CHAPTER 6
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After leaving the director's office, Christine and Dune made their way to their lockers, chatting happily.
They were surprised to discover that everything they needed for their classes — books, notebooks, gym clothes, and even lab equipment — had already been placed in their lockers. The school took care of all student materials from enrollment to graduation, sparing them from the burden of carrying heavy bags.
"This school is wild," Christine marveled, grabbing only the essentials.
"I feel like we accidentally enrolled in some elite fantasy academy," Dune chuckled, locking up his neatly organized space.
Their lockers were right next to each other, so they didn't have to split up, which made navigating their new environment easier.
When they finally arrived at their classroom, they froze in place, utterly stunned.
The room was massive — nearly 2000 square feet — more like a conference hall than a typical classroom. It could comfortably accommodate a hundred students, with rows of sleek, ergonomic chairs and spacious desks. Two enormous 145-inch screen projectors hung at the front, flanking a polished podium that stood 46 inches tall, complete with a slim microphone for the lecturer.
The atmosphere was pristine and modern, with subtle ambient lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows that let in just the right amount of natural light.
Students were already scattered across the room, some chatting in groups, others quietly scrolling through their devices or flipping through textbooks.
"Okay, this place is insane," Christine whispered, her eyes wide.
"Artemis College really lives up to its reputation," Dune replied, equally mesmerized.
They stood there for a beat longer than necessary, completely absorbed in taking everything in — until they were abruptly shoved aside.
Christine nearly lost her balance, and Dune instinctively caught her arm, steadying her. They turned, startled, to see a girl strutting past them like she owned the place.
She turned around with a dramatic hair flip, her glossy pink curls catching the light it was definitely dyed. She wore a tight pink tank top, a white faux fur cropped coat, a short white flare skirt, and knee-high pink boots. Even her handbag was pink and fluffy, hanging off her arm like a designer accessory. Two other girls followed her, dressed in similar shades, though with slightly different styles — her obvious entourage.
The girl sized them up with an uppity glare, lips curling into a condescending smirk.
"I don't know who you are or what tragic purpose you serve, but you were in my way," she sneered, voice dripping with disdain. "If you're not going into the classroom, do everyone a favor and get your mortifying selves out of the entrance. Stop being a f*cking nuisance."
She let out an exaggerated hiss, rolling her eyes as she turned to walk into the room, tossing them a side glance like they were gum stuck to her shoe.
Christine stood there, mouth opening and closing like a fish, utterly speechless. She turned to Dune, who looked equally shocked but much more composed.
"Scratch what I said earlier," Christine muttered, rubbing her temples. "This school is not a conducive learning environment — it's going to be a nightmare."
"We haven't even adjusted to the new environment yet, and people already hate us," Dune sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Okay, sure, maybe we shouldn't have been standing in front of the door," Christine admitted, pacing a little. "But that doesn't give her the right to talk to us like that, she was outright rude, and coming unto us like we had a beef in our previous lives jeez. Who even is she? The president's daughter?"
She huffed, crossing her arms. "And what's with her color choice? Is she trying to cosplay as cotton candy, or is it, like, international pink day? It's an eyesore.
Dune snorted, clamping a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh. "Christine, just let it go. We promised Aunt Cathy we'd keep a low profile and avoid trouble, remember?"
"We are trouble, Dune."
"I know," he chuckled, leaning against the wall. "That's probably why Aunt Chathy didn't let us rent a place in the student estate — you'd end up burning it down."
Christine sighed, her shoulders dropping. "No matter what we do, people won't like us, huh?"
Dune gave her a small, knowing smile. "Nope just me, you being around me is causing you hate. But no matter what they do, we don't have to care. We focus on what matters — surviving college without committing murder."
Christine grumbled, but her lips twitched into a reluctant smile. Don't say stuffs like that you and me we're in this together okay. " Let's just grab seats at the back by the window."
"And explore the school later? Cafeteria? Gym?"
Let's goooo!" Christine cheered, her energy bouncing back as she dragged Dune into the room.
They slipped inside and headed to the back, already sensing that their college life was about to be anything but peaceful.
But at least they had each other.
And if someone wanted to test them?
Well, they weren't ones to back down from a challenge.