CHAPTER 1.1

THE SCENE THAT welcomed me was totally new to me. I was used to the busy environment back when I was in the College of Engineering where students are highly immersed with all the school work and preparation for their classes first thing in the morning. That was the scenario I will always arrive at, one semester ago.

However, this time, it’s totally different. I may be seeing a few students who are currently occupied with their assignments, but most of them are just happily chatting as if we don’t have an upcoming class.

“This is the first time I have seen you in one of our classes. Are you an irregular student? From what department are you?”

A tall and slim guy, with smooth, pale skin grabbed my attention. He looks so dashingly handsome and pretty at the same time; indeed, a beautiful man. His almond-shaped eyes look so dreamy and languid. Most of all, he’s not just beautiful but it’s like he’s a doll that came into life!

“Well, sort of,” I answered his query. “I’m actually a transferee from the College of Engineering.”

“Oh,” he mumbled. “Why did you transfer to AB Literature then? They are really apart from each other,” he even joked to me.

“Engineering was not really the program that I wanted to take,” I answered.

“I see,” he said smiling. “My name's Symon,” he introduced himself and extended his hand to me which I politely accepted.

“Luna,” I told him. “Nice to meet you.”

“Do you mind if I sit beside you?”

I smiled at him. “No, not all.”

The professor for our first class has not yet arrived so Symon and I had a chance to talk and get to know each other. His personality is so warm and he is very approachable. It’s like you will be the one who will be ashamed if you decline his offer to be friends or even to talk to him. I already felt comfortable around him.

We were just having a good time talking with each other when suddenly, a group of three girls entered the room. One of them is extremely beautiful if those are the words that I can use to describe her. Her beauty is ethereal. Her skin is so white, like Symon actually and she has long straight, and black hair. Her eyes are cold and her red-colored lips are thin. I hadn't realized how long I was staring at her until she looked my way and then rolled her eyes at me. Wait, did she seriously just roll her eyes on me?!

“What a bitch.”

“Did she just glare at me?” I asked in disbelief.

“At you, at me, I really don't know,” Symon shrugged.

“I don’t even know her, why would she do that? I didn’t do anything!”

I suddenly felt extreme annoyance towards her. Who does she think she is to just roll her eyes at me? I mean, for one, I don’t know her and I didn’t do anything to her. Was it because I was staring at her? But I’m not really staring at her, am I? I just can’t help but appreciate the beauty that she has; the beauty that she’s wasted because of her bitchy attitude.

“Well, you are actually sitting on her seat,” Symon said. “I don’t know if that’s the issue or maybe she has seen you with me.”

“Is she your girlfriend?” I asked.

“I would not call her a bitch if she is my girlfriend,” Symon replied with a playful smile on his face.

“Then what's her problem?” I mumbled frustrated.

That bitch ruined my first day. Now that's great!

Symon chuckled. “Calm down,” he said. “She’s just a bitch, that’s all.”

I just let it go and ignored her when I saw her looking for another seat. If we met in a different situation and if she just approached me nicely, then I would have just given her this seat. But she was already rude by the first time we met so I think she doesn't deserve to get this seat back for herself.

A guy in his early 30s suddenly came in. “Good morning, class, I am Edward Ramirez, and I will be your professor for your Introduction to Literature and the Professions. While everyone’s faces seem to be familiar, according to my master list, we have someone new in this class. And she is—”

He scanned the paper in his hand and when I think he saw my name, he shifted his gaze back to the class. “Ms. Luna Eunice Tuazon?”

I raised my hand and called out. “Sir!”

“Oh, there you are. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? We want to know something about you,” Mr. Ramirez said. “From what department are you?”

"I’m from the College of Engineering,” I replied.

“Oh, so why did you transfer from Engineering to AB Lit?” Mr. Ramirez made a follow-up inquiry.

I was about to answer but someone from the class interrupted. “Maybe she failed Engineering,” the person said and the others laughed with him.

I glared at them and said, “I didn’t fail in Engineering. As a matter of fact, I am one of the Dean’s Listers. So there’s no way that I will receive a failing grade. I don’t want to really brag about this, but I think I have to.” I faced the guy who mocked me and gave him a smug look. “Actually, I have almost not received the approval regarding my transfer because of my outstanding academic record in my previous department. If you don’t want to believe it, you can go ask the Dean of COE for your satisfaction.”

Our professor smirked at what I said and I even heard Symon mumble, “Show off, sweetie.”

“Mr. Santos, any other words? I think you better keep your mouth shut if nothing good will come out of it before you would totally embarrass yourself,” Mr. Ramirez told our rude classmate before shifting back his gaze at me. “Ms. Tuazon, please continue.”

“AB Literature is really the program that I wanted to take since then. It was just my parents who wanted me to become an engineer like my dad.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here with us. Welcome to the class, Ms. Tuazon.”

I just politely smiled as an answer and Mr. Ramirez proceeded already with his discussion. My stare accidentally landed on the annoying bitch earlier and I caught her staring at me which made me frown. She immediately tore off her gaze from me then fixed her attention to our professor in front. Was she really staring at me earlier?