Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

The next day was the official start of classes at the University of Maple Grove. With no morning self–study sessions, the first class kicked off at 8:30 am. Flora rolled out of bed at 8:00, hurriedly got herself ready, grabbed breakfast at the cafeteria, and made it to the classroom just in time.

Eilies and Cynthia had already snagged seats by the window in the third row. Flora joined them, dropping two bottles of milk on their desk.

The first class was Advanced Mathematics, taught by a middle–aged man with a balding head. He walked in and immediately called out, “Flora.”

Flora raised her hand, “Here.”

The teacher gave her a quick look and then said, “Roll call is over.”

Flora was puzzled, “???”

The second class was Medical Cell Biology. A sharply dressed female teacher strode in, looking almost giddy.

“Roll call time. Is Flora here?”

Flora raised her hand again.

The teacher nodded, “Alright, roll call is over.”

Flora was left speechless, “…”

As the day went on, it seemed like every teacher started their class with roll call, but they only ever called Flora’s name. Flora’s frustration was evident, while Cynthia was struggling to contain her laughter.

After classes, Odelia was heading to the library. As soon as she stepped out of the academic building, she heard a raspy female voice call her name from behind.

Turning around, she saw a girl wearing a baseball cap and a face mask standing under a tree, staring coldly at her. Despite the disguise, Odelia recognized her immediately.

Jillian.

Odelia’s face turned ashen. Even under the blazing sun, she felt a chill run through her body. Instinctively, she tried to flee, but Jillian caught up and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Running away at the sight of me. Feeling guilty, are we?” Jillian whispered in her ear, her voice only audible to the two of them.

15:09 Content © NôvelDrama.Org.

Odelia was paralyzed with fear, her whole body stiffening, her feet glued to the ground. Jillian dragged her into a deserted hallway before removing her mask. Her face still bore marks of injury, faint bruises visible.

*Jillian, please… leave me alone,” Odelia pleaded, her voice filled with pain. “I was forced into it. I’m so sorry…”

“You think a simple sorry will fix everything after you betrayed me?” Jillian scoffed. “Your seem to be riding high, just writing an apology letter and not even getting a major demerit. No wonder you’re cozying up to Flora now.”

Odelia trembled violently with fear. She had hoped that Jillian’s expulsion would free her from this nightmare, but Jillian wasn’t letting go.

Was she destined to be nothing more than a pawn for others?

“Please… just leave me alone…” Odelia repeated, her voice numb with exhaustion.

“I’ll let you go if you do one thing for me,” Jillian said, a chill running down Odelia’s spine.

Jillian pulled a box of cookies from her bag. “Give these cookies to Flora, and then bring her to Room 207 in Building 3. Leave the rest to me.”

“No!” Odelia refused without a second thought.

She had seen the extent of Flora’s influence that day in Mr. Garcia’s office. Even Jillian’s father had to bow down to her. Picking a fight with Flora was a death wish.

“Jillian, you’ve already been burned by Flora once. Why provoke her again?” Odelia mustered her courage to persuade her. “You saw how your father acted towards Flora that day…”