After joining the academy, Alice didn't bother trying to get her name around since she already seemed to stick out like a sore thumb for a reason that she didn't even know herself. She was presentable and was kind and polite to everyone. Those who wanted to be around her could, and those who didn't bother to stay with her didn't.
She didn't mind since she was busy with her grades and doing the normal requirements to graduate from the academy. Claudia was by her side to support her, and Alice had enough people around her to keep her content. She had gotten good at faking a smile, but Claudia could always tell when she wasn't enjoying the atmosphere.
They had been with each other for a long time now, so they were able to bring out the best and worst in each other. Alice has been busy lately, so they haven't been able to hang out lately which did make her sad to hear that Claudia was still going out with a lot of friends when she was stuck at home studying or helping out at the convenience store.
At first, her parents wouldn't give her many tasks to do in the convenience store because she was still quite young, however, nowadays, Alice was chipping in a lot of time, because she also wanted to see her family's store flourish and do well. It made her happy to help around since she saw behind the scenes the blood, sweat and tears her parents put into the store.
The least that she could give was her time. It did make her realize though that she didn't have much of a social life that many expected of her. Her socials were only the best-looking highlights of her days which made people assume that she had a perfect life. But then again, it was a face that most people were putting on.
She may have all the followers on her socials, but she only resorted to looking at her phone at school since it was when she was the most bored during her days which may sound quite ironic considering that students shouldn't be doing what she was. Scrolling through the feeds and liking the pictures out of boredom.
Alice didn't think that much things would change in university either considering that she was likely going to maintain the same studying habits along with the same goals that helped her continue to push onwards. Her college life would only be looser due to the freedom of time that the university allows for the transition into adult life.
Claudia was clad in the most atrocious-looking pajamas that would look undeniably odd on anyone else but fit her perfectly with the bright pink silk shorts that had her name written on the backside with a pale pink hoodie tossed on top of her matching set with the shorts that made her complexion brighten.
Alice stepped up to Claudia's doorstep, and her best friend made Alice turn around in a little circle to inspect her outfit more closely before Claudia patted Alice's bottom. "You look so pretty."
She sighed an exhausted breath after making it all the way to the house but now felt more lively in Claudia's presence. "Thank you, darling."
Claudia seemed to be in the middle of doing her hair which Alice didn't notice earlier with Claudia's locks pulled up into numerous pink curlers for a blowout look when pulled out later. Alice stepped into her friend's open arms for a hug, smelling the perfume that Claudia had had for ages that smelt like lychee and lavender blooms.
The perfume that Claudia had specially made for herself when she was still a child was a birthday present that a rich auntie gave to Claudia. Claudia didn't have any ideas as to a scent to choose, so Alice gave her the idea of lychee when they were sitting down in the playground while Claudia decided on the scent of lavender. It was a funny memory now that she was thinking about it.
Alice squeezed Claudia tightly and pulled back with a wink. "How are you doing?"
Claudia smiled. "Feeling good. Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet, but I was thinking about getting something with you later."
"Come in, come in, Marion made delicious pastries that I'm sure you'll love. We can always get more food later."
"Ooh, that sounds so good. I'm surprised that you didn't eat yet."
Claudia laughed. "I did sneak some."
Alice remembered Marion as someone strict and scary but now older, she realized that Marion was a thoughtful soul. "I'm sure that she wasn't too pleased."
"Yeah... she wasn't. I ran away like a headless chicken with her chasing after me with a spatula," Claudia admitted with a snort of laughter.
Alice shuddered. "Horrifying."