Matrix's P.O.V

"Let's go," I told Ruv. She inhaled and exhaled, obviously anxious. I wondered how this day would end and I was sure that what she was thinking was quite different from mine. 

She was expressionless but her actions were saying something. She was feeling something. Definitely. 

She grabbed her bag and, together, we exited their mansion. Throughout the car ride, all I could think about was how I was getting adept at living in their mansion. I've seen and met Ruv's sisters and brothers. They were restless, but in a good way. They were teasing and laughing about everything. It was nice. They looked at peace. Ruv was having a happy time as well. 

Everything settled in quite easily. I adjusted well- not that they were really giving me a hard time. One thing was for sure. They kept on complimenting me about how handsome I look and how it suits me. Honestly, they were a couple of warm siblings to me at that point. They were really kind to me and they shared a laugh with me with no prejudice. 

"Are you okay?" I asked Ruv. She was gripping her bag very hard and I knew that she wasn't going to be okay if she kept on thinking about what would happen. 

She sighed and nodded her head.

I see. 

Another thing I've noticed was that Ruv doesn't state her feelings, or share them. The discomfort that she was feeling, she was used to keeping it to herself. What a strong, independent woman. 

That has got to be tiring. 

"Fine," she replied coldly. 

"Alright." 

Not only was she the only one who had a companion, her sisters and brothers as well. It was to avoid unnecessary problems and dangers in their lives. You can really tell that they're siblings, because they all look so similar, not like me and my sister. 

I gripped the steering wheel, nearing our school. It was big and I could see students crowding in, falling in line as they waited to get inside. I parked the car and it drew attention. Not many, but it sure did. This was the latest model, if I say so myself. I got out of the car and opened the car door for her. She was surprised to see me already opening the door for her. She was spacing out so I managed to open the door for her. 

"I'm sorry, I was spacing out." 

"No worries. You do that a lot." she looked at me for a second before stepping out of the car. I closed the door and followed behind her. 

People were wearing designer bags, expensive jewelry and accessories. I could tell that this was really a school for rich people. I gulped, already feeling overwhelmed. Ruv, who was in front of me, was scrolling through her phone, reading something. 

"Allyssa is already inside," she said without looking at me. 

"Who?" 

"Oh, your future classmate." 

How did she know that we were going to be classmates? Was the system here different from in the Philippines? Well, I should've researched. My fault. Stupid me. 

"Your best friend?" 

"Mhm," she hummed without looking at me again. 

The line moved and moved until we finally got inside. The structure inside the school was magnificent and majestic - clean. It was as if sanitation became a building. The tiles were white, the ceiling and the walls were white as well. Not a single spec of dust or dirt anywhere. Wait, there is - me. I looked around and followed Ruv to her classroom. 

"Why are you following me? Your building is there." she pointed to the other side of the hall. 

"I'm going to see you off to your classroom." 

"You really don't have to." 

"Eh?"

"Do what you want." 

We walked in silence while people stared. That feeling of overwhelmed came back, but I held my ground. I kept looking forward and forward only. Ignoring the stares that I always hate getting. 

"This is me," Ruv said, and took a peek inside the classroom. She smiled and turned to me, showing me her sweet smile. It made me want to smile because her smile looked so cute. 

"Alright. I'll come back after I'm done with my orientation." 

"Mhm, Allyssa already knows what you look like. She'll approach you." 

My eyebrows raised, but she was already gone before she could see them. I turned and walked to my department's building. I had to struggle searching for my classroom. I suck at finding directions, but thankfully, I did. I looked around, searching for a vacant seat, when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a girl, a few centimeters taller than me. She had a genuine smile on her face and she looked really approachable. 

She was with a guy. 

"Matrix?" my shoulders slacked. 

"Allyssa?" she nodded her head eagerly and pulled the guy from behind her next to her. He smiled at me and I returned the gesture. I didn't want to appear rude. 

"Ah, this is Zyann. Aimee and we were classmates back in high school and I guess we're gonna be classmates." she said, smiling so vibrantly.

"I see. Did Ruv tell you everything?" 

I didn't want to talk. I hate talking because it drains me. My social battery was of poor quality. That’s my bad.

"Yes, she did. She also told us that you were really attractive," Zyann said with a smile on his face. It wasn't the flirty type though. It was as if he was insinuating something and Allyssa giggled, getting what he meant. 

"Indeed she did and indeed you are," Allyssa said. 

"But enough chitchat. The orientation will be starting soon." Zyann said, and started walking first. 

Ruv thought that I was attractive?

We found our seats and, throughout the whole morning, all I could think about was how this was going to change all of my life. After the orientation, Allyssa said that they were going to meet with Ruv and this Niyebe person. But they said that they were only going to meet up somewhere. 

"I need to fetch Ruv." 

"Noice, alright." Zyann said with a smirk on his face. I shook my head with a giggle. He was being a vibe and Allyssa was being a sweet girl. I find them highly tolerable and likeable. 

"We'll meet you there," Allyssa said and pulled Zyann towards her. 

"Alright." 

The hallways were crowded with pre-med students. As it turns out, we need to wear our uniforms tomorrow because tomorrow was going to be the official start of our classes. The industry had a system where, at every end of the school year, we were expected to take a test to see whether we were worthy of becoming medical staffs. Capping at its finest. And if we were to fail midterms, we would have to take remedial tests. 

I peeked inside Ruv's classroom and found her talking with a girl. I'm guessing this was Niyebe. They were talking but the girl noticed me and informed Ruv that I was already waiting outside. Ruv turned and saw me. She grabbed her bag and, together with the girl, they approached me. Before they could step out of the classroom though, Ruv took a look back inside.

"Hi, you must be Matrix." Niyebe extended her hand and I shook it happily. 

This girl has a lot of friends. I panicked. 

"Hey, yes, that is me. You must be Niyebe." she smiled and nodded her head. 

"You're here early?" Ruv asked. 

"Am I?" she nodded her head. 

There was something off about Ruv's bag so I turned my head to the side a bit to take a clearer look. I was right. It had something heavy in there which wasn't there this morning. With a swift movement, I grabbed the strap and carried her bag. 

"Woah," Niyebe said, amused. Ruv was shocked to see that I was already the one carrying her bag. 

"Wha- that's-" 

"It's heavy. Don't worry. I'm used to carrying heavy stuffs." 

"But that's mine? My bag?" I shook my head. She sighed. 

"Fine. Let's just go. Honestly, I'm so weirded out by the stares than your ninja-like movement." 

"Agets." Niyebe said. 

"Agets?" I asked for clarification. 

"It's 'Ah, I get it'." my mouth formed a tiny 'o' before I nodded my head. 

We started walking. I honestly didn't know where we were going, but I didn't mind. Ruv smells so nice. I can smell it whenever she does something. She smells so divine that I can't help but silently sniff her. 

Gross. Me. Apparently.

"There," Ruv pointed to the second floor of what seemed like a cafe. 

"Ah, right. Okay," 

We walked inside and walked up the stairs. My eyes immediately found Zyann and Allyssa at the far end of where the window was. They waved and Ruv and Niyebe hurriedly ran to where they were. Once I was there, I placed Ruv's bag and mine beside me and sat down. 

"It's just the first day and this school is already giving me a headache," Ruv said, shaking her head and sighing. 

"Tell me about it, gurl. Like, hello? Classes start tomorrow? Like, what the actual fuck?" Zyann groaned. 

"Don't forget to mention the capping at the end of the school year," Niyebe added. 

"Ugh, please don't remind me. When I heard about that, I was shaking." Allyssa shook her head. 

"I know, right? I already know that I'm not going to pass it." Ruv said. 

"Oh, please, you were our valedictorian." Allyssa pursed her lips. 

"I have no more motivation to do well in school," Ruv confessed. 

I was just being silent here when my name suddenly popped into the conversation. 

"What about Matrix?" Zyann asked, wearing his goofy smile on his face. He wiggled his eyebrows at me, making me laugh. 

"Everyone's already talking about how good-looking you are," Niyebe said. 

"Eh? I'm not doing anything." 

Ruv looked at me, not saying anything. 

"I know, right? I heard whispers at the orientation earlier." Allyssa giggled. 

"I think we should order." I interrupted their conversation. I wasn't one to take compliments well. I suck at accepting those. I've always hated myself. That wasn't a question that needs any explanation. 

"You go do that." Ruv said. 

Of course, why would she think that I was going to let any of them order? I stood up and nodded my head. 

"What are your orders?" 

They told me their orders and I started walking away. 

"Wait!" Niyebe said. 

"Oh? What is it?" she tilted her head to the side. 

"Aren't you going to repeat what we just said for clarification? Just to make sure?" 

Ah, right. I forgot about that. I'm not in the Philippines, so they didn't know. I repeated their orders one by one and I watched them stare. 

"Did, did I get one wrong?" Ruv blinked a couple of times. 

"You got all of that in one sitting?" she asked. 

"Ah, yes. Is there a problem?" 

"Okay, I feel like the world is being unfair," Zyann said. 

"You can go now. Thank you!" Allyssa said. 

"A'ight." 

I went downstairs and ordered. The cashier told me to wait, so I waited. Not a few minutes after, the order was finished. I carried it to our table and they were all complaining about school again. I set the tray down and gave them their orders like I was a waiter. 

"Where's yours?" Niyebe asked. 

"I'm not a fan of those," I stated simply. 

"Why not?" Zyann asked, already sipping on his. 

Ruv was beside me, Zyann and Allyssa were in front of us, while Niyebe was on the other side of the table. 

"I haven't tried any, and I don't plan on trying one." 

Ruv slid hers to me. She had already sipped it. I looked at the straw with malice. 

"Try it." she said with such a bossy tone that I just had to try it. 

I gulped, not sure of what to expect. When I took a sip, it was as if the world was teasing me. Everything went silent and the only thing that could be heard was my breathing. I sipped on the same straw that Ruv was using. 

One sip was enough and it already drove me crazy. 

"How is it?" Niyebe asked. 

"Sweet." honesty was going to save me for now. 

"See? It's delicious. You should've bought yourself one." Ruv said and snatched her drink away and started sipping and biting on the poor straw. 

"Indirect kiss, nice." Zyann stated. 

"You're shipping them like crazy. What's up with that?" Allyssa asked Zyann.

They weren't even trying to hide it from us. 

"I can totally relate to Zyann," Niyebe said. 

"Eh? How come?" Allyssa asked.

"They look great together." 

"You guys are crazy," Ruv said and rolled her eyes. 

The rest of the day was spent going around school, memorizing paths and searching for possible hangout areas.