Chapter 2: Two Blondes

Jade’s POV

I suddenly had long, beautiful golden blonde hair when I woke up, and a fair complexion that I could only dream of. There was a line of maids and nannies who catered to each of my needs after I woke up in the morning.

Dad became an indifferent and cold father, just like my two older brothers who acted like two blocks of ice. We are now living in a mansion that I used to dream about when I was a little girl. Everything feels surreal. 

There was also that luxurious car that brought me to this private school. Tuition must be sky-high, right? How are we even able to afford this much?

As I was busy pondering, I felt someone sat beside me. There was no need for me to turn my head to know who the person is. I have a strong sense of smell so I remember what kind of perfume a person uses. From his cool fragrance, it was the guy from the car earlier. 

I’m not that introvert – I just don’t like to be in the middle of crowded places and socialize with many people. For me, reading books is more fun than talking with people. Mingling with people drains the energy I have in my system. 

“Aunt told me that you haven’t eaten breakfast yet, so she asked me to give you this.”

The guy put the lunchbox in front of me. 

Aunt? Is that supposed to be my mother? Mom? But I didn't see her earlier...

I turned my head to the lunchbox in front of me. Indeed, mom loves me more than those three monkeys!

I smiled and took the lunch box. I raised my head and looked up at the boy – his somber amber eyes were staring back at me. I was surprised for a moment that I stuttered. 

"... Thank you... for giving me this..."

He nodded his head and sat down beside me. 

Eh, what was his name again? Jean Pierre Morris? Kinda familiar. Where have I seen that?

"Jean, can I ask a question?"

"You already are."

"You don't have to be sarcastic."

"Ask me."

This guy in front of me… he feels familiar, but looking at his face, I haven’t met someone as good-looking as him. 

“Can you tell me what kind of relationship we have?”

“You’re really asking me that question?”

“Yeah. Is something wrong?”

“Are you asking me because you don’t know, or are you asking because you suddenly became dumb?”

I quit. I never would have thought that a bookworm wannabe like him could say many words. I thought he was the silent type. Guess I was wrong. 

“We’ve known each other for more than two decades, and you’re asking me that dumb question? What’s going on inside that head of yours, Heather?”

“Heather? Who is Heather?”

“...”

Jean stared at me before lightly flicking my forehead with his index finger. I let out an ‘aww’ and caressed my forehead. Why did he have to hit me so hard?

“Hey, how could you do this to me?”

“I’m trying to wake up your sleeping common sense.”

“Hah! Is this how a gentleman should treat a lady?”

“Ask yourself, Heather. Are you even a lady?”

“You…!”

I don’t know why, but this guy is making me angrier. Besides my two older brothers who consecutively ignored me this morning, I now declare that I have a personal grudge towards him! 

I was going to say another thing when I heard the sound of the stick being hit on the table. I rolled my eyes at him as I straightened my back and sat upright. I didn’t even know how I did that, but my body moved on its own. 

I saw a woman in front who appeared to be our teacher, and standing beside her was a girl with hair as blonde as mine. It looks like we’re going to be in the same class, which is just nice. Haha.

“Everyone, she will be your new classmate. Introduce yourself.”

“Hello, everyone! I am Rosine Vista and I hope that we will get along together as classmates and friends!” 

She then bowed her head in full ninety-degree. Her eyes were shaped like a crescent when she smiled, flashing her teeth. She is quite energetic.I say, she’s pretty but not as beautiful as me. 

'Where have I heard that name? I swear I knew that name.'

Some things start to bother me. First, my name, which happened to be Heather Jade Aczen, then the guy sitting beside me, Jean Pierre Morris. Lastly, the name of the girl in front, Rosine Vista. This is just crazy. To think that these names were the same as the characters of the book I was reading before I fell asleep. Perhaps…. 

No, that would be utterly impossible! How in the world can I travel inside a book and be a character, right? That’s just scientifically impossible!

Moreover, from the very first time I saw Rosine, I felt a dislike that couldn’t be explained in words. You know, that feeling that you just dislike a person even though you’ve never met each other before. And perhaps, they just had the same name. After all, people could have the same name. 

“Where should you sit… ah, there, behind Morris. You can take that seat.”

“Thank you, Teacher!” 

Behind Morris? 

‘Heh, it just so happened that there was a vacant seat behind us and she was to sit there. What are the odds, right?’ 

The way she introduced herself was downright childish; I kept feeling annoyed by it for some reason. Or maybe it was this body’s reaction and not mine. Could it be that there is a connection between these two? I’ll have to find out. 

Rosine walked towards our direction and directly sat down behind Jean. When our eyes met, I noticed how her eyes slightly wavered so she flashed an awkward smile at me. She must have been thinking of when she fell earlier and realized how embarrassing it was to ask someone why they pushed you, when in reality, you tripped by yourself. How funny. 

'I could see where this is going.’

Rosine avoided my eyes when I looked at her; instead, she turned her head toward Jean, who hadn’t even glanced her way.

"Hi Jean! I hope we get along."

Silence.

Was she expecting something? I waited to see if Jean would give some kind of reaction, but there was nothing – utter silence.

I felt bored and didn’t look at her anymore, turning my attention in front. Whatever this world is, I will find out about it sooner or later. First, let’s study and learn.

***

I learned that it was only the first semester of our academic year and that is why it was possible for students to transfer schools taking the same major. I am a graduating student, and so is Rosine. Just like in my world, you can transfer schools as long as you took all the competencies needed in that major. It would also be great if you have passing grades so it wouldn’t become a problem later. This frequently happened in my school. 

Reasons why students transfer varied. Some transfer because of their family problems, or others, such as experiencing bullying. Whatever the case, Rosine had a reason for herself as to why she changed schools. 

It wasn’t because she had broken family or experienced any bullying. She came from a poor family, and that was why she worked hard to get a scholarship from a school like this one. If she just enrolled here without a scholarship, it would be impossible for her given her background. She needed a valid cause to study here, and that is scholarship. 

I don’t know why, but I feel like everything was strange. I just had this ominous feeling that my life in this world wouldn’t turn out that well.