Chapter 1
I’m Commonly Uncommon
“First Day of College”
“SABRINAAAAAAAAAA—WAKE UUUUUP!”
If there’s such a thing as murder by megaphone, Tanya would’ve been arrested that morning.
She was literally standing by my door, screaming like the building was on fire. I groaned and buried my face into my pillow, covering my ears because—no. Just no. I was not emotionally, mentally, or spiritually ready to wake up.
First day of college.And somehow, she was excited.
I really don’t get that girl.
“We’re going to be late!” she yelled again, now right beside my bed, shaking my shoulder like I’d fall into a coma if she stopped. “Do you want to miss the introduction?!”
“Yes,” I answered immediately, without even opening my eyes.
She stared at me like I just confessed to a crime.
Unlike Tanya, I’m not a social butterfly. I don’t sparkle in rooms or collect friends like souvenirs. If I had to describe myself—well... I’m normal. Painfully average.
Not ugly. Not beautiful.I might have the body of a goddess—genetics did one thing right—but my face? Plain. The kind you forget five minutes after meeting. I dress normally, nothing trendy, nothing bold. I don’t chase fashion or aesthetics. I just wear what’s clean.
I’m not “smart-smart” either. I did okay in high school, even excelled in a few subjects if I really tried, but genius? Please. Sports? Same thing. I can do them... I just don’t shine. Nothing ever sticks long enough for me to pursue it seriously.
It’s like I’m always stuck in the middle.Not bad. Not great.Just... there.
So yeah—maybe I’m common.But somehow, I’m commonly uncommon.
I finally forced myself out of bed because Tanya wouldn’t stop pestering me—and because she’d started doing that stupid puppy face she knows I can’t resist. As if not introducing myself on the first day would end my entire existence.
I took a quick shower, fixed myself up, and put on my newly ironed uniform. Simple. Done.
I don’t wear makeup—not because I’m against it, but because I honestly don’t know how. And I don’t want to look like I’m deceiving people with something I can’t maintain. Tanya, on the other hand? Complete opposite.
She can spend over an hour on her makeup and hair, perfecting every detail. Meanwhile, I just blow-dry my hair, tie it into a ponytail, and call it a day.
And just like that, my first day of college officially began—with a headache, a megaphone, and a best friend who had way too much energy for seven in the morning.
After what felt like a full geological era, Tanya finally finished putting—what—her hundredth layers of foundation on her face.
Don’t get me wrong, I love her. I really do. But sometimes her makeup-and-beauty addiction is on a whole different planet.
This was the same girl who nagged me nonstop about being late. And here she was, casually spending more than an hour blending, contouring, baking—probably cooking a full meal on her face at this point.
“You look annoyed,” she said playfully as she locked the dorm door. “Why?”
I didn’t give her the answer she was clearly fishing for. Mostly because I was busy imagining what it would feel like to pin her perfectly contoured face onto the floor.
We headed straight to her car and drove to campus—slowly. Painfully slowly. Like turtle-with-a-walker slow. Tanya had just gotten her license, plus a brand-new car from her parents, which apparently meant she now drove like the road might suddenly explode.
“Can we move a little faster?” I groaned, gripping the seat.
She gasped like I’d insulted her ancestors. “I’m being careful!”
“I’m being late,” I snapped.
At that moment, I promised myself I would never let this girl hold car a key again. We argued the rest of the ride, and by the time we reached campus, my patience was officially dead.
We rushed toward our homeroom on the third floor—because apparently whoever designed this school hated freshmen. By the time we got there, my legs were burning, my bag felt heavier, and my soul had partially left my body.
We entered the room, and thankfully, the homeroom professor wasn’t there yet. Everyone else, though? Already seated.
I scanned the room and spotted an empty seat near the window. Perfect. Quiet. Peaceful. Away from people.
Tanya, on the other hand, immediately abandoned me and settled herself right in the middle of three good-looking guys, like it was her natural habitat.
“What a slut,” I murmured under my breath.
I had just settled into my chair when a guy walked in—smug expression, big headphones resting around his neck.
And I swear, the air in the room shifted.
He was... annoyingly handsome. Like Greek god, Apollo-level handsome. Girls turned to stare like they were ready to eat him alive.
As expected, Tanya was already eyeing him like she was planning something illegal.
I shook my head, brushed the guy out of my thoughts, and turned to the window. I plugged in my earbuds, telling myself there was zero chance I’d ever interact with someone like that anyway.
Then—
Someone sat on the empty chair beside me.
I noticed it through my peripheral vision but refused to look. I didn’t care who it was. I just wanted to survive the day.
Until—
“AH!”
I nearly jumped out of my seat.
I whipped my head to the side—and froze.
It was him.The smug, Apollo-looking guy.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, as I stared at him like I’d just seen a ghost. I realized I was staring.
Too long.
“Love what you’re seeing, huh?” he said casually, a teasing smirk playing on his lips.
My face burned.
I scoffed and turned away so fast I almost got whiplash. “In your dreams.”
He just laughed.
Annoyed. Frustrated. Definitely embarrassed.And absolutely not flustered—nope. Not at all.
Before he could say anything else, the classroom door opened.
Conversation died instantly.
A woman walked in—coffee in one hand, a stack of papers in the other. She looked young, but the way she scanned the room told everyone she was in charge.
“Good day, everyone,” she said. “My name isJesse Chu-a, but you can call meJess. I’ll be your homeroom professor for your freshman year.”
She smiled. “We’ll start with self-introductions, then move on to assigned seating.”
Great.
For a brief, hopeful moment, I was relieved. Assigned seating meant I wouldn’t be stuck beside this smug face all year.
Then Jess pointed straight at me.
“Let’s start with you.”
Of course.
Every head turned—including his. I was seated at the far end of the classroom, completely exposed.
If life had a writer, I’d like to personally flip them off.
I stood up, taking what felt like my last breath.
“Good morning,” I said softly.
Beside me, someone giggled. Quietly. Like this was fun.
I ignored him.
“My name isSabrina Reyes,” I continued. “I’m not really good at anything... but I’m not bad either. I guess I’m just somewhere in the middle.”
I paused, then added, “So—please be good to me.”
I sat down immediately.
Silence.
People stared at me like I’d just handed them a puzzle they didn’t know how to solve.
“That’s an interesting way to introduce yourself,” the smug guy beside me murmured.
“Just what kind of lunatic are you?” I muttered back.
Jess blinked, slightly puzzled, then smiled politely. “Thank you, Sabrina.”
She turned to the seat beside me. “Next.”
The smug guy stood.
"Warren Stanford,” he said. Nothing else. Then he sat back down.
That was it.
A girl from the back laughed. “That’s all?”
Warren glanced over his shoulder. “Didn’t realize this was a talent show.”
The class chuckled.
Oh. I already hated him.
Introductions continued.
When it was Tanya’s turn, she practically performed—listing hobbies, interests, and nearly her entire life story before Jess gently cut her off.
Finally, introductions ended.
“Alright,” Jess said. “Assigned seating.”
My anxiety returned full force.
Names were called. Chairs scraped. People shuffled.
Then—
“Sabrina Reyes...Warren Stanford. You’ll be seatmates.”
I blinked.Once.Twice.
You have got to be kidding me.
I moved to the assigned seat, already annoyed, already exhausted. Warren sat first, relaxed like he’d expected this.
“Looks like we’re stuck together,” he said.
“Lucky me,” I replied flatly.
He laughed under his breath.
We sat in silence for a few seconds. Or at least, I tried to.
“So,” he said casually, tapping his pen, ”in the middle, huh?”
I turned slowly. “Excuse me?”
“You said it yourself,” he continued, tone innocent. “Not good. Not bad. Just average.”
My fingers curled around my notebook.
“That bothered you?” I asked. “Didn’t know my personality affected your life.”
He studied me for a moment. “Most people try to sell themselves better.”
“I don’t,” I said. “I don’t lie.”
A small smile appeared. “Interesting choice.”
“Is there a point to this,” I snapped, “or are you just naturally annoying?”
He chuckled. “Both.”
I turned back to the board.
Then he leaned closer.
“So, Sabrina Reyes,” he said quietly, “what are you actually good at?”
“Ignoring people,” I said. “Want a demonstration?”
He laughed again. “You’re feisty for someone who introduced herself like an apology.”
That did it.
“Listen,” I said, turning to him, “I didn’t ask for your commentary, so if you could just—”
“Relax,” he cut in lightly. “I’m just curious.”
“Well, don’t be.”
He leaned back, hands behind his head. “Alright. I’ll stop.”
Finally.
“...for now.”
I slammed my notebook shut a little harder than necessary.
He glanced at it, amused. “See? Not bad at all. You’ve got spirit.”
I stared straight ahead, ears burning, blood bubbling like lava.
Perfect.
First day of college.And I wasn’t just seated next to trouble.
I was seated next to someone whoenjoyedpressing every single button I had.
End of Chapter 1
