Joyce’s cheeks flushed an even deeper red. It was the first time anyone had ever truly praised her.

    At first, she had felt a little uneasy–Alessia was from a wealthy family, after all, and Joyce couldn’t help but wonder if her kindness was just pity. But deep down, she Knew Alessia wasn’t that kind of person.

    Still, their backgrounds were worlds apart. Joyce was only human; she’d seen the worst sides of people, and sometimes, dark little thoughts crept in.

    “If… if you don’t mind, my family grows a lot of fruit back home. I could bring iyou /isome next time.”

    “That sounds wonderful.” Alessia always looked people straight in the eye when she spoke. Joyce used to shy away from her gaze, but now, as she met those clear, beautiful eyes, she found herself briefly hypnotized.

    “Me too! I want some!” Esme and Mia chimed in, crowding around with excitement.

    “Okay, I actually brought a little this time. I’ll… I’ll share some with you allter.” Honestly, her dad had told her to bring the fruit to share with her roommates, but she’d been too shy, afraid they wouldn’t like it.

    But just as Alessia had said, everyone’s circumstances are different. It felt so much better to admit things openly and honestly than to force herself to fit in.

    The two weeks of orientation training flew by. After surviving what felt like boot camp for the hopelessly unfit, only Alessia and Joyce seemed to have any energy left; Mia and Esme looked like they were one step from the grave.

    “Mia, Esme, time ito /iget up! I already got breakfast for you,” Joyce called out cheerfully.

    “Thanks, Joyce,” the itwo /igirls mumbled, still half–asleep.

    “Still not up?” Alessia entered just as Joyce finished speaking.

    Mia finally rolled out of bed, eyes half–shut, stumbling toward the sink. Esme, meanwhile, flopped back onto the mattress, groaning dramatically.

    “Seriously, what kind of school starts sses the day after orientation ends? Would it kill them to give us one day off?b” /b

    “Oh, stop whining–just ept your fate,” Joyce teased. She’d reallye out of her shell since bing friends with the others. Sometimes she even joked around,

    09:38

    though her voice was still soft and gentle.

    “You two are something else,” Mia said, toothbrush in hand, speech muffled. “One of you is the campus princess, the other looks like she could blow away in the wind–how are you both totally fine? One’s up at dawn for a run, the other for breakfast.”

    “I grew up helping out on the farm,” Joyce replied with a shy smile. “Working under the summer sun is normal for me. This training was just standing around outside; honestly, it wasn’t that hard.”

    “I’ve had physical training since I was little. I’m used to it,” Alessia added.

    Mia just shook her head in surrender. “Unbelievable.”

    Luckily, even though they’d slept in, Esme was quick. The four of them left the dorm together in no time.

    “Oh, your boyfriend’s here again,” Mia said, nudging Alessia and waggling her brows.

    “Wait for me a sec,” Alessia said, heading off.

    The other three linked arms, watching Alessia’s retreating figure.

    “So jealous. Where do I have to pray to get a boyfriend like that?” Esme sighed.

    “Love is for the foolish,” Mia dered with mock wisdom. “I just want to know which way I have to face to be reborn as Alessia in my next life.” After two weeks together, her aloof persona had faded, leaving only her goofball side.

    “You can’t even be jealous–she’s way out of our league, All I feel is awe at this point,” Esme said.

    Joyce understood exactly what they meant. When someone was so far ahead, the urge topete just disappeared.

    Alessia didn’t hear any of their chatter as she walked over to Cole.

    Cole was tall and striking, and waiting outside the girls‘ dorm, he naturally drew a lot of attention. But he just stood there, head bowed, holding a bag in his hands–looking almost ridiculously well–behaved as he waited for the one person he wanted to see.