Chapter 02.

Pree


"Hey, do you know that there'll be an international student transferred to our class today?
" echoes a voice from my left. It belongs to none other than the youngest member of the trio, a seventeen-year-old Bee.

She is the most subtle one among the group. Like literally, who would notice a girl who is barely five feet when two tall and slender bodies swallow her? Not to mention her pigtailed braid, elementary hairstyle. I am not in any position to judge, but her style really is plain compared to the other two in her group.

Even so, I have to admit that she is one level better than me because she knows how to put on makeup, whereas I don't. If you dump all the makeup kits next to me, I don't even know where to begin.

I used to feel frustrated when I realized I could no longer grow any taller than five feet two, and that I even got chosen as the dwarf representative for my class ever since high school. However, all the frustration seems to have subsided when Bee transferred to my class and stole the crown from me, the crown, which I was pleased to be snatched away.

For some selfish reasons, I find the world somehow less cruel.

"What did you say?" asks Cindy, the second member of the trio. She ranks second in terms of age, appearance, and height. Nevertheless, she wins first place when it comes to sexiness. Just looking at a black miniskirt, which barely covers her thighs, and the V-neck cleavage-exposed t-shirt she wears is the proof.

"I just asked you a question," says Bee.

"I know. I'm not deaf. I heard it, but I missed the words. What did you ask again?"

"I've heard an international student is transferring to our class today. Did you hear about this?"

Cindy squints her eyes, looking at her silver-painted nails carefully as if she is inspecting for a broken one. "No. Heard nothing of it. Are you sure about this?"

Bee shakes her head. "Not really. I've only heard from the teachers when I walk past their room. But I think they have mentioned our class."

"Hmm...interesting," hums Cindy. "Well, let's wait till Mia is here. If this is true, she will be the first to know. Her youngest uncle is the dean, after all."

It seems there is not much difference between movies and real life. There is always this group of girls anywhere you go. The trio I am talking about isn't exactly what we call 'mean girls,' for they never bully anyone. Their sole mission is to seek attention, and they accomplish it.

Mia, Cindy, Su, and I have known each other since middle school. And I can't believe I still have to be their classmate again for the next four years. I mean, I know I will meet them since Mia's uncle is the dean here, but I have never expected to be in the same class.

Life is truly unpredictable.

"Oh, yes, you're right. Let's ask her when she's here," says Bee.

Frankly, I am not trying to eavesdrop on this conversation, but it is within my earshot. Though Bee and Cindy are sitting next to each other, they converse as if they were miles apart. Bee is okay, but Cindy talks like she is on a microphone. She is known as the trio's loudspeaker, after all.

Speaking of the trio, their members are Cindy, Bee, and Mia. They are different in many ways, yet these three make a good best friend. Sticking together, hanging out, taking and posting pictures on almost every social network available on their phones are proof. Sometimes, mostly during weekends, I have to scroll down till my thumb is on fire to see something else on my Instagram feed besides their photos. It is like they were supposed to be born sisters but accidentally delivered by separate mothers.

Unlike Su and I, we rarely have any photos taken together, and it's somehow my fault to blame because I simply hate taking pictures.

"Pree, did you hear?"

Su's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Huh? What?"

"Seriously, did you forget to bring your soul with you when you left home?"

"No, I'm pretty sure I brought it. Why?"

She shakes her head and sighs. "You were like an empty shell just now. So absent-minded as if aliens abducted you. What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing much. Haven't I always been like this?" I shrug, trying to act natural so she won't catch me listening in to the trio's conversation just now.

"Whatever," she waves her hand, brushing off the topic, to which I am glad that she does. "Back to what I want to say. I just got a text."

"Okay?"

"There will be an international student coming to our class."

I am not even shocked by how quickly my best friend can collect all the information. She is a very social person. Her connections in and out of the campus are almost equal to the FBI network. Finding out about this information is a piece of cake. It isn't anything new.

"Well, even if there is, what does that have to do with us?"

"To me, no." she pauses and leans her face closer as if to tease me. "But you, it may."

My brows furrow automatically at her words. "Care to explain?"

"Remember the gut instinct I've told you? About you finding a romance?"

"Su, can we please drop that subject? I assure you it won't happen."

"Uh uh uh, don't be so sure yet, bestie." She wiggles her index fingers playfully at me. "Now, can't you see that my instinct is about to be proven, right? We have an international student coming to our class. Haven't you always had a soft spot for the tall, blue-eyed guy?"

I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. "First, that preference applies to the male characters in the stories only. Second, I've clearly said that I have no interest in real-life romance. And third, we are not even sure if that international student is a guy."

Su parts her lips as if to say something when Cindy's loud voice interrupts her. We turn to where the voice has come from to find Mia already walking into the class since who knows when.

"Really, Mia? The international student is a guy?" Cindy's voice gets louder at each question.

"Yes. That's what my uncle told me," replies a voice that is as angelic as the person who owns it.

Mia Tanakorn, the sole heiress of the Tanakon group with subsidiaries in not less than ten countries across Asia, is standing in front of her seat. She is dressed in a knee-length black skirt and a jewel neckline baby pink top that is perfectly tucked in to help to show off her s-shaped curvy hips. Accompanied by the limited edition black baguette bag and a pair of slingbacks, she looks as stunning and elegant as an heiress can be.

No wonder guys fall head over heels with her. Mia was born in a package; rich, pretty, and smart.

Pree, are you sure you're a woman? I ask myself.

After looking at the trio, I start questioning my identity. Everyone tries their best to look pretty on the first day of school, yet I bet no one can beat Mia today. I glimpse at the boys' row seats and realize every pair of eyes is landing on Mia.

To me, Mia is another shining star. I don't know how to rank Su and her. Both of their beauty and popularity are even. Su likes to dress cutely, whereas Mia prefers to dress up in a lady-like way.

Everyone has a unique style; so, I think I will leave the judgment to the boys.

"Ah, the blue eyes and maybe blonde hair type?" Cindy's lips curl up into a smile. "Interesting. Is he handsome?"

Mia covers her mouth and laughs softly in a very lady-like manner before sitting down between Cindy and Bee. "I don't know. My uncle only told me this. He didn't show me a picture. But I know this. He is an Asian ancestry. Both his parents are Asian, but they hold U.S citizenship."

"Still, he was born there. At least he breathes in different air than the guys here."

"No comment. But behave yourself, Cindy. You don't want to scare him off, do you?"

"I'll try my best. But if he is delectable, then you can't blame me."

"Class is about to start. I wonder when he'll arrive. I'm dying to see him," says Bee, finally joining the conversation.

Surprisingly, I find myself waiting for that international student as well.

Too bad, he doesn't show up.


<TO BE CONTINUED>

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