Elite

II

Natalia's POV:

I struggled to stay awake for the first day of classes. That coffee didn't help me whatsoever. When I finally turned to see Jared Vanderbilt he made me lose my appetite-including my appetite for caffeine. I threw away my coffee as soon as I left. But, thank goodness for the lunch break I planned coming up soon. I'm going straight to the campus Starbucks and ordering my weight in espresso. I am definitely feeling the effects of my fitful night of hardly sleeping. For some reason my brain couldn't stop thinking about my king size bed with silk sheets and soft, puffy pillows. That single thought made me drift off into a short little nap. On my desk.

"Ms. Espinoza, would you like to learn or would you like for me to kick you out?" Mrs. Schneider, my honors literature professor snapped at me.

I quickly lifted my head up and wiped the drool off my mouth. There is no way I was going to make a bad impression on the first day of school... if I hadn't already.

"Um, no, Mrs. Schneider. I'm so sorry. It won't happen again." I sat up straight and pinched the side of my hand to keep me awake.

I looked around me and my classmates are giggling and saying things under their breathe. I loathed being the center of attention unless it was for something good. Not embarrassing. I looked back and rolled my eyes at them. Like I said before, I can't let them see me weak... Even if my anxiety was at a good 11 right now.

Laina's POV:

I sat drumming my freshly manicured nails against my desk. All I wanted to do was get up and walk out of my Information Technology class. I had hoped Sienna and I would have it together, but no. I was lucky enough to have Austin though. Austin and I had quickly taken our seats in the back to watch the rest of our classmates file in. I loved to watch people. I enjoyed observing others. Austin thought it was a boring hobby but he humored me anyway.

My legs bounced anxiously as I continued tapping my nails against my desk. Austin reached over and grabbed my hand, holding it between his. I looked over at him with raised eyebrows.

"I know you're nervous but I'm going to have to ask you to stop the tapping, babe. It's annoying as shit." Austin said as a wide smile graced his face. I rolled my eyes and smiled back. The best thing about Austin and myself, honesty. We had made a pact to always be one hundred percent honest with each other no matter what.

"Fine." I responded as he let go of my hands. He still eyed my bouncing legs. I watched his eyes travel over my legs that were exposed due to the skirt I was wearing. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Eyes up here, lover boy." I reached out and tapped his chin as I spoke. He graced me with another smile as our teacher entered the room, signaling the start of class.

As Professor Benson droned on and on and on about something I clearly had no interest in my phone buzzed in my bag. I saw Austin give me a quizzical look. I stuck my tongue out and grabbed my phone to check my texts.

From: Queen Natalia

I just got humiliated in AP Lit and need rescuing. Let's ditch and go to Cannes.

I read the message and looked up to see Mr. Benson still droning on. It was a done deal. Natalia's anxiety was definitely more important than the first day of classes. The first day was always monotonous and repetitive. I would much rather spend my day beachside. I smiled to myself. Today might actually turn out to be not so boring after all.