Chapter 18 Shermaine didn't want to go out . And if she had to , she definitely didn't want to go with Ruth . But if she said no , Ruth would probably just hang around and refuse to leave . So , Shermaine had to head upstairs to change . She wasn't much of a dress person . The maple leaves outside were already turning yellow , and the autumn wind carried a chill . She swapped into a black hoodie that went with anything , a pair of vintage jeans , and slipped on some canvas srieakers before heading back down . She didn't wear any makeup , just put on a layer of lip balm . But her features were so naturally striking that even without anything on , people couldn't help but be stunned by her beauty at first glance . Her skin was clear and flawless , her hair pulled up into a bun . There was a cool elegance to her , with a hint of effortless charm . The moment Ruth saw her , though , her brows furrowed . It was clear she didn't like how casually Shermaine was dressed , with none of the elegance expected from a well - bred young lady . Ruth started nitpicking . " Shermaine , your father just gave you a ton of pocket money yesterday . You should go buy a few decent outfits sometime . If you walk out dressed like this , people are gonna think we're neglecting you . I mean , seriously - what is this thrift - store look? " She thought Shermaine's good looks were completely wasted on such sloppy fashion . " Comfort's all that matters , " Shermaine said . " You've got no taste at all , " Ruth replied , her tone full of disdain . Shermaine stayed calm . " Mom , are we going or not ? " Ruth was about to say something else , but the second she looked up and met Shermaine's clear , steady gaze , a strange chill crept down her spine . Still , Ruth had to admit , even if Shermaine was wearing nothing but cheap clothes , the way she carried herself made it look like high fashion . Ruth shut her mouth , got up , and walked out the door . A black Rolls - Royce was parked out front . After getting in , Shermaine pulled down her hat and closed her eyes to rest . About forty minutes later , Ruth nudged her awake . Shermaine opened her eyes , turned her head , and glanced out the window . They had arrived at Basterel University - the most prestigious institution in the entire city of Basterel . Since they were riding in a luxury car , they drew a lot of attention once they drove onto campus . The car stopped in front of the girls ' dormitory . Ruth stepped out first , instantly catching the attention of the people around . Shermaine followed closely behind . Ruth walked ahead with an air of familiarity , and it was clearly not her first time here . " This is Basterel University . It's the top university in the city - and in the whole country , really . Wendy goes here . Back then , she scored almost a perfect SAT . " She missed full marks by just three points . She's majoring in Comparative Literature . She's one of the most popular girls on campus , all while keeping top grades . Don't you think she's amazing ? Such a shame she's had such bad luck . " Shermaine wondered , ' Bad luck ? Wendelyn's only bad luck is not becoming Joshua's fiancée . She's an orphan , but she got taken in by the Jean family and lives in comfort . What's so unlucky about that ? ' 1/3 Chapter 18 She smiled faintly and said nothing Ruth's voice brimmed with pride for Wendelyn . " Sheary , since you didn't take the SAT , you missed the chance to go to college , I brought you here today so you could walk around and get a leel for the atmosphere and the academic vibe . * Shermaine thought , " I radiate academic vibe . I don't need to feel it ' Maybe it was the way her expression stayed so cold , but in Ruth's eyes , Shermaine just looked especially resistant to being there - probably because het pride had taken a hit . With that thought , Ruth's lips curled ever so slightly . Ruth continued , " And then there's Joshua - the heir to the York family . He also went to Basterel University . He's even more impressive . " He got straight into Basterel University at sixteen , then Harrod University at eighteen . By twenty , he had dual master's degrees . Then he enlisted . He didn't return to take over the York family's business until he was twenty - five . " Joshua was indeed impressive . And what Ruth said barely scratched the surface . From the very first moment Shermaine met him , she had sensed it - that sharp , familiar scent of someone cut from the same cloth . But Ruth's whole speech was transparent . She clearly wanted Shermaine to feel inferior , to realize how incapable she was by comparison . The whole point was to put her in her place . Too bad Ruth's plan was completely off the mark . Since Ruth was so set on thinking that way , Shermaine came up with an idea . A quick glint of sly amusement flickered in her eyes before she let out a light , gleeful whistle . " My fiancé's that amazing ? That's freaking awesome . " Ruth was instantly speechless , feeling utterly frustrated . When they reached the building of the girls ' dormitory , Wendelyn appeared , looking all gentle and graceful . She wore a blue vintage - style dress , her figure slender , her makeup polished , with a book tucked in her arms . Students passing by looked at her with admiration and envy . Right then , a clean - cut guy stepped forward , holding a massive bouquet of roses . He confessed , " Wendelyn , I love you . Please be my girlfriend . I promise I'll treat you well ." Wendelyn turned him down gently . " I'm sorry , but I can't say yes . I'm already in love with someone else . " The guy looked utterly disappointed . After he walked away , Wendelyn came over to Shermaine and Ruth , all sweet and innocent . " Mom , Shermaine . " Shermaine couldn't even be bothered to respond . Ruth , on the other hand , lit up . " Wendy , you're so popular . Are you heading to class ? " " Yeah . " Wendelyn nodded . " What class do you have this afternoon ? " Ruth asked . " I've been into math lately , " Wendelyn replied . " Thought I'd sit in on a calculus lecture . " " It's okay to have hobbies , but make sure you get enough rest too , alright ? Don't wear yourself out . You already know so much . " " Mom , I'm not good enough yet . I want to be better . " No wonder Ruth was so pleased with Wendelyn , Since childhood , Wendelyn had been the model student - academically brilliant , sharp - witted , gracefully beautiful , the kind of girl who outshone Shermaine in other people's eyes . Shermaine was utterly speechless , thinking that the whole thing was just too much to watch . Right then , Wendelyn switched the topic . " Shermaine , don't you think Basterel University is beautiful ? " 2/3 Chapter 18 " It is beautiful , " Shermaine said . Wendelyn was always good at keeping up appearances in front of others . Yesterday , things had nearly turned into a full - blown catfight between them . But today , she was standing there in front of Shermaine like nothing happened , all smiles and small talk . She remarked , " Mom doesn't know the campus that well . After my class , I can give you a tour " Shermaine's tone was lazy . " Sure . " Wendelyn beamed and suggested , " Why don't you come to class with me ? " A sly smile flickered in Shermaine's eyes . " I ' not even a student here . You think I can just tag along ? " " You totally can , " Wendelyn said . Shermaine hesitated . " I'll pass . " Calculus was way too basic for her . If she sat through that , she'd probably end up falling asleep . But Ruth , clearly worried she might back out , coaxed her , " Sheary , just sit in and get a feel for what a real college class is like . We can walk around the campus afterward . " " All right then , " Shermaine said . Ruth and Wendelyn exchanged a smile , perfectly in sync . They took a campus shuttle to the Department of Mathematics . By the time they got to the lecture hall , most of the seats were already taken . Mathematics wasn't exactly the most popular major - usually not a go - to for the average student . Still , this was the top university in Wallington . Academic overachievers were everywhere , so a crowded lecture wasn't that surprising . Though honestly , most of the people in the room seemed more like they were just tagging along for fun . Sure enough , the moment Wendelyn walked in , a student got up right away and offered her a seat , saying , " Wendelyn , come sit here . " " Thank you , " Wendelyn smiled , pulling Ruth along to take the best seats in the middle . Shermaine ended up sitting behind them . Just then , someone muttered , " Holy carp . I heard the professor has taken the day off , so today's class is being covered by Lorenzo Hussain . Yep , we're screwed . Looks like we'll all be retaking this course . " AD Comment