I was in a place... a very dark, cold, and lonely place.

I wandered around, not knowing where I was going. As I walked, a loud shout suddenly came, startling me. I was really scared and almost going crazy. I screamed for help, hoping someone was there, but there was nothing. I continued walking, trying to find an exit, but no matter how far I went, I only found myself in an endless abyss.

“I'm scared... help me... I want to go home.” I sobbed.

I wanted to cry, but no tears came. Then, I remembered that I had gone to bed after having lunch with my grandma. “Could it be... I'm dreaming?”

As the thought hit me, I hurriedly pinched myself. “It doesn’t hurt...? Then am I lucid dreaming right now?” As I was lost in thought, I suddenly heard the shout again.

“Again?” I said, fear creeping into my voice. I knew it was a dream, but it still gave me chills. I couldn’t stay afraid, though, so I gathered my courage and tried to find where the voice was coming from.

As I walked, I saw a silhouette in the distance. Moving closer, I realized there were not just one, but three people.

One figure caught my attention. She was kneeling, begging and crying, talking to someone. The other two were hard to see in the dark, but as I approached, I finally saw a tall figure. I was mesmerized.

“A boy? No... I think it’s an adult.”

His hair was as black as night, and his sharp amber eyes almost glowed in the darkness.

Beside him stood a beautiful blond girl with emerald-like eyes. They looked... perfect together.

As I studied them, I noticed the tense atmosphere. The man stared down at the woman on the ground with a cold expression. I felt scared looking at him.

His face radiated hatred and disgust.

I wondered what the woman did to earn such hatred.

Curious about what was happening, I moved closer. Since they didn’t seem to notice me, I shamelessly tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“That's weird,” I muttered, troubled. I couldn’t hear them despite being so close.

It’s really weird... I could hear the shouting earlier. I suspect there's something wrong with my hearing, or... maybe it might be because I’m dreaming.

I watched from the sidelines as their fight continued. To be honest, I really pitied the woman, desperately clinging to the man. Her disheveled hair hid her face, so I couldn’t see it clearly, but I could tell she was crying.

I subconsciously moved closer, and surprisingly, they still didn’t notice me.

“Wow... am I really invisible to them?”

Curiosity got the better of me. “Maybe now I can see her face.”

I inched closer to the woman, trying to get a better view in the dark.

But... when she lifted her face, I froze.

My body flinched at the sight.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Trembling, I whispered, “How? Why?”

“Wh-Why...?”

“Why... do you have my face...?”

Thud!—"Ouch!"

I jolted awake, flailing as I tumbled off the bed, hitting the floor with a sharp thump.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! my head..." I groaned, rubbing the sore spot, my body still half-tangled in the blankets.

My Mind was a fog, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl back under the covers—but when I squinted at the clock—it was already 7 in the morning. Panic suddenly surged through me

"Oh crap!"

Today is my first day in college, and I'm already late! I panicked and hastily changed my clothes, then rushed outside without eating breakfast.

'Screw this! I can't be late on the first day, or else I'm in big trouble with uncle if he finds out!'

I exclaimed with a helpless and panicked look.

I grabbed my bike and drove frantically to school as if my life is depended on it.

My uncle is a professor at the University I will be attending from now on, which is why I can't afford to be late.

My name is Elysia, only those close to me call me Sia. I'm an orphan, I don't have any memory of my parents since they left me when I was only a year old. But despite not having parents, I never felt alone because I have my grandma and uncle who cared and stayed by my side, they're always there for me when I needed them and I'm very much grateful for that.

Recently, I moved out from grandma's house because of College. Although uncle suggested I move into his apartment, I declined because I wanted to be independent.

And what if he gets a girlfriend later on? That would be awkward.

I arrived at school and fortunately, I arrived in time. I sighed with relief. As I looked for a seat, my nerves were all over the place being in a new environment with unfamiliar faces.

I'm a bit introverted so it's a bit hard for me to adapt in this new environment.

Despite my discomfort, I tried to composed myself. I found a spot and was about to take my seat when I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

Having heard my name called, I immediately turned around and as expected, it was Cyril, my bestfriend.

"Cyril! You're studying here?!" I said with excitement.

"Yeah"

I was happy that my one and only friend and I will be studying in the same University.

"But why didn't you tell me?" I said to her with annoyance.

"I didn't pass the entrance exam at my dream school, that's why."

"Tsk! I'm disappointed"

"On what? Because I didn't pass or because this University isn't my second option?"

"..."

"You...!"

"Pft! Hahaha....!"

"Hahaha"

We both laugh.

As we were chatting, the professor walks in, so we quickly stopped and settled into our seats.

It's really starting. The professor stands at the front and starts calling out the attendance. When my name was called, I raised my hand, same with the others.

"Oh dear, it's the first day of school, and there are already quite a few students arriving late. Should I start deducting points on this people?"

I shudder at the professor's words, remembering how close I was to being one of them. It looks like she's pretty strict.

What rotten luck that she's my first class professor, especially since I tend to be late to my first classes, even back in high school.

"Sia, you really need to start waking up earlier. You always run late in your every first classes."

Cyril whispered to me, seemingly worried for my sake.

"You don't have to say that... I know." I smiled at her, but inside, I was already crying in fear of our teacher.

Murmurs filled the room after the professor’s statement, and it seemed like everyone else was just as surprised.

The murmurs grew louder, but they were cut short when the professor slammed her hand on the desk, instantly drawing all attention to her.

"Let's start with our class now."

'My goodness, this person is really strict.'

"I'm scared..."

My bestfriend clung to me as she trembles. The professor opened the book and said to the class...

"Get your books and open to page eighteen—"

"Sorry I’m late."

A sudden deep, hoarse voice cut through the room, silencing the low chatter as heads turned in unison toward the door.

A tall, striking guy with tousled black hair stood in the doorway, looking completely unfazed. The girls around me instantly perked up, and soft squeals echoed through the class.

"Eeek! Who is he? He’s so freaking handsome!"

"I’m glad I enrolled here!" someone whispered breathlessly.

Of course, my best friend was no exception. Her eyes sparkled as she shook me so hard I nearly fell out of my chair, my head spinning.

I can't help but find myself drawn to him, which honestly says a lot about how handsome he is. But then—

BANG!

The room fell silent again, our professor slammed her book onto the desk and she glared to us as if saying ‘you're all too noisy.’

She later on turned her icy stare toward the guy.

"Don’t just stand there. Find a seat so we can start."

The professor spoke in a cold tone before returning her gaze to the book.

Without a word, the guy strode into the room. The girls looked expectantly, hoping he would sit beside them. Some even started to push away their seatmates, while others boldly offered him a seat next to them.

'Wow... you can't see this every day.'

Well, can't blame them, that's just how handsome he is.

I decided to ignore them and instead took out my book and pen to take notes from today's lesson. As I was just about to open my book, I felt someone’s presence beside me. I glanced up, and my heart nearly stopped.

'You’ve got to be kidding me!'

It was him.

'What the hell is he doing here?!'

"This seat’s free, right?"

He spoke, looking right at me with a steady gaze.

I blinked, completely thrown off.

Murmurs buzzed around the room, and I could practically feel the daggers being thrown at me by the girls. That definitely made me shiver.

'Of all the vacant seats in the room, you pick this one at the back? Seriously?!'

Sure, I wouldn't mind, but with all the stares coming from the whole class, I wouldn't take the risk!

Before I could say anything, my best friend, still starstruck, chimed in. "Y-Yes! It’s free. All yours!"

I shot her a bewildered look. 'Girl, are you kidding me right now?! Can't you see all the jealous and angry glares those girls are throwing at us?!'

But it was already too late. He sat down.

"Thanks."

'Great. Just great.'

The glares from around the room sharpened, and I could almost feel the heat of their jealousy burning holes into my back.

Help...

An hour was almost up, and freedom was so close I could taste it. I just had to survive a few more minutes of this class, then I could finally escape the perilous situation I found myself in.

I was ready to bolt and had already packed my stuff when the teacher, dropped a bombshell that shattered my sweet, sweet escape plans.

“I know this is your first day in college, but that doesn’t mean I won’t assign you work. I’m giving you an assignment, and since it’s the first day, you’ll partner with your seatmate. Got it?”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt my heart sink right into my shoes. The last thing I needed was to be partnered up with someone I barely knew—especially not the guy sitting next to me, who was practically a magnet for attention.

A shiver ran down my spine as the air seemed to thicken with an icy tension.

When I glanced around, I was met with a sea of glaring eyes, each pair burning with a mix of jealousy and anger. It felt like their stares could pierce right through me, and the tension was almost suffocating.

Their expressions were a blend of clenched jaws and narrowed eyes, some girls crossing their arms as if to restrain themselves from lunging forward.

Others exchanged sharp whispers, their voices laced with irritation, while a few looked like they were barely holding back sneers. The whole room felt like a storm was brewing, and I was stuck right in the eye of it, facing the wrath of girls who seemed ready to pounce at any moment.

‘Ugh… Why? I didn’t even do anything wrong!’

I glanced at the professor one last time, hoping to say something, but before I could even open my mouth, she was already out the door, leaving me stranded in this hostile situation.

‘No! Ma’am! Don't leave, give us all the assignments you want, but why do our partners have to be our seatmates?!’

I shot a glance to my right and there he was—the guy who seemed to exude effortless charm with that laid-back expression. He was the type who could make heads turn just by breathing, and I had a sinking feeling his popularity came with a hoard of admirers.

He wasn’t just honey; he was like a whole flower garden attracting swarms of bees! And I was right in the middle of it.

I could already picture the chaos. The girls would swarm around him like bees around a flower, each vying for his attention while I stood there like a complete outsider.

And let’s be real, I wasn’t looking to get stung by any stingers today. The thought of becoming the unwanted third wheel in this social circus made my skin crawl. Why was this happening to me? I take back my statement about him!

‘What kind of luck is this?’

“Oh my... I’m so jealous,” Cyril whispered, leaning in with a mischievous grin.

“Getting a hot, ha~ndsome partner on the first day? What a blessing...!”

‘Blessing? Are you kidding me? My life expectancy just shortened because of this assignment, and you’re calling it a blessing?!’

I shot her an annoyed look, and she quickly backed off, hands up in mock surrender.

“O-Oh dear, would you look at the time? I, uh, need to rush to my next class...”

Under my death glare, she slinked away, mumbling excuses I could see right through.

‘Next class? We only have one class this morning, you liar!’

She hurried out of the room without looking back, leaving me behind.

I felt utterly betrayed—how could she just abandon me, surrounded by this swarm of jealous girls?

As a few students left, some girls stayed behind, still eyeing us with curious, lingering glances.

With others already leaving, I decided to make leave too. I grabbed my bag, took one last look at my so-called "partner," and headed for the door.