MY ONE AND ONLY YOU

The New Girl

“So quiet.”

Plants and a tree visible through the fence surrounded Gaby as she sat on a bench outside her college apartment. The tree’s branches cast long shadows across the building, creating an atmosphere that felt both peaceful and slightly eerie.

She glanced at her watch. It was almost six o’clock.

Dinner time, and I’m alone in the flat, she thought. A strange mix of excitement and loneliness stirred inside her.

A few moments later, she heard voices coming from inside the apartment.

Her heart skipped.

Maybe my housemates are here.

Curiosity quickly pushed aside her hesitation.

As she approached the front door, laughter drifted from within. Gaby swallowed hard. This was her first time living with other people.

I’ve read stories about roommates fighting because of clashing personalities, she reminded herself, hoping her new housemates would be friendly.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened the door.

The three women inside immediately turned toward her.

“Hello,” she said shyly, feeling warmth creep into her cheeks.

“Oh, my God!”

All three screamed at once, making her jump.

A pretty woman wearing shorts and a white T-shirt rushed toward her. She stood around 5′6" and wore a haircut that perfectly framed her face. Without hesitation, she grabbed Gaby’s arm and guided her toward the others.

“Hi! Are you our new roommate?” she asked excitedly.

“Yeah!” Gaby laughed nervously. “My name is Gabrielle Shin Johnson, but I prefer Gaby.”

“Oh, thank God. We thought we’d have to wait longer.”

The woman grinned.

“I’m Sasha De Leon. This is Ashlee Alonzo, and this is Arabella Anderson, though everyone calls her Belle.”

“Hi!” Gaby greeted them with a smile.

The two women openly admired her.

Gaby shifted slightly under their attention.

Like Sasha, Belle had long ash-brown curls. She had a strong nose bridge, full curves, and long legs that made her stand nearly as tall as Gaby at 5′8".

“You’re beautiful!” they blurted out almost simultaneously.

“Seriously,” Ashlee added. “Your skin looks amazing. And those eyebrows. Are they real? Your dimples are adorable!”

Ashlee sat beside Belle.

She was just as striking, with short curly hair and a morena complexion. Unlike her friends, she had an athletic figure that reflected her love for sports, stunts, and anything adventurous. Yet somehow, she still looked like someone who belonged on a beauty pageant stage.

“Oh my gosh, Gaby,” Ashlee said. “You’re gorgeous.”

Gaby giggled.

“You girls are pretty, too. Honestly, I love your figure. You look great.”

Ashlee’s eyes widened.

“Really? You like my skin tone?”

“Of course.”

“Ashlee, you look beautiful,” Gaby assured her. “Your skin tone suits you perfectly. Have you ever joined a beauty pageant?”

Ashlee laughed proudly.

“Yeah. I actually won one back in middle school.”

“When did you get here?” Belle asked.

“Not too long ago.”

“What’s your major?” Sasha asked.

“I’m a third-year civil engineering student.”

“Oh, nice,” Belle said. “I’m taking tourism.”

“I’m in BS Business Administration,” Sasha said.

Then Ashlee raised her hand dramatically.

“And I’m a third-year political science student. Nice to meet you, Gaby.”

A rush of happiness swept through her.

My roommates are cool.

The nervousness she’d carried all day began to fade.

“Were you ever a beauty queen, celebrity, or actress?” Ashlee suddenly asked. “Just curious.”

Gaby laughed and shook her head.

“No way. I wish. It’s just a dream.”

“Why would that be impossible?” Belle asked. “You already have everything people look for.”

“Because it’s hard out there.”

Belle smirked.

“I bet you’re one of those girls who always has boys chasing after her.”

“That’s what makes you so beautiful,” Sasha added.

Gaby could only smile.

“You all look amazing, too. Honestly, I feel lucky to be living with such nice people.”

“We understand,” Belle teased.

Gaby laughed.

They’re sweet. This is going to be a great experience.

“We’re not trying to brag,” Ashlee said, “but the three of us used to be known as the college sweethearts.”

“The female version of the campus heartthrobs,” Sasha added.

“Almost every guy in school had a crush on us.”

“Really?” Gaby laughed. “Then you three must’ve been famous.”

“Not three anymore,” Sasha said with a sly grin. “Now there are four of us.”

“I can’t wait to see the boys’ reactions tomorrow.”

Gaby laughed again.

It’s impossible not to like them.

Suddenly, the front door swung open.

Two young men walked in.

“Hi, girls. Miss us?” one of them asked.

“No,” Sasha replied immediately.

“Sasha, stop being so rude,” the other teased. “I know you secretly like me.”

Sasha raised an eyebrow.

“Excuse me? You are not my crush and never will be. Your confidence is unbelievable.”

The guy chuckled before noticing Gaby.

“Oh!”

Both men froze.

“I thought this was a house,” Matt said dramatically. “Turns out it’s a home for angels.”

The room erupted with groans.

Matt strode over and took Gaby’s hand.

“Hello, Miss Beautiful. My name is Matt. I may not be the nicest person in the world, but God must love me because He sent an angel to visit.”

Gaby laughed.

“Hi. I’m Gaby.”

“See?” Matt pointed triumphantly. “Even her name is beautiful.”

Before he could continue, Ashlee and Sasha shoved him.

Matt stumbled backward and nearly fell onto the couch.

Riki stepped forward next.

“Hello. I’m Riki.”

He shook her hand politely.

“And unfortunately, Matt is right. You’re beautiful.”

“Nice to meet you,” Gaby replied, laughing.

A second later, Ashlee shoved Riki too.

He stumbled onto the couch and landed awkwardly beside Matt.

“Hey!” Matt protested. “You weigh a ton!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

The room quickly filled with jokes, teasing, and stories, especially about how Matt and Riki constantly argued with Sasha, Belle, and Ashlee.

“Are these the famous heartthrobs?” Gaby asked.

“You mean Matt and Riki?” Sasha said.

“These two are definitely heartthrobs. A lot of girls have crushes on them.”

Gaby smiled.

She hadn’t expected her first evening to feel this comfortable.

Her family owned the university. Her father was a renowned builder whose projects stretched across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. Her mother was a respected cardiothoracic surgeon known throughout Canada and parts of Europe.

The university had been founded by her father.

As one of the most expensive schools in the country, SU offered student apartments that felt more like luxury homes. Each unit included a spacious living room, a kitchen, four bedrooms, and shared facilities downstairs, while the upstairs rooms provided privacy for each resident.

“There are four of them, actually,” Ashlee said.

“You’ve only met two.”

“Wait, seriously?” Gaby asked. “There are four heartthrobs?”

Sasha nodded.

“Four ridiculously rich and good-looking guys.”

“The girls on campus never stop talking about them,” Ashlee added with a giggle.

Gaby smiled.

“Talking about their looks?”

“Their bodies too,” Sasha replied without hesitation.

Everyone laughed.

“Clark and Dylan are even more popular,” Sasha continued. “Especially Clark. He has a huge fan base.”

Dylan?

Gaby blinked.

No way. My best friend can’t be that Dylan.

A mix of disbelief and excitement rushed through her.

“It’s easier to approach Dylan than Clark,” Ashlee said.

“Are they really that famous?” Gaby asked.

The conversation instantly reminded her of Hana Yori Dango, one of her favorite manga series.

Sasha laughed.

“You have no idea. Girls go crazy over them.”

Gaby found herself laughing too.

“So where did you study before coming here?” Belle asked. “The semester already started a while ago.”

“I used to live in Canada,” Gaby replied. “I wanted to continue my studies here.”

“Whoa,” Belle said. “You’re from another country?”

Gaby nodded.

As laughter filled the apartment once more, she felt something warm settle in her chest.

For the first time since arriving, she felt like she belonged.