CHAPTER 1

"Good morning, my dear princess please be awake. You have class today. It's the first day, hey. You will get up or I will pour some water on you?"

I turned around and woke up to my alarm that is so loud; I want to throw him - none other than my very annoying older brother. He is the head engineer now in a company with a partnership of our family and he's at the right age but still does not want to settle down.

"Brother, don't. I'm getting up. Your noise sounded like a bird," annoyed, I got out of bed and looked at him.

"It would be good if you get up, I would have poured water on you," he even laughed ah. I would have tried to catch him but he quickly left the room. He'll get ready when he came home later.

I picked up my cellphone on the side table of the bed and looked at the time. I'm getting late. It's already 6:30 in the morning and my class starts at 7 am. I ran to the bathroom of my room and quickly took a shower. After I took a bath, I went to the closet to get dressed.

When I got out of the closet, I took my bag and cellphone down to the kitchen. I was wearing my pencil-cut blue skirt with white-collar sleeves top, maroon necktie, and a waistcoat partnered with heels.

"Hi everyone! Good morning," I greeted them with energy as I entered the kitchen while smiling.

"Wow, that was so energetic, darling," mommy looked at me and I laughed at what she said. I just kissed her cheek and walked over to dad.

"Are you inspired? I think you have a boyfriend," said daddy as he sipped his coffee and I hugged him.

"I have---" 

What I was going to say was cut because my very good older brother appeared.

"A boyfriend? Oh dad, she still can't. Her lover will pass me first. What luck they have?" he put his arm around my shoulder but I pulled it off. I just rolled my eyes at him. Bro, seriously?

I'm annoyed, "I was trying to explain here and you interrupt my moment. Are you a ghost? You suddenly popped out of nowhere. Ghosted by his woman," I answered back to him.

He was about to answer but mommy preceded him who was still laughing on the side while watching the two of us, "Oh, stop, you both look like a dog and a cat."

"Caius accompanied your sister at school. Be careful when driving a car. Oh go ahead, you might be late," I sighed, bidding goodbye to mommy and daddy, and went out of the house.

I got in the backseat of the car and my older brother in the driver's seat followed. I was quiet while we're on the ride and I decided to think how will be my first day at Arellano University. I'm so nervous and half of me is excited because literally, I'm just a transferee in that school.

My daydream stops when Kuya called me, "You're here. Take care. Good luck on your first day and?" he said as I got out of the car. Psh, I already memorized that. Always.

"And avoid boys. Thank you, take care," I smiled at him.

I walked down the hallway to find the registrar and get my schedule. As I walked, I was amazed by what I saw. The beauty here. Very refreshing surroundings. I saw many students compiled on the grounds, they were so happy. I hope I have a friend here too. The real friend would have been. I hate toxicity when it comes to friendship.

I was looking for the registrar's office but suddenly--"Ouch!" I bumped into someone.

I held my head because of the pain of the collision. What the hell. I'm going to be late. I looked at who ran, a man wearing black slacks, white long sleeves covered with waistcoat, and a maroon necktie. Wtf. Who is this?

"Sorry, are you okay?" said the man as he approached me to see if I was okay.

"I-I'm fine, stay away from me," I fixed myself and faced who this person is.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you right away," he sarcastically said.

Wow, it looks like I'm a little person. I'm so pissed at this man. I do not have time to argue with him.

"Who are you? Moreover, excuse me this isn't the playground to play around you dumbass. This is a school hallway," I rudely said to him as I fixed my messy hair. Many are looking at us, but I don't care.

He sighed, "By the way, I'm--" I did not let him finish speaking and ran to the registrar.

I was catching my breath to get there and showed my ID to the admin.

"2nd floor of this building that is your room and this is your schedule. Welcome to AU," the admin said directly while looking at me and handed me a paper.

"Okay, thank you," I smiled at her as I get the information I needed.

I went up to the second floor using the stairs and the solemn surroundings. As I was walking, I saw my assigned room. Okay, this is it coconut!

As I enter the room, all eyes are on me. Shocks. Why? I do not know how I will respond to them. I smiled at them and walked through the vacant seat of the room. I put my things on my chair and look at their smiling faces. The room is cold, it's air-conditioned.

"Goodmorning Bachelor of Arts in English students, I'm your professor for today's schedule." 

Awkwardness saved by our professor, yehey!

"For today we have a new transferee, Ms. Claire Althea Perez." Gladly said by our professor.

Am I going to introduce myself? Omygosh, I'm not prepared.

I stood up from my seat and walks in front of everyone. I faced them all.

"Wonderful morning everyone, I'm Claire Althea Perez. I'm a transferee here so I hope I can catch up with y'all. Thank you and have a good day," I said straight and smiled at their reactions that seemed to admire my speech. Eh?

"Wow, that was a great accent, Claire. Anyway, let's go to our topic for today," I smiled at my professor and seated back in my chair.

I was just listening to the discussions for half a day now and I felt happy to be here in my new environment, AU. New memories. New people and a new happiness.

"Class dismissed everyone. See you tomorrow." 

I have only been listening for a long time at the lessons, it's to go home. I quickly fixed my things and retouch my face.

I stood up and walked out of the room. I'm walking down to the ground floor when I heard the squealing and shouting of girls. When I went down, I was searching for who they were talking about, maybe an artist or something.

"He's handsome."

"There he is."

"That's my baby!"

Huh? Who? I'm super clueless. I was about to walk away from those squealing girls but suddenly they pulled me out of the way so they could run to whom they're squealing. What the freak.

I was curious at that time and I followed them to see who it was. When I got there, my eyes suddenly narrowed. Wait, that's the person I bumped into earlier. He was wearing a blue jersey and sneakers. Why are women teasing him? Is he famous? What do I care? Duh.

While I was looking away, my phone suddenly rang and I checked who the caller is. It is my brother. I answered immediately so I might not be scolded.

"Where are you? I'm already here at the parking," Suddenly he said on the other line.

"Yes Kuya, on my way," I answered directly and turned off the call. I turned my back and walked to the parking lot.

I was in the parking lot and I immediately saw my brother's car. I opened the car and went inside. This day is tiring.

"So how was your first day at AU? Do you have already a boyfriend?" I'm shocked by his question.

"I said I don't have a boyfriend, you're annoying," I crossed my arms over my chest and I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Chill sis. I didn't even know," I just pursed my lips while he's driving and plugged in my earpods to avoid his nonsense chitchats.

About minutes of the ride, we have arrived. I quickly opened the door of the car and went down with my belongings. When I entered the house, my parents are not there yet. Maybe they were still in the office of our publishing company. My dad is the CEO there while mommy is a politician where she is the mayor of Sampaloc, Manila. I decided to go up to my room, fixed my things, and change my uniform into a comfy one.

"Haaaaaay, I'm tired," I jumped on my bed and close my eyes.

I closed my eyes for a few minutes and I thought of that man again. Argh, why is everything so exhausting? Who is he? Why do women treat him like that as they craved for him? The hell. Don't get attached, Claire. You're a graduating student, focus. On the other hand, maybe yes? Destiny, I'll hold on to my fate in you. I don't want to get hurt, please. I hope not.