You're a beautiful young woman just entering college. Your father's business, Wholesome Eats, went bankrupt when you were still young, causing you to fall from the pampered life of the social elite and forcing you into the camp of "hard work pays of...
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I step off the bus and sweep my gaze across the Leonidas University campus for the first time. The campus is bustling with new students, but i don't really share their excitement.
( As impressive as ever, i guess. I know all universities have professional landscaping, but why are the hedges shaped like Greek figures? And, is that... a sculpture fountain? )
I shake my head at the opulence. ( You're not here to ogle the lawn, are you? ) i sigh, ( i should probably try to find where they're holding the new student orientation. Too bad it's mandatory. I'd rather check out my coursework selection for this year.. or figure out who stole the first place from me. ) i wrinkled my eyebrows while shaking my head.
I walk up to the large campus map. ( i guess i can get my bearings here.. ) A couple of well-dressed girls are standing nearby, talking in gossipy tones. One clearly has a Vouis Lutton handbag.
( that bag probably cost a full month's salary.. But Leonidas U is an exclusive school. They're almost unparalleled in their educational offerings. So it's only natural that they'd attract wealthy students. They even rank students based on different kinds of achievements, for crying out loud. Financial succes, philanthropy, and academic. )
I grimace, frustrated that i only qualified for one. I take a deep breath. ( Who cares about how much charitable donations a student has made anyway? What about volunteering? Or community service? The academic ranking exam is the only one that makes any sense, but their rewards are bull. And i'm second this year for academics. Second! My tuition exemption... gone down the drain. )
The annoyance i've been trying to supress all day bubbles to the surface again. I sigh, in a effort to distract myself, i start looking for the Durand building where the orientation is supposed to be held.
One of the girls gasps, and i jump.
"Oh my gosh, that's Nicolas!" She says.
( Just a boy? Jeez, i was thinking the school was on fire! )
"No way! You mean, the Nicolas? Of Delacroix Corp?" Another girl asks. "That's definitely his car. I remember Victoria saying he'd just upgraded to an Ess-Class Denz!" "wow, you know cars?" "A-a little yes! My dad collects them, actually. He just bought a new Lambu." "Ahh, i see.. Oh, didn't Victoria also mention he was first rank on the exam?" "He is! And everyone knows how hard that exam is. Sexy and smart!"
I overheard the girls talking. ( Wh-what? This Nicolas guys took the first rank? There is no way some rich lazy snob took it without cheating! )
I start walking over to the sleek, black vehicle. ( Ugh! Even his car is over the top. That probably cost over atleast 2 years worth of tuition.. Why the hell does he even need the tuition exemption granted by first rank? What did first rank even get him? )
A man steps out of the vehicle. I refuse to let myself be daunted by his handsome face. He gazes blandly at his surroundings for a moment before he walks onto the campus. I intercept him.
"Hey! Are you Nicolas?" I ask. His expression seems mildly surprised. "I am. I guess it's reasonable someone like you wouldn't know me by sight." He smirks slightly.
"I've never seen you before, your clothing is kind of... questionable origins, and you haven't introduced yourself. Clearly you're not high enough on the social ladder for us to have crossed paths before." I ignore the jab. "How did you get first rank? I've been aiming for it for years! You clearly don't need the tuition exemption. I wouldn't be surprised if you bought your rank either. How easy is it to bribe school officials?"
Nicolas's eyes sharpen almost imperceptibly, but he laughs. "I'm not sure what my rank has to do with you. The list was made public this morning, and i'm a bit busy to be wasting time with a nobody. Is your time so cheap you'd hunt me down just to whine? I didn't try to steal first rank from you. I merely preformed my best, and clearly, my best is better than yours. Which is unsurprising, considering what a shameful upbrining you must've had."
"Shameful?! There's nothing shameful about hard work and dedication! Something i'm sure you never truly experienced."
The black haired boy chuckled again, this time a bitter note in his laughter. "I wouldn't be so sure, girl. The wealthy get to where they are with those traits. Somehow i don't think 'hard work' and 'dedication' is going well for you. Maybe you should try 'sucking up' ?"
Nicolas walks away before i can respond. ( Wow.. what a jerk. But i guess i was probably i little rude too.. i did get in his face and confront him. Then again, he didn't excactly deny it when i said he bought his way in. Ugh! What a douche.)
My watch beeps, and i realize i'm running late. ( Crap, the orientation is about to start! )
