Chapter 1.

Artheena sighed as she stared at the huge banner that was hanged on the arch of the school gate that says 'WELCOME TO DREAM UNIVERSITY!'

This University was built for young individuals who have an interest in singing and dancing. It has other courses too, but the system focuses more on enhancing the capabilities of those who bear the talent for dancing and singing.

Artheena got expelled from her former school due to her countless bad records and numerous reports from students who claimed that they were 'beaten' by her. Though half of it was true, the other half wasn't.

Many students and most of her professors dislike her. The only reason she lasted four years in that school was that the higher-ups couldn't deny her intelligence and even though she had caused trouble left and right, she managed to maintain straight A's for four consecutive years.

Sadly, she failed this time. Supposedly, it's her last year, and then she'll finally finish her horrid nightmare. Unfortunately, the records were even more than what was written in the school's 'RULES AND REGULATIONS' book, so the majority of the school's staff, professors, and the Principal itself ended up expelling her.

Her father went through thick and thin begging from University to University just to accept her, but none did. Luckily, Dream University was owned by one of her father's old friend and they went through discussions about her issue. It took a good week before class starts when they agreed to accept her.

"Artheena Veronique Tuan," she introduced herself in front of her new classmates.

Mrs. Zhong, her new adviser, smiled at her. "Take a seat, darling. You can carve your name here, and then put it in front of your table for ownership." Mrs. Zhong then handed her a nameplate and a sharp tool for carving.

She didn't say anything in response and just accepted it before walking towards an empty chair second to the last row from the first column at the right.

The table is long and can accommodate four students. Two chairs on each side and in the middle is a mini drawer. Artheena wanted to sit on the chair beside the window, but she saw a nameplate, and in it was carved the name 'Jeno Lee'

She sighed and sat on the chair beside it. "Yo! My name's Mark, this my friend, Haechan. And the one you're sitting with is Jeno. Though he's not here at the moment," Mark greeted. The guy who was her seatmate from the right and was only separated 3 inches by the drawer.

Artheena looked at them flatly before dragging her gaze lazily at the front. "Pfft-"

Haechan and Mark rolled their eyes before slowly looking at the person behind them. Jisung flashed an innocent smile while shrugging.

"Ok class, let's start from the basics." Mrs. Zhong started and wrote something on the board.

Half an hour had passed when someone knocked on the door. Mrs. Zhong halted from her discussion. "Oh, you're here. How's the meeting?"

Jaemin smiled. "Everything's cleared, ma'am," he answered.

Mrs. Zhong let out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear. Alright, go to your seats. We're in the middle of a lesson."

They no longer say anything before heading towards their respective chairs. Chenle noticed Artheena, so as the others.

Artheena didn't look at them ever since they entered the room. She was looking at the front, staring particularly at nothing. Jeno sat aggressively beside her. She even heard the creaking sound of the chair.

Mrs. Zhong went back to her discussion and as she discussed the lesson deeper, the more Artheena was spacing out. She can hear Mrs. Zhong talking, but she paid no attention.

Her gaze dropped at the empty nameplate. She almost forgot to carve her name in it. She sat straight as she grabbed the plate and the tool used for carving.

She wanted to carve her initials only, but she noticed that most students wrote their first and last names. She scanned the tool before carving her name.

~Veronique Tuan~

Artheena was so preoccupied that she didn't realize she cut her finger. Jeno, Mark, and Haechan saw how the tool dug right through her skin as fresh blood started streaming down to her arms.

Before Artheena could attempt to dig the tool once again, Mark gripped her hand tightly. Artheena jolted at the sudden touch. She glared at Mark.

"You cut yourself," Mark said worriedly while staring at her left hand soaked with blood.

Artheena looked down at her hand and that's when she felt the discomfort and pain. Mark pressed his lips before raising his hands. "Excuse me, ma'am," he called out.

Mrs. Zhong motioned her hands to let him speak. "Artheena accidentally cut her fingers, will you please excuse her?" He said.

"Tiān a!" Mrs. Zhong exclaimed as she runs closer to where Artheena is. "Jaemin, dài tā qù zhěnsuǒ! Kuài diǎn! Kuài diǎn!"

TRNSLTN: Oh my gosh! Jaemin, bring her to the clinic! Hurry! Hurry!

Jaemin stood up immediately and held Artheena's arms to help her stand up. "Excuse us, ma'am," he slightly bowed his head before assisting Artheena out of their classroom.

When they were outside, Artheena instantly withdraws her arms from Jaemin's grip. "Don't touch me," she said coldly while glaring at the hallway.

Jaemin was taken aback and awkwardly scratched his head. "Sorry..." he mumbled. Enough for her to hear.

Their walk to the clinic was enveloped in silence. Jaemin held the door open for Artheena to enter. He motioned his hands to a chair to let her sit. "Mish," he called out.

A petite girl wearing a white coat with fair skin and cute specs that perfectly matched her messy bun hair peeped through the curtain. "Oh, Jaem. Need anything?"

Jaemin turns to his side for her to see Artheena. "She's our new classmate," he introduced.

"Oooh..." Mishka nodded before waving her hands to Artheena. "Hi!" She greeted.

Artheena only blinked before looking to the other side. Mishka slowly dropped her hands out of embarrassment. She looked at Jaemin.

"She...she's just not used to it, I guess," he explained.

Mishka smiled and nodded her head. "What happened?" She asked and went to Artheena.

"The usual. It's that tool again," Jaemin answered and sat at the table beside Artheena's chair as he watched Mishka examined her wounds.

"Tsk! Tsk! They should replace it with something not so sharp and harmful." Mishka stood up and grabbed a kit. "Many students have been accidentally wounded and yet they haven't done anything!"

Mishka gently cleaned Artheena's wound before applying a disinfectant ointment and carefully wrapped it with gauze.

"Right, you're the school's president Jaem, exactly what are you doing?" Mishka perked up at him.

He chuckled. "Oh, I have done a lot, ok? The final decision should still be decided by them. Not me."

Mishka snorted as she gently rested Artheena's hand back on her lap. "There, all done," she said and smiled at her.

"Thanks," was all Artheena said and didn't spare any seconds to leave.

Mishka stood there. Speechless. "What's her name?" she asked Jaemin while still looking at the door.

"Artheena Veronique Tuan."

'Tuan...' Mishka said in her thoughts.

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