Freshmen gathered in the enormous auditorium of Aurum University(AU). General orientation is on going. Students drifted far from the announcements, as they appeared transfixed with sneaking glances at Care sitting together with the Nguyen triplets who were naturally eye catchers. No wonder they automatically rise to campus celebrities on their first day.
The Prefect of Discipline(POD) head discussed the same old set of school rules upstage. Some slept discreetly, a few managed to use their phones while many chit chatted with their group of friends in hushed voices.
Always competitive with everything, Ivy and Care listened to the discussion because both ladies intend to run for the first year representative seat.
Before boredom became the death of her, Marigold poked Ivy's shoulder again and again until she gave her attention.
"What time will this end, old maid?" she asked for the nth time.
Ivy glared at her briefly before resuming to look ahead. Failing to get the response she wanted, Marigold pestered Care next. As much as Care liked to shout at her smiling face, she held back considering the dozens of spectators they have.
"How could this blabbermouth act as if we are soul sisters?!" she inwardly protested.
She should have seen it coming when she met up with Aster earlier. Ivy and Marigold tagged along. They seemed hellbent on pretending they are the inseparable lovey-dovey triplets which they are frankly not! As a matter-of-fact, she almost puked at the sight.
"Goddess, listen! I heard you defiled Mister Virgin." Marigold teased, poking her hip.
Care kept her face straight though her cheeks flushed red because last night's humiliation flooded back to her mind.
"Oh, is that what you spread, gossip queen?" she retorted.
Marigold chuckled. Hope you choke, she thought.
"Too insignificant to share if I weigh the consequences. Shaming a Salvador equals hanging your head with a noose, remember?" Marigold whispered back.
She was about to say a nasty comeback but the microphone feedback reverberated around the entire auditorium causing their attention to drift back to stage. Right there, Eliseo Manaloto stood before the podium resting his muscular arms on the raised desk. He was clad in a white neat button down shirt with his sleeves rolled up just below his elbows. His pitch-black eyes glowed vicious more than ever! No one, not even Caress Aragon could deny the authoritative charisma he gives off.
He silenced the whole student body effortlessly!
This is the first time Eli and her attend the same school. She was in an all girls institution all her life! Dealing with boys worried her over summer vacation but what she feared the most is Eli slamming his superiority to her face. Now her worst nightmare did materialize before her very eyes!
"Neither blood nor roots..." Eli said.
"Solely on my soiled grounds." some people on the front row added with confidence.
Cliché start, Care scorned. The statement is the AU's maxim. Her father, an alumni of the university, explained it means defiance to one's status or family name in order to stand on one's own feet. It never truly made sense to her.
Why have a hard time climbing towards success if a person has connections to make things easier?
"Kudos, freshmen! Today marks the beginning of your college life. Let me be of aid to all of you this year as president of the Student Council, Eliseo Manaloto. Supposedly, I am to give an inspirational speech but I trust that you shall find your own inspiration or rather I just don't intend to keep you for long. Just remember, AU is a home for those who aspire to hone their potentials while a prison to those who merely plan to go along with the tides. See you at the Camaraderie!" he ended so dignified then even bowed after.
His display of humility drove her nuts, triggered more by the sound of applause filling the auditorium that nearly made her ears bleed.
Somebody stood briefly in the left row and shouted, "I wuv u, Pres!"
Eli was still descending on the staircase so his lopsided smile never escaped from prying eyes. It shook the female crowd. He literally raised the hype on the roof.
"Pathetic." Ivy and Care uttered in unison.
Disgusted by the fact that they spoke at the same time, they scoffed at each other.
"Quit copying me, copycat!" Ivy berated.
"Oh, I can read minds now?" Care mocked.
Marigold intercepted in the middle, putting her arms around each of their shoulders.
"I'd never get tired of the fiery banters! Can't wait for the Camaraderie laters!" she squealed.
Camaraderie is a welcome party for AU freshies. Many years ago, the common tradition was to socialize through dancing all night long in expansive halls wherein people wear glamorous gowns and expensive tuxedos. Then, came the modern era, the theme changes annually. This year's theme is "1950's Retro with the wild touch of 21st Century". Regardless, Care expects nothing but the typical nightlife. Booze. IDM. Hook ups.
However, no matter how insignificant the event may be, she shall go prepared. Her and Ivy's face-off shall commence tonight. There can solely be one brightest star. Certainly, Ivy won't hand it to her rival so easily. Superficial beauty is merely a part of the standards so that does not give Care the automatic victory.