The moment I first set foot in the university, how did I feel? Like I was the lead in a movie! Seriously, I stepped out of that fancy car in slow motion... Like a princess with her own royal carriage.
Everyone was staring... I could practically hear the oohs and aahs. Wow, my life was so glamorous!
Then reality hit me.
BAM! Someone pushed me from behind. Just like that, I was back to reality. It was Raki Zed Valdez! Right I almost forgot, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Valdez, and my charge. Charge, aka future headache who's my age. But unlike me, he's the type of person who looks like he walked straight out of a fashion magazine. Imagine a guy who's always fresh, dressed in designer clothes, with a hairstyle that looks like he just stepped out of a five-star salon. Meanwhile, me? Let's just say I've mastered the peak of the wash-and-wear look.
"Hey, what's up with you? You're spacing out again," Zed said, giving me another nudge from behind. It was like he'd applied for the job of my driver but ended up volunteering as my personal reality check.
"Sorry, it's just that your car is so nice!" I sighed. Honestly, the car was fancy... The kind that already feels fresh and fragrant even before you get in. And here I was, in a second-hand uniform that my mom altered a bit too long. But that's okay, at least the ride was free and it's my first time riding it!
When we arrived at the university, it was like another planet! Literally a different dimension. The place was spotlessly clean, like a vacuum cleaner had licked the entire campus. And the people? They looked like they all came from a high-end catalog. And me? I was wondering what episode of my life had led me here.
"Zed, what is this? A fashion show?" I asked as we walked. The students were wearing heels, boots, and bags that seemed more expensive than my tuition.
"Get used to it Sophia, this is how things are here," Zed said, as if he was totally used to this level of sophistication. "If you're not wearing a brand, you're basically invisible."
I looked down at my shoes... One part was already worn out, but they were still functional. As long as the heel doesn't fall off, I'll manage!
As we walked I could feel people staring. Well, they were actually staring at Zed but I couldn't help but feel like a star even if I was just a plus-one in this scene. Zed was handsome, no denying that. The kind who has loads of followers on social media. And with me next to him? Well, I guess I had an instant social status upgrade too in a way!
"Sophia, welcome to the real world," he said as we stopped in front of a massive building. I looked at him, then at the university. Wow, it was grand! But in my mind despite all this, I was still Raki Zed's tutor and part-time nanny. No matter the education was free, right?
At least, if I ever had a story to tell my friend Chimay I could say, "Guess what? I'm at this fancy university, hanging out with Zed Valdez. I might not be a princess but at least I'm with the campus prince!"
I chose Education as my course because according to my mom, it's the only course with forever as in, you'll forever be a teacher especially back in the province. If I hadn't been in a rush, she might have convinced me to put Maestra Sophia the First as my title with my classmates. But this is fine... at least I can see a future, even if it involves chalk and a whiteboard.
Zed... of course, chose Business Management. Right? If you're elite, your course should match. He left me in front of my building the Department of Education aka my future classroom kingdom. While Zed just passed by here, his mansion for future CEOs and bosses was in the other building. "See you at lunch in the cafeteria," he said, waving before entering the grand gate of the Business Department.
I took a deep breath. "You got this, Sophia!" I motivated myself as I climbed the stairs to the second floor. When I reached the room, wow, it was amazing! Even my classmates looked like they came from abroad! Like not only their things were expensive but also their attitudes as if made of gold!
While I was mentally touring my classroom (a.k.a. imagining my grand entrance), someone suddenly approached me. Oh my gosh, I didn't think anyone would pay attention to me. But here it was someone came! And when I saw her, at first glance, I already knew... she was the kind of classmate you could add to the housemaid appreciation society group chat for her humor.
"Hi! I'm Lily," she said, extending her hand. "How are you? Are you new here too? Because it seems like we're both lost!"
I laughed. Lily was the kind of person who, when she talked you knew she wasn't serious, but her punchlines were perfect. She seemed a lot like my friend Chimay from back home, the one who could make you laugh just by breathing.
"I'm Sophia. Sophia Valdez but not related to the rich Valdezes okay!" I said winking because I'd learned that here, if you say your last name is Valdez, people automatically ask, "Are you related to the five-star hotels owners?" and you have to explain that, nope you don't live in a palace.
"Oh, nice! I, on the other hand don't have a last name," Lily joked with a laugh. "Just kidding... I'm Lily Gomez. But I can't sing, okay? My name's just wasted!"
And that was it. Lily and I clicked right away. She was like a new version of Chimay but leveled up. She was the type of person you knew would be your ally in every group activity. The one who knew all the gossip at school and of course in every class, having a resident gossip in your group was essential.