Prologue
"The chances are slim. They said the university sets great expectations. I'll never make it to the cut."
My roommate was currently chewing her nails as she blabbered about it several times already. I could sense her discomfort as her eyes darted at the clock from time to time.
"Stop overthinking, Flor! You did well." I assured her as I heaved a sigh. "We've seen those flyers for a reason. You'll get picked in the final selection, I promise."
It had already been a week since my mother dropped me off at the university, in which I met Flor Dominggo, a freshman like me. Both of us had not yet adjusted to this new environment, but Flor had already stepped up her game by auditioning for the school's dance troupe. And yet, as I watched her chewing her perfectly trimmed nails, I could see the exasperation in her eyes; a feeling that was also mirrored in mine.
The glossy flyers had advertisements that showcased the university's extracurricular activities. And now, all that Flor could ever think about was making it to the final cut. Deep inside, I knew she would make it. After all, she said she was a cheerleader in highschool. And, I saw how physically fit and coordinated Flor was the moment she walked in this room. She's got that aura that we only saw with dancers. Surely, the judges had seen that in her too. She had been enthusiastic when she received the flyers and had even spent her lunch break practicing.
"How about you?" she asked, giving me that quizzical look that always demanded answers. "Don't you want to join--?"
"The dance troupe? Not in a million times. You should have seen me on my JS prom," I interjected with a chuckle. "It was the only decent dance performance that I ever practiced but I still managed to hurt my partner's foot! Good thing he had a crush on me so it still turned out fine."
"No, silly! I wasn't talking about the dance troupe. I know you don't have a talent in dancing."
"How honest of you," I replied, laughing a little at her bluntness.
"But"--her finger pointing at me--"you can join the school publication. I've read your journal! Girl, do not ever let that talent go to waste!"
My smile was completely wiped out of my face as I stood there, horrified. "Why did you read my journal?"
Flor immediately looked guilty when her gaze darted on my face. "I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to pry, I swear. I just happened to see your journal on our desk last night. You were writing about some technological advancement that involves cloning or whatever. I don't usually read serious articles like that but, I don't know, I guess, I was just drawn to your writing style."
Her last statement sounded more like a question, and I can't help but smile.
"I'm sorry, Bree. I hope you're not mad.
"I'm not mad, Flor," I replied with nonchalance. "People will eventually read it anyway."
"Really? Oh my gosh!"
I almost laughed again when her cat-like eyes popped open in utter shock.
"Will it really be published somewhere?"
"It's just a part-time job."
Her genuine excitement had led me in telling her about my involvement with a certain newspaper publishing house in our town.
"I had been submitting opinions and feature articles to them since I was fifteen and they loved it. It just started as a hobby and I never knew that people would be interested. Before I knew it, I was already getting commissioned work."
"So, you are indeed a writer!" she exclaimed with wonder as she lay beside me on the bed. She smelled of baby cologne.
"Sometimes I also write science articles like the ones you've read, but it's no big deal. I'm still a novice writer."
"You have to apply, Miss Aubrey de la Serna. I'm sure the university will be glad that someone like you shows up to apply."
"I thought you were having second thoughts?" I replied with a sly grin. She chuckled as the side of her body was now ridiculously cuddled with mine.
"That was me, not you. I'm sure you'll pass the screening. Besides, there's a scholarship grant! You said you needed an extra."
I contemplated about it once more. The school was offering a handsome reward for student leaders. Free tuition, free lodging, and other perks such as the exemption of mandatory attendance for school event. Which means, you'll save yourself from school fines and other monetary obligations. All these will be in exchange, of course, for the services that you will render the school as a student leader.
"It's not bad, actually. But I am still a freshman and despite the experience I have with the local newspaper in town, I'm not sure if I could pull it off."
Flor raised her eyebrows, and with an exaggerated roll of her eyes exclaimed, "Duh! That's the reason why the university offers extracurricular activities. This is the training ground."
I had known that for a fact even before I trudged on the premises of the school. It's just that, college seemed scary and a such a whole new world to me. And being a regular student meant I had to maintain at least an average of 1.6 GPA. For someone like me whose education was the only ticket to a better life, I cannot fail.
"I'm sure you'll pass," I heard Flor's voice crawling back into my mind and shoving my unsolicited thoughts away. I could only heave another sigh.
"I'm sure you'll also pass the audition."
We only looked at each other and laughed.
Flor had been amazing since day one--showing me around campus and talking about her life before college. It turned out that this university was not her first choice, but her dad forcibly enrolled her here. It was a big decision, she said.
But then again, I guess she and I will be making big decisions like that in order to survive the college jungle.
