Elite

I

Natalia's POV:

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring. Ugh. It felt like I slept for five minutes. That's probably because I did only sleep for five minutes. I was up all night tossing and turning, playing Candy Crush, scrolling through my Twitter feed, everything but sleeping. I was too wound up and anxious to sleep. There was way too much on my mind about today.

Today. The first day of my junior year in college. I am so nervous. First days never failed to make me nervous. Anxious thoughts ransacked my brain. I felt like I was going to dry heave. I took a deep breath, I didn't have time for this. I couldn't let anyone see me weak, even if it was over the first day of school. The students at Vanderbilt University would eat me alive. The carefully constructed social life I had would be crumbling. I sent a text to Laina as I tried to prepare myself for another year.

To : Queen Laina

...its not too late. We can make a run for it.

A few seconds later, my phone dinged.

Already have my bags packed, let's go to the beach.

I laughed out loud. I knew she was being completely serious. She was always up for a beach trip. I reluctantly climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom to wash my face. I skipped showering since I had the night before. I knew if I showered in the morning, the warm water would lull me right back to sleep. It's happened before. After my shower I slipped on my favorite white crochet dress and push my feet into chunky heels. I loved getting dressed up, doing my hair and makeup. It was something I took pride in.

No, I needed coffee ASAP.

I made quick time swinging by my favorite coffee place before the rush, ahead of our start of term ceremony. As I was waiting for my Iced Caramel Macchiato, tapping my foot with the beat of a song from the speakers overhead, the scent of a familiar cologne made its way to my nose. It assaulted my senses in a pleasant way though the body is cane from was not pleasant by any means. I didn't even have to look up to know who it would be. Two words – Jared Vanderbilt.

Laina's POV:

I watched as the new students filed into our small auditorium one after the other. It was a new year at Brighton University, but it had the same monotonous feel of any other. The only difference this year was the fact we were Juniors. The Seniors would be recognized in the lime light while we would be ushered into their positions behind the scenes. The seniors had all eyes on us while the professors and parents had all eyes on them. They would be going on to bigger better things while we reigned supreme in their place. I was excited yet apprehensive about that part just like Natalia. We did so happen to be the most sought after duo at our small University.

I took a second to glance over at the girl who constituted the 'we' I mentioned. My best friend, Natalia Espinoza, who seemed to be distracted by our small group congregating in front of the stairs leading down to the rows and rows of open seats. We always sat at the top of the auditorium. It was our sanctioned area. No signs needed.

This would be our year. Even if we died of boredom.

I glanced around and spotted my boyfriend, Austin, climbing up the stairs towards me. He looked hotter than he did this morning when he was sneaking out of my bedroom. Not allowed, of course. I smiled as he took his place beside me. I dodged the kiss he was planning for my cheek and pinched his lips together with my fingers. He grabbed my hand and wrestled it into my lap. I laughed as he tickled me. This was the definition of our relationship.

"Watch it, Lacoste." Austin smirked. I nudged his side with my elbow just hard enough to have him jump a little.

Austin kept me grounded when no one else could. I would definitely fly off the rails if I didn't have him around. It was a mutual feeling. I knew if he wasn't with me he would have probably dropped out of Vandy already. We kept each other balanced. I smiled and leaned into him as Natalia scooted down to sit beside me.

"So, Charlotte is having this back to school party tomorrow night at her place right off campus. You're coming right?" Natalia asked as she absently braided and unbraided her long dark hair to the side.

I rolled my eyes and grinned at her.

"Duh. The stepmonster kept us on that ridiculous fucking vacation all summer. I need champagne and luxurious food. I need roof top pools. I need my city." I said running my hands through my hair. Austin caught a few wayward strands and twirled it between his fingers. I was usually never this pretentious, but being in Australia for two and a half months made me miss my life in Los Angeles. I'm complaining about a five star vacation but the point of that is -I would have rather been in a five star crowded L.A. penthouse for my summer break.

"You two are disgustingly cute, go away." Natalia said with a huge grin. I bumped her shoulder with mine and winked at her. Natalia gave me shit for how much PDA we showed off but I couldn't help it. Austin was literally the only one I've ever showed affection for. I honestly don't know what I would do without him.

My mind began to wander to the party tonight. I let myself get lost in my own thoughts as the headmaster of our private university stepped up to the podium. I definitely started spacing out. The last thing I wanted to do was listen to a boring ass, start of term, speech I had heard a millions times before. Every year he welcomes the seniors like honored guests.