Cosmic Coin

Chapter 1: Buddies, Boobies, and New Beginnings

COURTNEY

They said new beginnings were essential to growth. That it's a chance to be better. An opportunity for change. But new beginnings meant the others' endings, and not everyone needed it; not everyone had to be better; not everyone wanted change.

I was 15 when my family sent me to San Diego, California because I had no interest in our business, and I kept breaking their rules. It was their way of punishing me, but I actually considered it my escape from them.

I lived comfortably in California for the past 4 years. I had the life of the party and the perfect life everyone could ask for.

Coming back here meant change. To live the life my parents wanted me to. The life I thought was already buried in the past.

"Courtney!" Yllana yelled my name as her face seized my sight.

Her wide eyes narrowed slightly as soon as her lips rose, while her brown layered hair and medium-tanned skin looked golden touched by the sun rays from the huge glass windows.

Yllana waved her hand, then tapped her ears, gesturing me to remove my headphones. I couldn't help sighing as I put my headphones down over my shoulders.

"Lunch tayo," anyaya niya.

I pursed my lips and looked at her hesitantly. Before I even got a chance to utter a word, inunahan na ni Yllana ang sagot sa tanong na lumilipad sa isipan ko.

"What were you expecting? This is Scionshire University, the noblesse society A.K.A. the school of gossip! And you're the girl from Cali who transferred here during the second semester," Yllana said and giggled.

I frowned slightly and started walking to the cafeteria. Yllana walked beside me, then she leaned in to whisper.

"At ikaw lang naman ang tinatawag nilang it-girl of Scionshire! Of course, they would talk about you! Embrace it. Be proud of it!"

That's an understatement. People are not just talking about me. They're already narrating my entire life to every person that I immediately had to make all my socials private.

Rumors about my non-existent plastic surgery has been circulating around the campus, too, because of my unique features and nice physique. I don't know if I should be pleased or insulted by the fact that they think I looked too beautiful to be true. That they even considered I had plastic surgery done.

"At least try to hide it, you know? Like don't spit it on my face. Masyado nilang pinapahalata na pinag-uusapan nila ako," I said and blew air.

"Then it's a good thing I'm here, right? Ako muna ang 'yong friend in shining armor," Yllana said and chuckled as she pulled my wrist towards the food counter as soon as we entered the cafeteria.

"Who knows what I'd do without you?" I asked rhetorically.

Yllana Fuajardo is my childhood best friend, literally the only person preventing me from sinking right now. Thank God for Yllana.

"I know right?" ani Yllana at tumawa. "Stop moping. Didn't you say you're here to look for love?"

"I did say that because I wanted to have something I could busy myself with. What else would I do in this country?" sabi ko.