The New Student
Chapter 1: The New Student
The Health Sciences College campus was divided by opposites. On one side was Lopes: handsome, popular, and carrying an arrogant attitude that still didn’t stop most girls from chasing after him. On the other side was Selena: beautiful, polite, kind, and affectionately known as the “campus princess.” But behind her smile, Selena carried the trauma of her breakup with Lopes, who had cheated on her with Jasmin.
While talking with her friends Bianca and Camila, Olivia came running toward them, almost out of breath.
— Girls, you won’t believe what I just overheard in the principal’s office! — Olivia said, trying to catch her breath.
— Just say it already, Liv! Don’t leave us dying of curiosity — Bianca complained.
— My God, let her breathe first. What happened, Liv? — Selena interrupted.
— The principal was on the phone. Tomorrow a new student is arriving from Los Angeles. And from what I understood, he’s the son of one of the college’s main shareholders.
— A new student in the middle of the year? — Camila asked, surprised.
— If he’s the owner’s son, then he’s probably another spoiled jerk just like Lopes — Bianca rolled her eyes.
— I just want to see what he looks like — Camila admitted.
While her friends kept speculating, Selena’s eyes drifted to the other side of the courtyard. Lopes and Jasmin were walking together, laughing. Selena’s stomach twisted painfully. It hurt seeing the person she once loved looking so happy with someone else.
— I’ll be right back — Selena said, her voice slightly shaky.
— Where are you going? — Olivia asked.
— To the bathroom.
Selena splashed water on her face at the sink, trying to push away the memories. Seconds later, the bathroom door opened. It was Jasmin.
— Well, well… the princess came here to cry? — Jasmin mocked, crossing her arms.
— Don’t start with me, Jasmin. I’m really not in the mood for you today — Selena replied without looking at her.
— Aw, scary. Let me make something clear, sweetheart: I’m not afraid of you. And everyone knows your popularity only existed because of my boyfriend. So stop acting so superior.
Jasmin turned around and walked out, leaving Selena clenching her fists in anger.
As Selena left the bathroom, still trembling slightly, she crossed paths with the algebra teacher in the hallway.
— Selena, there you are. Principal Catherine needs to speak with you immediately in her office.
Selena’s heart started racing. She had never been called to the principal’s office before, and the fear of being in trouble quickly crossed her mind. She walked toward the office door, took a deep breath to gather courage, and knocked.
— Good morning, Principal.
— Good morning, Selena. Please, sit down — Principal Catherine said professionally. — I imagine you’re surprised I called you here.
— Honestly, yes. Did something happen?
— It’s something simple, but important. Tomorrow we’ll be receiving a new student from the United States. I want you to be responsible for showing him around campus and organizing a short welcome presentation.
Selena frowned immediately.
— What? Why me? With all due respect, Principal, but I have better things to do than spend my day acting like a tour guide for some rich daddy’s boy.
Principal Catherine gave a small smile but kept her serious posture.
— Straightforward as always. But you don’t really have a choice, Selena. First, because you’re our top student with the best grades. Second, because you’re fluent in English, which will make his transition easier. I know you’ll do a great job. You may go back to class now.
As soon as Selena left the office, she ran into her friends waiting in the hallway.
— So? What did she want? — Camila asked immediately.
— She wants me to guide the new student around campus and prepare a welcome speech — Selena sighed.
— That’s amazing! We’ll be the first ones to talk to him! — Olivia celebrated excitedly.
— Why do you look so annoyed? Don’t you want to welcome the freshman? — Bianca asked.
— Seriously, girls. Do you really think I’m in the mood to play tourist guide right now?
— Then why did you agree? — Bianca questioned.
— Because the principal made it very clear that I didn’t have a choice — Selena answered, defeated.
The next morning, Selena was finishing getting ready when her phone started ringing on the bedside table.
— Hello? — she answered quickly.
— Selena, where are you? — Principal Catherine’s voice sounded anxious.
— I’m leaving home right now, Principal. I’m about to catch the bus.
— Don’t be late. You have exactly thirty minutes to get here.
Selena grabbed her bag and rushed out onto the street. To her despair, the bus stop was crowded, and the first buses passed by completely full without stopping. Time was running out, and she could already picture the disappointed expression on the principal’s face.
Suddenly, a car slowed down beside her. It was Augie, her longtime friend.
— Selena? What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn’t you be at college already?
— I’ve been waiting forever for a bus! I’m super late.
— Get in. I’ll take you there.
— You just saved my life, Augie! — she said while getting into the car.
During the drive, Augie complained about his new boss, who was apparently unbearable, helping distract Selena from her nervousness. By the time they arrived at campus, the courtyard was already crowded. Students and teachers were gathered near the main entrance.
— Thank you so much, Augie. See you later.
— Anytime. Good luck! — he waved before driving away.
As soon as Selena stepped into the courtyard, Principal Catherine approached her.
— Thank goodness you’re here. They’ll arrive through the gates in five minutes. Get ready.
Selena tightened her grip on the paper where she had written her welcome speech. She just wanted the day to end already. All this excitement felt ridiculous to her. After all, he was just another student.
Three black armored cars drove through the main gates and parked in a line. Security guards stepped out of the front and back vehicles before opening the middle car’s door.
A tall boy stepped out.
He had brown hair, striking amber eyes, and an effortlessly stylish appearance that made the entire courtyard fall silent for a second, almost like a scene from a Korean drama.
Principal Catherine stepped forward.
— Welcome to our Health Sciences College. I’m Catherine, the principal of this campus.
— Nice to meet you. You can call me Brain — the boy replied calmly.
The principal turned toward the students.
— Everyone, this is Brain. Please make him feel welcome and help him feel at home. And this is Selena, who will be responsible for showing him around campus.
Selena stepped forward, forcing the friendliest smile she could manage.
— Hi, Brain. Where would you like to start?
— What do you mean? — he asked, raising an eyebrow.
— I prepared a formal welcome speech for you — she said sarcastically. — Want me to read it?
— Go ahead — Brain replied, amused by her attitude.
Before Selena could answer, Camila, Olivia, and Bianca quickly approached them.
— Hi! — the three girls said together.
— Hey, girls. I’m Brain — he introduced himself politely.
— Nice to meet you, Brain. I’m Camila, and these are Olivia and Bianca.
While the girls kept talking to him, Selena got distracted for a moment, staring into the distance and thinking about how messy her love life still was. Forgetting Lopes was harder than she wanted to admit.
— Brain, should we go inside? We need to start the tour — Selena interrupted, trying to end the conversation.
— Are you always this impatient, or is it just today? — Brain asked while walking beside her with a slight smile.
— Almost always. You’ll get used to it — she replied.
As they crossed the main doors, whispers immediately started around them. Several girls followed Brain with their eyes, commenting quietly about how attractive he was.
— So, I heard you’re the best student here — Brain commented while observing the hallway murals.
— Where did you hear that? — Selena asked, surprised.
— I did some research before coming here. Your name shows up in almost every important project on campus.
— It’s teamwork. Everyone here helps each other when needed — she minimized, stopping in front of a row of lockers. — Well, this one will be your locker.
Luke and Tiago, two friends from their group, approached them quickly.
— Hey, aren’t we going to class today? Professor Sarah sent an email saying tutoring is about to start — Tiago informed them.
— Who’s the guy? — Luke asked, pointing at Brain.
— Guys, this is Brain, the new student. I’m showing him around campus — Selena explained.
— Hey, man. Nice to meet you — the boys greeted him with a handshake.
— I think we should head to class now. The rest of the tour can wait — Tiago suggested.
— You’re absolutely right — Selena agreed, relieved to finally have an excuse to stop the tour.
— Then let’s all go together. I’m also in my final year — Brain said while adjusting his backpack on his shoulder.
They all walked together through the hallway toward the tutoring classroom. Along the way, Jasmin was already waiting near the door after hearing rumors about the new student’s arrival.
As soon as the group entered the classroom and started sitting down, Jasmin walked straight toward Brain’s desk.
— So you’re the famous new student from Los Angeles? Nice to meet you. I’m Jasmin.
— Brain. Nice to meet you too.
— What do you think about sitting over there with us? It’s much better, unless someone here has a problem with it — Jasmin said while flipping her hair and throwing a provocative glance at Selena.
Selena gave a fake smile, refusing to let herself be affected.
— You can take him, Jasmin. And while you’re at it, finish showing him around campus too.
Brain immediately noticed the tension in the air. He looked at Jasmin, then at the empty seat beside Selena.
— Thanks for the invitation, Jasmin, but I think I’ll stay here instead — he said before sitting near Selena.
Professor Sarah entered the classroom shortly after, organizing her papers on the desk.
— Everyone, please take your seats — she said while looking around the room. — I heard we have a new student today. Could you stand up for a moment, please?
Brain stood up calmly.
— Could you tell us your name and where you came from?
— My name is Brain González. I recently moved here from Los Angeles.
— Welcome, Brain — Professor Sarah said with a warm smile. — Please sit down. Since you’re part of Selena’s tutoring group along with the others, I’m sure they’ll help you catch up with all the subjects.
Brain nodded and sat down again while the professor started writing on the board.
Selena opened her notebook, already feeling that the school year, from that moment on, would be completely different from what she had imagined.
