Jennie gulped the hard lump down her throat as the humongous barbed gates of the university opened to let the car through.
"This place is huge, are you sure this is a university ?" uncle James spoke while driving the car, his eyes jumping from one lavish building to another that lined both sides of the road.
"Dad this is the best university of the country, it is like a hi-tech town in itself, it has everything." Jennie's cousin Kiara who was sitting in the back seat spoke enthusiastically "I hope I could get a full scholarship like you next year Jennie. Just imagine you would be making friends with celebrities and business tycoons. I envy you so much you would be studying at the same school as Jimmie Wang can you believe it. This place's just amazing." she spoke in one breath.
Jennie gave a weak smile to her overly optimistic cousin.One day after her admission Jennie had casually checked the regular fee structure of the university when she came across a figure of millions of dollar. Jennie was so surprised that she had to check again to reassure herself it was the admission fee of a college and not the population of a country. So being around such students who could afford such extensive fee's made her a bit anxious rather than excited.
'Stay away from arrogant rich brats, and stay low-key' she repeated the two rules she had made for herself to have easy two years of her life.
After ten minutes of drive and countless "Wowwss" by Kiara, the car came to a halt near humongous castle like buildings.
Freeing herself from the seatbelt Jennie stepped off the car and checked the buildings that were in her block in complete awe. The most astounding part was that there were as many such buildings as there were courses the university provided.
"I still cannot believe this is a university" Jennie heard her uncle speak followed by the opening of the trunk "Your luggage that we sent a week back must have arrived in your room by now. Here is your remaining one." he took a small bag from the trunk and Jennie took hold of it.
"Jennie darling will you be alright here ?" her uncle asked a little tensed as he looked at a group of passerby girls wearing long heels and holding designer hand bags.
"Yes, obviously uncle. " Jennie replied putting up her brightest smile trying to ease her uncle's nerves. She herself wasn't sure if she would be ok but she did not let her words and her smile reflect her anxiety.
Jennie had been already living with her uncle for the past four years since her father's death. Her uncle and aunt had treated her like her own daughter. Just months back Jennie stumbled upon bank documents that mentioned the huge loan uncle Thomas had taken. So she did not wanted to burden him any further and try to get rid of his loan as soon as possible.
"Jennie....I will miss you soo much." Kiara came from nowhere and gave her a bear hug to Jennie, while crying her eyes out. "I... will call you.. every day....I am already missing you...."
Jennie looked at her sister, she was really innocent and pure like some piece of earth that was yet to be discovered by human malice. What she felt was clearly reflected in her actions and words.
"Hmmm.. I will try and make some time for your call if only I am not busy talking to my Jimmine Wu." Jennie teased her while lightly patting her head.
"Jennie !" Kiara looked at her with her big eyes and a pout which made her look even more adorable.
Jennie laughed, her eyes shinning with unshed tears. She really loved the way her little sister. After her father's death when Jennie had cut down herself from the world it was only Kiara's fun-loving and innocent nature that got through her walls in no time. Her smile was contagious and her innocence adorable. Being around her felt like you have been teleported to a much brighter world.
"Kiara that is enough you are ruining her clothes" uncle James spoke pulling Kiara and freeing Jennie from her bear hug while asking "Jennie Isn't Kyle's friend here yet ?"
Kyle was her elementary school friend who had been studying at this university. Presently he was sent abroad by the university for some educational program so he had requested his girlfriend to help Jennie out.
Jennie checked her phone "Don't worry she will be here in a moment, it's getting dark you should be on your way."
After promising Kiara to get her idol Jimmie's autograph Jennie waved the two goodbyes with a heavy heart.
Her phone buzzed almost instantly and Jennie looked at the screen, the message was from Kyle that had a halo emoji next to his name. Jennie had this habit of saving emoji alongside the contact names which was apt to that person's personality. Kyle had got a halo because he was such a sweet and truthful person just like a saint.
Kyle- Sorry Shanaya is running a bit late. She would be there in just a second with the documents.
Jennifer- No problem Kyle.....and I received the pic, she is pretty.
Kyle-She is gorgeous.
Kyle- Jennie she can sound a bit rude sometimes but trust me she is extremely good at heart, you will love her once you get to know her.
Jennie was typing when she heard someone call her name in a hushed voice.
Jennie turned around to find some weirdo peeping from behind the tree. Half of the face was covered by a scarf and the eyes with some oversized shades.
Jennie noticed the weirdo's dress looked familiar, 'Shanaya ?' she thought and quickly checked the photo Kyle had sent her.
"Shanaya !" Jennie almost shouted much in surprise once she realised the suspicious-looking weirdo was Kyle's girlfriend.
"Shhh..." Jennie could see Shanaya putting a finger up to shush her and with the other hand gesturing her to come close. Bewildered she started walking towards Shanaya. While walking Jennie noticed that Shanaya was acting like some fanatic, constantly scanning her surrounding. With her colorful and rich outlook, she looked like some rich millionaire who had just filed a fake bankruptcy and was evading the public and authorities.
"Hi" Jennie greeted her once she closed in and stood in front of the tree.
"Don't you stand there..." Shanaya muttered and roughly pulled Jennie towards her, almost toppling her bag to the ground.
"What ?" Jennie questioned shocked by such behavior. She was not sure if she still had time to push this insane girl and run for her life.
Shanaya did not even care to explain herself and just handed Jennie two files and her room card "These are your things and just to let you know that I am doing this just for Kyle and I have nothing to do with you, I don't even like you." she further added.
"I could have done without the additional information, nevertheless thanks ?" Jennie replied. She would have been taken off-guard with such blatant rudeness had she not been well warned.
Even though Jennie could not see her eyes but she could tell Shanaya was glaring at her with soured expressions.
Not waiting any further Shanaya started to leave.
"wait !" Jennie spoke.
Shanaya paused.
"Why are you acting so suspicious, and what's with the look ?" Jennie asked curiously.
" I don't want others to see us together and think we are friends" Shanaya stated plainly.
"Wha- Why ?" Jennie was taken off guard with her answer this time. Well Jennie herself was not interested in making friends with this insane and rude girl but she wanted to know the reason for her to say such a thing.
"Because you are poor. " Shanaya stated as if it was only the most normal thing to say.
"Huh.." Jennie looked at her dazed. In her life, she had come across many mean people and even bullies, she had even stood her ground against them. But this was not bullying or Shanaya acting mean it was as if she was stating some known facts.
"Now bye and I hope I never get to see you." Shanaya had only walked a few steps when she turned again "Keep your background a secret if you don't want to be tormented here" she added further and rushed away from Jennie as if she were some plague.
Jennie was not someone who would take insults without giving a fitting reply but Shanaya's words had just made her speechless.
Kyle- got your documents?
Jennie just replied with a thumbs up, she did not want to bother telling Kyle her girlfriend was insane not just 'bit rude'.
She then kept her phone aside and inspected the two files Shanay had given her, the first one just had the documents she had sent for verification. Jennie carefully put the file in the bag and checked the other one, which had around 5-6 sheets in the.
She inspected the first sheet, it was a detailed map of the building outside which she was standing. There was a small star scribbled with a pencil on the second floor of the map which was supposed to be Junior Year dorm.
Jennie looked at at the bottom of page and saw something scribbled with a pencil beside a star.
-Roll calls eight. Don't get late -
She checked the second sheet, it was a map too but of the whole block. She gave it a quick look and found a similar star scribbled below an area close to her building.
'She is not that bad, just a bit weird' Jennie thought, reconsidering her opinion about Shanaya. Jennie still could not figure out why hasn't Shanaya just simply texted her these details but still, this was more than enough.
-Collect your id and class schedule from here- was written beneath this map, alongside a star.
Jennie then checked the third, the fourth, and the fifth page, they were all identical to each other which said in bold letters:
-I DON'T LIKE YOU, I JUST DID IT FOR KYLE-
Jennie sighed looking at the three pages. She did not even bother herself into thinking about what it meant and why had Shanaya done it. It was impossible for her to understand things Shanaya did and say.
Jennie checked the time, she still had an hour before the roll call. The office building was hardly a five-minute walk so she decided to visit her room first and then collect her student id and class schedule.
Jennie shoved everything aside in her bag except the building map and then made a bee-line towards the dorm. The interior of the building as expected was huge and breathtaking like some seven-star hotel. The marble floor was shiny and clean and Jennie swore she could pick her eyebrows using the surface as a mirror.
What intimidated Jennie were the students. Almost everyone she walked across was very well groomed and even Jennie who was not much into fashion and brands could tell the clothes some of the students wore were ten times costlier than her entire wardrobe. Moving toward her room she overheard students talk about buying cars and penthouses so casually that it felt like she was altogether in a different world.
Jennie's room number was at the very corner of the dormitory. Using her key card Jennie went inside.
The room was beautiful, just over her fluffy bed was a large window giving her the view of the outside. Opposite to her bed was a deep wall closet covering the entire wall opposite. At a corner, there was a study table with numerous drawers along with a cushioned chair. Every room was attached with a personal bathroom that was spacious enough to have one large bathtub.
Jennie slid the closet door and noticed her seven big bags comfortably resting in one of the many compartments of the huge closet. She was a sucker for novels so four of these bags contained her favorites that she had read a hundred times but still could not part with. One bag contained her minion collection, she loved those yellow things.
Jennie then like some country bumpkin checked every drawer and shelf of the wardrobe and found a mini fridge along with other things like electric cattle, and a hair-dryer, towles, stationary and other things. Although she was not sure why the school thought some of these things were necessary for a student but she loved it.
Jennie who had been feeling a bit damped after noticing the huge disparity among her peers was feeling a lot better now after checking her room. In this room along with novels, she could spend her life without even caring about the outside world.
Once Jennie had searched every drawer, turned every faucet, and personally checked the fluffiness of her bed she left for the office to collect her student id and class schedule.
The closing time of the office was nine, and one of many things that surprised Jennie about the university was the office was open even on Saturdays and Sundays. She had heard he place treats the students like royalty, not giving them any inconvenience and now she had witnessed it.
Jennie was not sure how long would the office work take so she moved with quick steps towards the office building, and then towards the main office.
A woman was seated behind the counter. On seeing Jennie walk close the woman greeted first. "Hello dear, how may I help you."
"Hello, I am Jennifer Ashwood. I recently took admission here and I was looking for my student id and class schedule." Jennie spoke in one breath.
"You must have received a mail, may I see that dear." the woman spoke looking at Jennie, while simultaneously typing insanely fast on her computer.
Jennie quickly showed her the mail and within seconds the woman handed her the id card and printed her class schedule.
By the time Jennie stepped outside the building, it was already dark and the streets were lit with lamps that gave the whole place a beautiful golden glow. As the university did not allow any vehicles inside the blocks and it was already late so there were hardly any students outside.
Jennie checked the time. She already had forty minutes in hand before the roll-call, so she decided to take a short detour to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place.
Jennie was leisurely walking and enjoying the place when she heard a woman's voice from the narrow alley just to her right.
"I love you! " the woman spoke.
Jennie held her breath, she had just unknowingly heard a confession. She waited for a response silently rooting for the girl but only silence followed the confession.
"I said I love you." she spoke again but still there was no reply. Jennie felt a bit of pity for the girl, things were not going too well.
"I truly love you....I have been in love with you since our first day. Please...please go out with me." the girl spoke anxiously this time. It sounded more of pleading rather than a love confession now.
"Out of all people you should have known I don't date." came a calm and bored voice, the words spoken sounded rehearsed, as if rejecting proposals was an everyday chore for the man.
"Why....Why..." the girl was sobbing by now, "Just tell me... what can I do to get you to love me back. Please Ple-"
"Just leave me alone" came a chilling reply. The coldness of the word almost felt tangible and it was said with such authority that it sent shivers down Jennie's spine.
The sobbing of the girl intensified and Jennie heard the clicking sound of her heels on the ground.
Jennie gave a slight nod in approval of the woman's decision to walk away, she had been humiliated enough and there was no point in staying any further.
She had been so indulged in the whole confession that she overlooked the quick clicking sound of the heels was closing in rather than moving away, and she herself was standing at the mouth of the alley with a street lamp over her like a spotlight.
Jennie panicked once she realized it but it was too late. A beautiful girl appeared from the alley and Jennie's hand went straight to her mouth in shock "Naomi West," she blurted out in disbelief.