Kate was right.

For a half year, students avoided talking to me and preferred to leave the room I was in if they could. That included library, academy's garden and toilets. I felt lonely and disheartened, all because I was Ryan Andersen's cousin. The only one who always sticks to me was Kate and I cannot become more grateful to her.

Eventually, the students started to warm up to me and realized I wasn't like my cousin. They began to talk to me and did not leave the room I was into. Kate and I also ascended to the popular group on this year, her being the Nature Club's vice president and I, maintained hard my Straight A grades.

We have six months left to graduate and the majority of the students couldn't be happier for the end of the elites' hierarchy. Most of them hoped that no one would replace the elites and let everyone live in one happy institution.

"I can't believe him! He won't let me or you drive ourselves and expect us to wait for his practice to end. What does he think we are?" Kate ranted, throwing her arms in the air.

"It's okay, Kate. Let's find a cab. Maybe he forgot that he has a practice today, " I said. "Or maybe he wants to you to see him practice, " I nudged her side, trying to make her see the bright side.

"Please, " She huffed. "He got a handful of girls to cheer for him. My presence is not needed. If not, he won't make our relationship a secret, " She crossed her arms and walked away.

I sighed at her retreating figure. She found out her soulmate was Ryan. They were ecstatic when they found out they had the same mark six months ago and Ryan had made it clear that he's happy with her. They made a secluded wedding for family and close friends only, so no one in the academy knows of their relationship except the elites and us.

I didn't know why he didn't announce it and when I asked him that, he didn't give a direct answer. Maybe he thought it was unnecessary because it's obvious to everyone. Because why would Ryan Andersen let his cousin's best friend ride his car with them if there's nothing between them?

I shrugged at the thought, walking towards Kate.

Noah, Joe, and Hayden, on the other hand, had been searching for their soul mates like crazy ever since, but no one in the Academy bore the same marks as them. And AJ, well...he still didn't believe in soulmates.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Kate huffed, staring at her smartphone. "There's no driver available around the area? What joke is this?"

I put my hand on her shoulder. "Calm down. Why don't we see Ryan's practice? There are forty-five minutes left."

Kate stared at me for a moment and bit her lip. When she didn't say anything, I took her arm and dragged her towards the football field. "Come on,  it's not like we have an extra class or club meeting today."

By the time we reached the field, most of the front seats were occupied by the football team's fans. Unsurprisingly,  the majority of them were fangirls who squealed every time their crushes got the ball. I heard Kate sighed behind me and we took a seat at the third row, away from others.

"I want to go home, " whined Kate.

Ignoring her, I turned my attention at the field and saw the coach told the team to take a break. Ryan was wiping the sweat on his forehead when Hayden touched his back, appearing to whisper something. It made Ryan snapped his head to the audience and smiled when he found his desired sight.

I bit back my laugh and looked down at my books after seeing Kate's reddening cheeks. "Still want to go home?" I teased as Ryan and Hayden went to gather with their teammates.

Kate rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. But when the corners of her lips twitched upwards, I laughed.

We spent the rest of the practice reading the notes and memorizing the formulas our Mathematics teacher gave. It was tiring, but at least we could have more leisure time tonight. Kate would glance at the field every once in a while and looked away quickly when Ryan caught her eyes.

I shook my head, it was cute to see them like that.  It made me looked at my soulmate mark,  tracing the pattern longingly. They were so lucky to meet each other at an early stage. Some people had to wait until they were the thirties to meet their soulmates.

"Let's go," said Kate,  putting her notes into her bag.  "He must be waiting for us."

I nodded and copied her actions before walked down. Ryan was waiting for us at the parking lot, swinging his keys around his finger. He smiled when he saw us and opened the door.

"Hey,  ladies. You don't mind if AJ comes with us, do you? His driver couldn't make it," said Ryan and like it on cue, AJ came towards us with his bag.

"His driver? But he has his car, right?" Kate asked,  not realizing AJ was standing behind her.

He opened the passenger door, saying, "I wouldn't be here if I have a choice."

I saw Kate's lips moving for a comeback but before she could say anything, I pulled her into the car. Ryan started the ignition when he saw everyone were inside and glanced at the fuming Kate, chuckling.

"Sorry, Honey, you've to sit in the back today. I don't trust him with Rose."

A strange, low sound emitted from AJ's throat. Somehow I felt hurt by his action because he sounded quite disgusted at the idea. It's not like I want to sit beside him either.

Shaking my head, I looked over the window as Ryan drove pass the Academy's entrance.

Ryan and AJ started talking, lightening up the atmosphere in the car. I glanced at Kate, hoping to start a conversation but bit my lip from a laugh. Kate was pursing her lips, scrolling through social media. Her eyes, however, weren't on the screen, instead, they're burning at the back of Ryan's head. Not wanting to be a source to let out her wrath, I looked over the window.

It was not long before we reached AJ's mansion in the elite parts of the city. A butler opened the passenger door when Ryan stopped in front of the grand door.

"Alright, see you later, man," said AJ as he shook his hand with Ryan.

Kate walked out of the car and stopped the butler before he could close the door.  "Thank you," she said,  nodding at the middle-aged man.

The man nodded with a small smile on his face before he left to trail behind AJ.  I looked at the mansion in awed, it was the first time I saw it in real life. Ryan had shown the pictures to me a couple of times before. But no picture could prepare me how utterly beautiful the mansion was.

Modern and exquisite.

I had never seen a house so huge and beautiful. By the look at how big it was, my house back in the village might be the same size as his living room. I would never understand how some people at one side of the world could be so poor, to a point of being homeless while the other could bathe in their gold.

"So,  what's his problem?" Kate asked.

Ryan shrugged. "His father took his car key because he got a B in Literature. "

"What?!" Kate and I said simultaneously, looking at Ryan in disbelief. Ryan shrugged again at our exclamation and didn't want to comment anything.

"That's so sad," I said, leaning back at my seat.

"Well, that's the price to be an Elite," he sighed, swerving out of the property.