie," Rhea said along with their captive.

"Sshhh," I pressed my lips together with my index finger for them to lower their voices because it disturbs the other students here.

“Okay, best, behave

we are, "Glenny winked at me.

The two who were still raised gave a thumbs-up for me to see. After we ate we prepared ourselves for our next class.

We went to our classroom to wait for our next subject teacher. I heard my friends talking about me but I ignored them.

They care what they think about me. I just did my part as their friends to remind them that they should also study hard.

“Wow huh, I suddenly thought of things like this,” I said to myself but only in my mind.

It must be just because our parents are spending a lot of money. It is better to be rich, to be educated. I sat up straight as our professor entered.

As usual, I got home early in the afternoon because often in the morning I am fully loaded with my subjects. I once caught up with JD across from our house.

I often have him storytelling about various things. I enjoyed his stories.

After telling me any stories, I will go inside our house then he leaves again to find empty bottles and a newspaper to buy.

Until it became typical that I already knew him. He was a kind person as Mommy said. My parents never told me against talking to the scrap man who Is my friend now.

My friend continued to grow with John Dave. He is different from our statuses but just the same person. The state of life is not the basis for just choosing the friends we want.

I woke up early so I could go to school early because we have an examination test today. I'd better be there for thirty minutes so I can relax my mind before the test starts.

I got out of the bedroom after wearing my uniform and went straight to the garage. I got out of my car from the garage and then moved back out of the garage. I saw JD on the road pushing his cart. If I enter early, he is just as early to earn a living, before he enters his school.

I honked at him before finally exiting the subdivision. I got to our University quickly. After I parked my car in the parking lot I immediately went to the gate.

"Good morning sir," I greeted the guard with a smile.

“Good morning too, Miss Figueroa, you look more beautiful, huh?" he smiled in response to me.

"Thank you so much, sir, bye I'm in, see you later," I finally made it to campus.

"What a beautiful morning today!" I

sighed with happiness.

I don't know if anyone saw me smiling a little. I turned around and there were a few students but they weren't looking at me.

I got through others while reviewing under the tree with a long wooden chair or so-called bench.

I stopped and sat down there on the vacant bench. I looked at my wristwatch, it was only half-past seven in the morning. I'm in at eight o'clock for my class so I sit here on the bench first.

I pulled out my notebook to read my reviewer pointers again and review them. After fifteen minutes I decided to go to our classroom.

I haven’t seen my friends come yet, ah. It takes about fifteen minutes more before the time. I quickly reached our classroom on the third floor of the building. When I entered, our seats were already arranged.

I already knew where my seat was because the professor said it yesterday before we got home. There are a few who are already sitting and I think they are ready for the exam.

I was already sitting one after the other when my three friends arrived.

Because the area was quiet before, it became like a market as soon as the three of my friends arrived. Even my friends are noisy, of course, I'm one of them but only now would not make noise.

A friend of mine would have spoken when the professor came in. Suddenly the surroundings became quiet again.

“Sit properly and we start now the

exam," roared the voice of

Professor.

"Yes sir," we answered in chorus.

"Put your things under your chair, only a ballpen at the top of your seat," I heard the Professor say.

We silently followed what our professor said. Our exam is currently underway.

I feel like it’s just easy to answer the questions. I was the first to finish.

I quietly left the classroom carrying my belongings. I turned to my friends and I was surprised because they were sweating, there was air conditioning inside.

Glenny frowned. Rhea, on the other hand, looked like she was going to cry. Jasmine bent down but just stared at the answer sheet.

"Go straight, Miss Figueroa," I heard our Professor speak.

I nodded and finally left. The exam is until ten-thirty. I'm on my way to my third subject because the Professor has already synchronized our subjects with him.

I also easily answered the third so I was on my way to the fourth. This is the last so I can have a snack before going home. I rolled my eyes,

daring to see my friends but they have no shadows yet.

I saw another classmate. Until I met one of my classmates who was heading to the third subject.

“Your friends were left behind

on our first test," she said.

"Maybe they're having a hard time answering!"

I couldn't answer what she said, because I remembered they had a gimmick last night. I just raised an eyebrow left by my classmate. I have now proceeded to my fourth exam. I am the fifth one, and earlier others also from their other subjects. I took an answer sheet and sat down.

About thirty minutes ago I answered everything. Yes, I'm finally done today. I stood up to pass my answer sheet. I left there, I didn't have time to meet my friends and they were late.

I have no choice but to have a snack alone in the cafeteria. I walked down the building towards the cafeteria. I'm not sure they can be called because cell phones are forbidden to use when taking exams.

"I'll just text to give them a message later while I'm in the cafeteria". In my mind.

Arriving at the cafeteria, that was the only time I felt my hunger. I immediately choose my snack.

"Shall I have a snack or just rice?" I asked my brain.

Suddenly I smelled the scent of the caldereta, the taste seemed to make my stomach even more upset.

“Rice and a serve of caldereta, please,” suddenly came out of my mouth.

"Yes, please wait and I will serve."

"Thank you."

And I marched back to my table holding the fork and spoon. I started eating when my orders came.

I finished everything I ordered. I even caressed my stomach because of satiety. I was burping. Fortunately, I immediately covered my mouth. It's good that other students haven't heard me while eating here.

I would have gotten up when my friends arrived.

“Best, the test is very difficult to

let us go," Jasmine said as if in tears.

“Yeah, best, you’re still good you’re fast finished," Rhea added.

"Damn that gimmick," Glenny said.

I silently watched them,

because of their reactions to the exam that took place.

"It's easy, ah," I insert them.

“Anytime, it’s easy, just for you," Jasmine replied.

"Oh hey let's eat because I'm hungry," Rhea complained.

"Shall I still wait for you or will I go home first?"

“Wow, best ha you’ve changed, you haven’t always come with us when there's a gimmick. Now you'll leave us," Glenny's words seemed sullen.

“Huh, I already explained the reason,” I explained once again.

"Let her go because our friend might get tired of the exam too, you'll understand!" Jasmine defended me.

“Alright best, you go first. I know you woke up early for that exam,"Jasmine added.