Another semester at university is about to begin. I have a few courses I can’t drop because they are obligatory for my degree and I can’t take them later if I want to graduate on time. And I do want to graduate on time, mostly since my dad would absolutely lose it if I didn’t. It’s my own fault for leaving them to the last minute, I tried taking them earlier, but they were such a drag I just couldn’t do it. Now I have to suffer through them, thanks a lot past Audrey. 

Being back on campus is fun at least. Meeting up with friends and classmates really energizes me. Being the center of attention on campus, I feel like I’m in my element. The only thing that annoys me is how people always gossip about me, but that’s the price you pay for popularity, I guess. And I can’t blame them for thinking about me and speculating about my every move, if I were them I would focus on me too. 

So, overall I’m feeling pretty good as I walk towards my first class with a few classmates I’m sort of friends with, but who I wouldn’t spend time with outside of school. They’re the kind of girls that want to leech of my popularity and it’s pathetic how much they try to suck up to me. But always having a few lackeys around is useful. Just wish my lackeys would at least dress a bit better, I think Becca is actually carrying a fake designer bag, acting like it’s real. 

“Nice bag, Becca”, I say innocently, trying on my nicest smile. It almost turns into a smirk. I don’t want to embarrass her by commenting on it, but I think she noticed from the look on my face that I know it’s fake, because she did look slightly abashed before she mumbled a quick thanks. Camilla on the other hand is wearing actual designer clothes, but they’re so last season she must have gotten them on sale, unless she’s just really into sustainability or something. That would explain not getting new clothes. 

We get to the lecture on time, which is surprising because I’m usually late to everything, but today I made an effort since it’s the start of the semester. I already know I’m going to struggle with this course, so not making a bad first impression on the professor is the least I can do. Usually struggling with a course wouldn’t be such a big deal, but since I can’t drop it, I need to really focus this time. I briefly think about having Becca and Camilla do the work for me, but I know from past experience that they’re not the sharpest tools in the shed, so to speak. In this case I could probably get a higher grade by doing the work myself. 

I take a seat near the back of the lecture hall, Becca and Camilla following right behind me. I see a few people looking my way and whispering to their friends, I’m used to it. Besides it doesn’t seem like they’re talking shit, most of them look adoringly at me. I pretend like I don’t even notice the attention I’m gathering by just existing. 

The professor walks in and immediately starts going over the course structure and basic information, I tune most of it out. This could have been an email, I think to myself. 

I must have missed something, because everyone groans. I look up and see the words “group assignment” on the projected screen at the front of the lecture hall. I sigh, damnit, I really just wanted to get this done by myself. I hope at least we don’t get to pick our group, because then I’ll be stuck with dumb and dumber here next to me.