Sophia's heart raced as the Range Rover pulled into the sprawling campus of UCLA. The grandeur of the university was both intimidating and exciting. Gothic-style buildings stood amidst lush greenery, students bustled across pathways, and the air buzzed with energy. It was a world vastly different from the quiet opulence of her life at Ethan's villa.
The car came to a smooth stop near the Orientation Hall. Marcus, the driver, stepped out and opened the door for her. Sophia hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping out.
"Good luck, Miss Edwards," Marcus said with a small nod.
"Thanks, Marcus," Sophia replied, giving him a reassuring smile. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and looked around.
Blending in was her top priority today. No one here needed to know she was the sister of Ethan Edwards, a man whose name was synonymous with power and innovation. She was determined to make her own friends and build her own identity.
The Orientation Hall was already buzzing with activity when Sophia walked in. Rows of chairs were arranged in a semi-circle around a small stage where university staff were setting up. She found a seat near the middle, avoiding both the front and back rows.
As she settled in, a cheerful voice broke her thoughts. "Hey! Is this seat taken?"
Sophia looked up to see a petite girl with curly brown hair and glasses smiling at her.
"No, go ahead," Sophia replied, gesturing to the seat next to her.
"Thanks! I'm Emily," the girl said, extending a hand.
"Sophia," she replied, shaking Emily's hand.
"Nice to meet you! Are you as nervous as I am?" Emily asked with a laugh, adjusting her glasses.
Sophia chuckled. "Probably. It's a lot to take in."
Before long, a tall guy with messy blond hair and a laid-back demeanor plopped into the seat on Sophia's other side. "Yo, you guys freshmen too?"
"Yeah," Sophia and Emily said almost in unison.
"Cool. I'm Ryan," he said, flashing a grin.
The three quickly fell into an easy conversation, talking about their majors, where they were from, and their hopes for college life. Sophia found herself relaxing, enjoying the banter. It felt good to be treated like just another student.
After a series of speeches by faculty members and student leaders, the orientation shifted to campus tours and icebreaker activities. Sophia stuck with Emily and Ryan, grateful for the instant connection she'd made with them.
As they walked through the campus, Sophia marveled at the sheer size and diversity of the university. She listened as their guide, a senior student, pointed out key locations—the library, science labs, student center, and recreational areas.
Emily nudged her. "So, Sophia, what's your major?"
"Chemistry," Sophia said, smiling. "I've always been fascinated by it."
"Nice! Science genius over here," Ryan teased, earning a laugh from both girls.
"What about you?" Sophia asked, turning the question back to them.
"Biology," Emily said. "I want to go into research someday."
"Business," Ryan replied, shrugging. "You know, the classic 'I don't know what I want to do' major."
Sophia laughed. "At least you're honest about it."
As the day progressed, Sophia began to feel more at ease. She enjoyed exploring the campus, chatting with her new friends, and imagining the life she could build here.
By the time the orientation wrapped up, the three had exchanged numbers and made tentative plans to grab coffee the next day.
As Sophia walked back to the car waiting for her, she felt a sense of accomplishment. Today was a step forward—a fresh start, just as she'd hoped.
Back at the villa, Ethan was in his office, wrapping up another long day. When he heard the sound of the car pulling into the driveway, he glanced at the time. Perfect timing.
Sophia walked in a few minutes later, her face glowing with excitement.
"Well?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair.
"It was... surprisingly good," Sophia admitted, a hint of a smile on her lips.
Ethan smirked. "Told you. Growth doesn't happen in comfort zones."
Sophia rolled her eyes but couldn't deny the truth in his words. "Yeah, yeah. You were right. But don't let it go to your head."
Ethan laughed. "Never."
As Sophia headed to her room, Ethan watched her go, a sense of pride welling up in him. She was carving her own path, and he couldn't be happier to see it unfold.