After taking a hot shower, I slipped into my favourite printed white T-shirt and layered it with a green bomber jacket.
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I hastily glanced over my watch, it's already 8.36 a.m. Today's the grand orientation and it will commence in less than 30 minutes. I scanned through my reflection in the full-length mirror.
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"Is this, okay?" I muttered to myself while tucking my white shirt into my black pants.
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The ray of warm sunlight from outside beamed over the mirror, making the grey iris around my pupils glistened a delicate hue. I tied my long wavy hair into a high ponytail and left a few strands loose. I checked myself for the last time, making sure to look as simple as possible, but neat at the same time. I didn't want to give a bad first impression to the people here.
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Satisfied with myself, I quickly snatched my backpack and paced towards the door. It's almost 9 and I can't be late for the orientation. I ran along the hallway finding my way to the venue of the event.
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It took me about 15 minutes to reach the venue, including the countless times I got lost on my way here. Standing in front of the venue entrance were two muscular men guarding the huge door into the auditorium. Ignoring them, I made my way in just to be blocked by those men. I looked at them confused.
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"Um, I need to go in." I said.
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"We need to see your invitation card."
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"I don't have one."
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"Then we can't allow you to enter." They moved closer to the entrance, completely blocking my path.
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My eyebrows furrowed. As far as I knew, I hadn't received any invitation card from the college. Maybe those invitation cards were just given to the parents or honorary guests instead of the students.
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"No, I think you're mistaken. I'm actually a student here."
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Not replying, they only stared at me with doubt painted all over their faces. I shrugged looking at their expression.
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"Wait. Let me take out my name card." I told them as I rummaged through my backpack. Seconds passed, but I can't seem to find it.
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"Where the hell did I put it?" I mumbled underneath my breath as I unconsciously strode backwards. Suddenly, a high-pitched voice shrieked behind me as I felt some cold liquid splashing over my red sneakers.
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I instantly turned around and saw a tall girl behind me. Her dark brown eyes were wide open, looking so shocked. I was dazed for a moment at the sight in front of me.
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She then lifted her face up and shot me a murderous glare.
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"God, what is wrong with you?!" She yelled at me. I was so bewildered by the situation that I didn't even know how to react or what to do.
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"I-I'm so sorry." I stammered. Her clothes were splashed with little stains of cold coffee. Feeling burdened by the guilt, I took out a checkered handkerchief from my backpack and wiped off the little stains on her clothes, but she quickly dodged away.
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"No, you're destroying it!" She yelled while flicking her luminous silky black hair in annoyance.
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"I can help wash it if you don't mind." I kindly offered to her.
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Her long lashes batted a few times as those dark brown eyes glared at me with disbelief. I was stunned by her profound beauty, but I quickly bit my bottom lips hard, not to lose focus. To be honest, the stain wasn't really that bad. She can just simply wipe it off with some water. I don't even know why she's making a big deal out of it.
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"Do you even know how much this costs? You don't just go and WASH it." Her voice sounded harsh as she aggressively pointed at the stains on her cloth.
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My eyes fell onto her white tweeded blazer. The small, detailed design on her blazer were carefully stitched in a very exquisite manner along with a number of little white pearls. No wonder she was so mad. I gulped down a lump in my throat, hoping she won't ask me to pay for it.
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"What's the matter here?" The tension between us was suddenly interrupted by a deep voice.
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I turned my face towards the voice. A middle-aged man was standing beside us with his arms crossed. He seemed like a highly educated person with his thin grey hair and those rimless oval glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose. I read the nametag pinned on his brown coat, 'Prof. W. Martin'.
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The girl in front of me didn't give an answer. She just rolled her eyes towards me, signaling Professor Martin to look at me. It's as if she's saying I'm the one at fault here. Well, can't deny that since I'm the one who bumped into her.
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"Sir, it's an accident and I've already apologized to her." I tried to clear the tension between us by explaining to him.
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"May I know who you are?" Professor Martin asked as he eyed down to the cloth I'm wearing. Compared to the girl beside me, I looked so plain in this tacky outfit. Like someone who doesn't even belong here in the first place. To be precise, an outsider.
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"I'm a student here. Evelyna Grace." I stated eagerly, a bit insecure with my own self. Professor Martin paused for a while as if he just heard a familiar name. Oh, I hoped he recognizes who I am.
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Instantly, he parted his lips in realization.
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"Right, you're one of those receiving our full sponsorship."
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"Yes, sir." I said, letting out a breath of relief.
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I can sense the girl beside me scowling in disbelief. Scanning at my appearance up and down as she mouthed the word 'ridiculous'. I pushed my hair back, feeling a bit agitated by her reaction. 'Control yourself...' I reminded myself.
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"I'm afraid you didn't read our dress code for today's event, Miss Grace."
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Hearing those words, my eyes started moving towards the people around me. I also took a quick glimpse at the people inside the auditorium.
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Everyone seemed to be wearing a fitted black blazer with a white tailored cotton dress-shirt underneath. Long ruffled sleeves were flowing beautifully around the cuff of their blazer. It was a typical law student attire, but more vintage and stylish.
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"I apologize, sir. I was just notified about the grand orientation yesterday."
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"Looks like she wasn't invited." The girl sneered insolently with a smirk.
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"Miss Quinn." His voice sounded like a warning as he shot her an angry look.
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The girl glared back at him which was very rude of her. However, Professor Martin just ignored her and turned his focus back to me. Maybe he's already used to the students' snotty behaviour since majority of them came from rich families.
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"Let's officially introduce you guys to each other. This is Evelyna Grace." He pointed at me. She didn't even spare a tiny glance at me. Completely ignoring my existence in front of her.
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"One of the most honored students who aced in their college entrance exam and received Lunde’s full scholarship." Professor Martin added.
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"And, Miss Grace. This is Alora Quinn.” He then pointed at Alora. “One of our most cherished student who plays the strings in our college's band, the Mellow of Lunde."
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I was quite astonished after hearing that she's from the college's band. Who in the world doesn't recognize Mellow of Lunde? They won so many trophies and awards around the globe for their excellent orchestra performances. For so many years, they have kept their title as the best orchestra band among other colleges. Divided into four groups, the band consists of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Among those four, the strings were the most favourable in the group. They were even invited to royal ceremonies.
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I gulped anxiously looking at her.
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"Since both of you are our college's MOST precious students. I hope you could be nice to each other." Professor Martin said as he raised his eyebrows, ogling expectantly at both of us.
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Burdened by the pressure he gave, I cracked an awkward smile at Alora while extending my hand for a handshake.
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“Nice to know you.” I forced a smile for her.
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She ignored my gesture with a frown plastered on her face. I pursed my lips into a thin line, slowly pulling back my hand. Oh well, looks like it's not going to work for both of us, Prof Martin.
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Professor Martin was also perplexed by her behaviour. I quickly took a step backward.
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"I'll excuse myself then." I said before things could get more worst and complicated.
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"Ah, yes, Miss Grace. Allow me to escort you." Professor Martin snapped out of his bemusement and lead me the way to the entrance.
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"Thank you, Professor Martin."
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"No problem." He replied with a smile as we walked towards the auditorium.
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I didn't even dare to look back at her. I could feel Alora's sharp stare piercing at the back of my head which sent cold shiver down to my bones. God, how can someone so beautiful be so terrifying!
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••━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━••
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The orientation was nearing its peak. Everyone was clapping profusely after hearing the speech given by the college honorary guest. Best known as the ‘Pillar of Lunde’ because he sponsored almost everything here, including my scholarship. In other words, the college’s main source of money. Now, all that’s left is the last performance that’ll be performed by the college seniors.
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I waited restlessly in my seat for the event to end. I couldn’t help but feel pressured being squished in between these two students sitting beside me. They were throwing glances at me like I’m a green bean in this bomber jacket, but I just ignored those glares.
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“For the grand finale, I would like to present to you guys our college most treasured gem… Mellow of Lunde!” The host became more enthusiastic as the crowd’s cheer boomed throughout the auditorium. I quickly focused my eyes onto the stage as the cheering grew louder.
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The huge red curtains drew slowly, revealing a group of people in white well-tailored uniforms. Sewn on their uniform were tiny droplets of beads, sparkling as the spotlight shone upon them. They all sat in a very elegant manner, with various wooden and metal instruments in their hands. The view on the stage literally took seconds of my breath away. It was ethereal.
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As expected, out of all those performers, the strings stood out the most. They sat at the front row, where there’s five people including Alora. Despite her rude demeanor, Alora indeed looked like an angel up there with golden harp placed in front of her. There were also a cello and a viola. The violins were placed in the middle of all the other strings, one with a classic wooden violin and the other was an electric one. I couldn’t deny their beauty, they were all attractive in an indescribable way. Did the college intentionally selected good-looking students for the strings?
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The strings started off with a soft heavenly melody. Then it slowly escalates to the woodwinds, brass, and lastly the percussions. Emerging a spectacularly beautiful melody. People have been playing the works of those composers for centuries, but theirs were exceptionally unique. Through the end, they were all playing in great harmony as they passed a smooth transition to the electric violin for a closing solo performance.
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All eyes were now focused onto the guy playing the electric violin.
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I dare swear to God that our ears were instantly blessed as he moved his bow carefully along the strings of his instrument. An intense solo ode emanated throughout the auditorium, filling it with a complex yet lovely tune. It was a captivating experience. He stared immensely through the crowd as he perfectly pulled off the last note. I was quite mesmerized by his clear hazel eyes, covered in bits of golden flecks. A satisfying smile that cracked from his radiant rosy lips illuminated the darkest corners of the room like a sudden beam of sunlight. I was stunned. His beauty was beyond compare. Since I stepped inside this college, I haven’t yet encountered anything hideous, except for myself. Well, I wouldn’t say I’m ugly, just a little unsightly.
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The guy up there, he gave off a different aura from the others. His head was tilted slightly to the left as his virile jaw rested at the corner of his electric violin. He looked remarkably charming. As though he knew that the angle would hallmark his facial features, which suites the title of a young Adonis.
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I could see the sparkling eyes of the female students as they admire the glorious sight of him. Instantly, I could sense that he’s one of those popular guys where girls would chase around like a typical college should have.
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Just as the curtains were about to close, I could sense a horrifying vibe coming from the stage. Feeling a bit anxious, I looked up the stage. There, I saw Alora, and the other string members were glaring at me unanimously. A heavy sigh came out of my lips as I eyed them from my seat. I could vividly imagine how tough it would be if one were to get involved with the five of them.
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However, I was still glad that the performance ended flawlessly without a single duff, which also concluded today’s event. This means that I could go back to my room and have a good long slumber.
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As I exited the auditorium, I headed my way back to my room. Nearing the dormitory’s lobby, I saw the group of strings standing in front of the hallway. I quickly slowed down my pace. How did they get here so fast? Is it because of me? I almost made a U-turn, but I didn’t want to overthink it too much. I have no idea what they’re here for. It seemed like each of them had coffee in their hands. Probably, they’re just loitering around…right?
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I tried to keep a positive mind, but it slowly collapsed when they suddenly turned around towards me with a wicked smile plastered on their faces.
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And, here I am staring back awkwardly at them.
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Dear God, bless me and my life.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWNL7Z1QE3
