Heiress ∣ Nate Archibald

The Freshmen

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Every fall, confident high school seniors transform into nervous college freshmen. They leave their parents' homes for the hallowed halls of higher education. And like any new venture starting college holds the promise of limitless opportunity. The opportunity to conquer a new territory. Or to try and be a little less lonely. But just because the opportunity presents itself doesn't mean everybody is ready to take it.

Ophelia Waldorf-Huntington felt a range of nerves travel through her body the longer she stood out the front of the Fashion Institute of Technology building, having been dropped off by Alex five minutes prior the heiress struggled to pull herself inside the front doors for orientation week. "I think it helps if you walk through the doors." An unfamiliar sweet voice joked quietly, finding herself standing beside the heiress before she extended a perfectly manicured hand her way. "I'm Aspen McCoy. Fellow freshmen." The natural looking red hair greeted, her outfit screamed a combination of old money and creativity. "Ophelia Waldorf-Huntington." 

"Wait, aren't you Eleanor Waldorf's niece?". The young woman questioned, confused why someone who already had a foot in the door would subject themselves to the college experience. "That's me." Ophelia nodded cautiously, silently willing herself not to be too trusting of the girl beside her. "I apologize for being abrupt, but why are you here?". Aspen wondered as the pair began to make their way through the glass doors, quietly thanking the assistant who was handing out welcome packs to each new student. "You can never know too much about something when you're truly passionate about it." 

"Even when you already have a fashion line?". Aspen teased playfully but there was something in Ophelia that allowed her to feel comfortable despite knowing nothing about the redhead. "Even then. How else am I meant to own an empire?". "I like your confidence. It's refreshing." Aspen encouraged as the duo found themselves checking into the college and awaiting their introduction seminar. "So is your honesty." Ophelia complimented in return, enjoying her budding friendship despite the nerves she was experiencing. 

Falling into a comfortable silence the two girls listened carefully to the introductions being made by the college professors, hearing her phone go off in her pocket the heiress subtlety pulled it out to see a text from none other than Nate Archibald, causing a wide smile to appear on Ophelia's face as she read it.
"Good luck today. You'll smash it x".

"Boyfriend?". Aspen whispered, having noticed the text on the heiress' phone beside her. "Yeah." Ophelia nodded, replying with a quick thank you towards her boyfriend before tuning back into the basic introductions. "He seems sweet." The redhead admitted, wanting to get to know the heiress beside her. "He's incredible." Ophelia beamed, not complaining about the opportunity to talk about Nate Archibald. 

The two girls spent the rest of the seminar making small talk, learning more about each other's lives and continuing to take notes on important information such as where certain classes would take place or dates, they needed to add to their calendar. Walking along a tour of the campus Ophelia found herself feeling a sense of disbelief, she'd dreamed of this day for years and now she was actually beginning her new life - away from those she had spent nearly every day with for most of her life and creating an identity entirely of her own.