chapter 2: My three best friends
1354 Words
The black Rolls-Royce glided through the streets of Oceana before coming to a smooth stop in front of the grand gates of Oceana Elite High School.
The chauffeur hurried to open the rear door.
Before he could, the door swung open from the inside.
A cheerful eighteen-year-old girl stepped out with a bright smile on her face.
She stretched lazily before turning toward the elderly chauffeur.
"Thank you, Mr James."
The old man smiled kindly.
"It's my pleasure, Young Miss."
He looked at her for a moment before speaking again.
"Remember to eat the lunch your mother prepared."
Selena giggled.
"I know."
"And don't skip classes."
"I won't."
"And don't—"
Selena quickly hugged his arm.
"Uncle Ben."
He chuckled.
"Alright, alright. Have a wonderful day."
"You too!"
She waved enthusiastically before slinging her backpack over one shoulder and skipping toward the school gate.
The security guards immediately greeted her.
"Good morning, Miss Selena."
"Good morning!"
She greeted them with the same bright smile before entering the school compound.
The campus was already buzzing with activity.
Students chatted excitedly as they made their way to their classrooms.
Some hurried to finish assignments before the first lesson.
Others gathered beneath the large trees, laughing over jokes from the previous day.
The moment Selena entered...
Several students noticed her.
"Morning, Selena!"
"Good morning!"
"Hi, Selena!"
She smiled and greeted every single person who spoke to her.
"Morning."
"Have a great day."
"You too!"
Despite being the only daughter of the Valencia family—the wealthiest and most influential family in Oceana—Selena had never allowed her status to change who she was.
She never ignored greetings.
She respected her teachers.
She treated the school cleaners with the same kindness she showed the principal.
Perhaps that was why almost everyone in the school liked her.
As she walked past the flower garden, she stopped beside a group of younger students struggling to carry a stack of textbooks.
"Need some help?"
The little girl nodded shyly.
"Y-Yes..."
Selena immediately picked up half of the books.
"I'll carry these."
"Thank you, Senior Selena!"
"It's nothing."
After helping them reach their classroom, she continued toward her own building.
She had barely taken a few steps when someone suddenly jumped behind her and covered her eyes.
"Guess who!"
Selena didn't even pause.
"Victoria."
"Aww!"
The hands covering her eyes disappeared.
"You didn't even pretend to guess."
Selena turned around laughing.
Standing before her was Victoria.
She had sparkling brown eyes and an infectious smile that seemed capable of brightening anyone's mood.
Victoria was the life of every gathering.
She loved jokes.
She loved pranks.
And she loved teasing Selena more than anything.
"You've been using the same trick since middle school," Selena said.
"I keep hoping you'll forget."
"I won't."
Victoria sighed dramatically.
"My best friend doesn't appreciate my creativity."
Selena burst into laughter.
"What creativity?"
Before Victoria could defend herself...
Another voice interrupted.
"Shouldn't both of you be in class already?"
The girls turned.
Walking toward them was Elena.
Unlike Victoria's lively personality, Elena carried herself with confidence and quiet maturity.
She was slightly taller than the others and had a calm expression that rarely changed.
"Elena!"
Selena immediately ran over and hugged her.
Elena smiled as she returned the hug.
"Good morning."
Victoria placed a hand over her heart.
"The favoritism hurts."
Selena blinked innocently.
"What favoritism?"
"You hugged Elena."
"You guessed me."
"I deserve a hug too."
"You attacked me."
"I call it a surprise."
"I call it attempted murder," Elena replied calmly.
Selena laughed so hard that she almost dropped her backpack.
"You two are impossible."
"We're making your morning interesting," Victoria said proudly.
"And succeeding."
The three girls continued chatting as they walked along the pathway.
Suddenly...
A soft voice came from behind them.
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
They turned together.
A beautiful girl walked toward them carrying several books against her chest.
She wasn't as loud as Victoria.
Nor as calm as Elena.
Instead...
She carried herself with quiet elegance.
Every movement she made seemed graceful.
Her long hair danced gently with the morning breeze.
"There you are!"
Selena smiled brightly before pulling her into a hug.
"Good morning, Stella."
Stella smiled warmly.
"Good morning."
Victoria folded her arms.
"Our squad is finally complete."
Elena nodded.
"The famous four."
Victoria tossed her hair dramatically.
"The four queens of Oceana Elite High."
Selena laughed.
"You gave us that title yourself."
"So?"
"It sounds cool."
Stella couldn't help laughing.
"It really does."
The four girls linked arms as they walked toward the main academic building.
Students couldn't help looking at them.
Some smiled.
Some waved.
Others whispered among themselves.
"They're together again."
"The four best friends."
"I've never seen them separated."
"They're lucky."
Indeed...
They were.
Everyone in school knew them.
Not because they were rich.
Not because Selena belonged to the Valencia family.
But because they were genuinely kind.
Victoria could make even the saddest student laugh.
Elena often stood up for classmates being bullied.
Stella was always willing to tutor students struggling with their grades.
And Selena...
She somehow managed to make everyone around her feel included.
Teachers admired them.
Students respected them.
Even the school staff smiled whenever the girls passed by.
As they approached the classroom building...
Victoria suddenly stopped.
"Oh no."
Selena blinked.
"What happened?"
"I forgot my homework."
Elena sighed.
"You forgot again?"
Victoria scratched her head sheepishly.
"I remembered doing it."
"I just forgot to bring it."
Stella opened her bag.
"I made an extra copy."
Victoria's eyes widened.
"You are officially my favorite person."
"What about me?" Selena asked.
"I love you too."
"And me?" Elena added.
Victoria thought for a moment.
"You both come after Stella."
The three girls laughed.
"I knew it," Elena muttered.
Finally...
They reached their classroom.
The moment they stepped inside, the first bell rang.
"Perfect timing," Elena said.
The girls took their usual seats.
Selena sat beside Victoria.
Elena sat directly behind them.
Stella occupied the seat beside Elena.
The classroom buzzed with conversation until the teacher entered.
Everyone immediately stood.
"Good morning, Ma'am!"
"Good morning, class."
"You may sit."
The teacher placed a pile of books on her desk before smiling.
"I have an important announcement."
The classroom instantly fell silent.
"As you all know..."
"Our school's annual Inter-School Academic and Sports Festival is only two weeks away."
Excited whispers spread across the room.
"The winning school this year will receive the Governor's Excellence Trophy."
Louder cheers erupted.
The teacher raised a hand for silence.
"Each class will send representatives for different competitions."
"There will be basketball."
"Football."
"Swimming."
"Track events."
"Debate."
"Quiz."
"Science exhibitions."
"And several cultural performances."
The students immediately began discussing which events they wanted to join.
Victoria leaned toward Selena.
"We have to participate."
Selena nodded excitedly.
"Definitely."
Elena crossed her arms confidently.
"I'm joining basketball."
Victoria nodded.
"As expected."
"You're practically the captain already."
The teacher smiled.
"I had the same thought."
Everyone laughed.
Victoria turned toward Stella.
"What about you?"
Stella closed the novel she had been reading.
"I'll join the quiz competition."
Victoria clapped once.
"Our genius strikes again."
Selena smiled.
"You'll definitely win."
"I'll do my best."
Then everyone looked at Selena.
"What about you?" Victoria asked.
Selena thought for a moment.
"I think..."
"I'll participate in the relay race."
Victoria grinned.
"Looks like we'll all be busy."
The teacher spent the rest of the period explaining the competition rules.
When the lesson ended...
The four girls gathered once again.
Victoria stretched lazily.
"This is going to be fun."
"It will," Selena agreed.
Elena smiled.
"As long as we don't embarrass ourselves."
Victoria laughed.
"Speak for yourself."
Stella shook her head with a smile.
The four girls walked toward the school courtyard together, laughing over yet another one of Victoria's terrible jokes.
None of them knew...
That the carefree days they cherished so much...
Would not last forever.
But on that beautiful morning...
They were simply four best friends enjoying another ordinary day together.
And beneath the warm sunlight of Oceana Elite High...
Their unforgettable story had only just begun.
- Writer
