A Glamorous Start to College

The blaring alarm shattered the silence, yanking Yvienna from her dreams. She bolted upright, her eyes wide with shock. "What the hell?" she muttered, rubbing her temples before grabbing the nearest pillow and pressing it over her face. The lure of sleep was too strong to resist—until a sudden realization hit her like a thunderclap.

"Shit! It's Monday!" she yelped, tossing the pillow aside with a vengeance. Panic surged through her veins. It was her first day as a second-year college student, and she wasn't about to start it late. She launched herself out of bed and dashed into the bathroom.

A whirlwind five minutes later, she emerged, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. Tugging a comb through her locks, she called out, "Yaya Mirna!" Her voice echoed sharply through the room. A tentative knock followed moments later, and Yvienna flung the door open to reveal her maid.

"Yes, Señorita?" Yaya Mirna asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"Iron my uniform," Yvienna commanded, gesturing to her closet with a flick of her wrist.

Yaya Mirna nodded quickly, hurrying toward the closet.

Yvienna tightened the sash of her bathrobe as she continued her interrogation. "Is my breakfast ready?"

"N-not yet, Señorita," the maid stammered. "You called me before I could finish cooking it."

Yvienna's face hardened, her temper flaring. She crossed her arms. "So now it's my fault?!"

"N-no, Señorita," Yaya Mirna murmured, lowering her head.

"Oh, just shut up and do your job!" Yvienna snapped, but her tirade was cut short when her mother stepped into the room.

"Yvienna!" Her mother's sharp tone carried a weight of authority. "Why are you shouting at Yaya Mirna?"

"She's irritating me, Mommy!" Yvienna huffed, her frustration spilling over.

Her mother's stern gaze softened as she massaged her temple. "Darling, she's older than you. Show her some respect."

"Whatever," Yvienna muttered, brushing past her mother and stomping out of the room.

Downstairs, she spotted Lira, another maid, lounging on the couch. The moment their eyes met, Lira sprang to her feet. "G-good morning, Señorita," she greeted hesitantly.

"What's good about my morning when I have to see your ugly face?" Yvienna retorted icily. Lira's eyes widened, but she said nothing. Yvienna stepped closer, her voice lowering to a menacing whisper. "Cook my breakfast. Now."

Lira scurried to the kitchen, and Yvienna sighed in irritation. Sitting at the dining table, she pulled out her phone, smirking as she read the messages from her best friend.

From: BFF

Hey Yvienna! Where are you?! I'm waiting at the gate of our university.

From: BFF

What the heck, Yvienna? I've been waiting for too long!

Yvienna chuckled and typed back quickly.

To: BFF

On my way.

Of course, it was a lie. She smirked to herself.

By the time breakfast arrived, she wolfed it down, rushed upstairs to get dressed, and perfected her look with a swipe of powder and a spritz of perfume. Admiring her reflection in the mirror, she grinned. "Omg, I'm so pretty!" she exclaimed, grabbing her bag before heading to the garage.

Mang Betong, their driver, was already waiting. He greeted her with a smile, but she brushed past him. "Faster! I'm late!" she barked, sliding into the car.

At the university gates, she stepped out, waving him off dismissively. "I'll text you when I'm done."

Tiffany Elyze Gonzales stood by the entrance, her arms crossed and her glare sharp. "You're late!"

Yvienna threw her arms around her best friend. "I'm so sorry! Next time, I'll take a bath faster, I promise."

Tiffany sighed, but her expression softened into a smile. "Come on, let's go."

As they walked through the halls, whispers trailed behind them.

"Look, they're so pretty," someone murmured.

"Yeah, but I hate that brat's face," another sneered.

Yvienna stopped abruptly, their words hitting her pride like a slap. She turned, her arms crossing over her chest. "First of all, I'm not poor, so shut your ugly mouths!" she snapped. "Oh wait—are those flies heading to the canal? Oops, my mistake. That must be your mouths!"

Silence fell like a curtain as she flipped her hair and strode away. Tiffany giggled. "Bestie, you're savage. But you know, actions have consequences."

Yvienna frowned. "What consequences?"

Tiffany stopped outside their classroom and grinned. "Like forgetting we're here already."

Relieved, Yvienna laughed as they slipped into their seats. Tiffany leaned closer, pointing at a boy in the front row. "That's Andrew."

"And?"

"I used to have a crush on him," Tiffany whispered, "but now I hate him. He's a jerk."

Yvienna smirked. "You're so dramatic."

Tiffany huffed, then lowered her voice. "Do you know Kyle Light Zamora?"

"No."

"He's Andrew's friend—and the son of the university owner."

"Is he good-looking?" Yvienna teased.

Tiffany smacked her arm lightly. "Yes, but don't get any ideas!"

Yvienna laughed. "Relax. I'm not interested. Love isn't on my agenda now."

Tiffany's expression softened. "Good. Your ex wasn't worth it anyway. High school boys are just heartbreak waiting to happen."

Yvienna's face darkened briefly, memories flashing through her mind. Her high school relationship had been a whirlwind of emotions—one she'd vowed never to repeat.