Chapter Two - Classmates

Sabrina's POV

"You're late for our class, Miss," he said with authority in his voice.

What? Is this some kind of a joke??

"You - -???" I want to run but it seems that my feet are glued to the floor. I can't even look at him straight. I felt ashamed, shocked, and irritated all at once. How can I forget this guy? who turned out to be my Professor now? What a day. So the sayings were really true 'when it rains, it pours" because misfortune really poured out.

"I---m S-o-orry Sir" I scolded myself for stuttering. My classmates laughed when they heard me said that. If only I knew that this would happen, I wouldn't mind being absent on my first day of school.

"Okay, you may take your seat."

I didn't even bother looking at anyone and just sit in the vacant seat that I found. What If I drop this subject? Maybe I could ask my parents and do something about this. I don't think he will be good to me after what I said and acted this morning. I'm sure he will make my life miserable.

I still can't believe that he's my professor. I mean isn't he too young? Anyway, looks can be deceiving, just like how he managed to fool and made fun of me.

While I'm busy thinking of what to do, someone caught my attention. An old man wearing an eyeglass, maybe in his early sixties entered our room. Is he a student here? I admired people who still pursue their studies because indeed age doesn't matter when it comes to learning. There is never too young or too old for a dream to come true. It will come at the right time, we all have our different timelines.

I expected the man to sit to any vacant seat but he proceeded to the Professor's table.

"I'm sorry I'm late guys, we had an emergency faculty meeting. Anyway, welcome to our class."

He introduced himself as our Professor and explained what to expect for the whole semester. I irritably looked for a particular person in the room and it made me more annoyed when I saw him sitting comfortably in the front row, sitting beside our other classmates.

I knew it! He was a student just like me! The nerve of that guy tricked me and made me believe that he was our professor. That may be the reason why our classmates laughed at me.

What did I do to experience a day like this?

"Now, it's your turn to introduce yourselves, I want you to look for a partner. That person will be the one introducing you and you to them. You will be doing it here in front by twos. I'll give you 10 minutes to become acquainted with your partner. Are we clear?" our Professor said after he introduced himself and discussed what to expect in our subject.

"Yes Sir," we said in unison.

"Okay. You may start now" said our Professor as he checked his watch maybe just to set the 10 minutes given to us.

Almost all of my classmates found their partners immediately and started discussing. It seems that almost all of them know one another. I tried to look for any classmates who also haven't found any partner yet but my eyes caught the guy that made of fun me. He's staring directly at me. That look! It's like a devil smile.

Oh yes! Maybe I should call him "Smiling Devil", it suits him. I rolled my eyes at him which made him laughed and his seatmate gave him a questioning look as to why he was smiling.

Anyway, he looked at me and smiled, showing his signature smile again, how I hate that smile, it reminded me of what happened this morning. I saw him walking to where I sit. What is he planning this time? Ask me to be his partner? And then what? Make fun of me?

So I stood up and look for a partner.

"I have a partner already," I said when Smiling Devil is already near me. I don't have a choice but to point the guy who sits in front of me who is just busy reading his book. I didn't see any reaction from the guy.

I saw how he's trying to control himself not to laugh, he looks so amused like what I said is something funny.

"Miss, what made you say that I'm asking you to be my partner? Did I even ask? Well, if you insist, I'm not that picky. It's totally fine with me, you know." he said and winked at me. I even heard my classmates laugh and murmur something.

"Just so you know, being your partner is the last thing I'd ever want. You Smiling Devil" and I just whisper the last words but still he heard it.

"Smiling Devil? Wow, I like it. Thanks." he smiled like he was pleased being called like that. I tried to compose myself. Sabrina! You don't have to stoop to his level.

I rolled my eyes at Smiling Devil before I approach my partner or I just assumed that he's my partner since I didn't hear any response from him. He's busy reading a book.

"Hi again. It looks like you don't have a partner yet. Hmm, can I be your partner?" I asked him in a friendly approach but he only gave me a puzzled look.

I waited for him to speak but nothing. He's back to reading again. What book is that that he's so engrossed and seems like he has his world?

"Five minutes left" I heard my professor said. Just like that, I wasted my time talking to Smiling Devil.

"I'll take that as a yes," I said and smile at my partner.

"We only have five minutes left so I'll introduce myself first. Hmm, I'm Sabrina Castillo. You can call me Sab for short. 18 years old, freshman, taking up Architecture. I love food, especially sweets" I tried to sound as enthusiastic as possible but still he ignored me.

"Hey, it's your turn. We only have few minutes left!" I was feeling hopeless that my partner would not cooperate when he started talking. He's whispering and he's just talking to the book because he didn't even bother lifting his eyes at me.

"Wait! Yuseff Torres what?? Can you repeat it? I wasn't able to take note of it." I asked him but it feels that he doesn't have plans to talk again. It's like the words coming from his mouth are worth a diamond.

"You're 18 too? and Dentistry student? Did I heard it right?" I confirmed the details but still no words from him.

What's wrong with people nowadays? Why are they not talking to me?

"Time's up!. Who wants to volunteer?" I looked at our Professor. There's no way that I would volunteer especially that---"

"Wait" I called Yuseff "Where are you going?" I asked him when he stood up and volunteered. What?? What's wrong with him? I don't have a choice but to go in front of the class.

"Good afternoon everyone-" I said as my introduction but Yuseff cut me off by introducing me immediately.

"Her name is Sabrina. A freshman. Architecture student." and then left me there alone in front of everyone. Is that all he can say about me? He has the guts to volunteer and even left me here alone.

I awkwardly smiled at everyone before proceeding.

"Hi. My partner is Yuseff Torres. 18 years old. Same as mine."

"Really? Still 18? You look ---" Smiling Devil teased me.

"Wait for your turn, please." I cut him off before he humiliates me again. I gave him my sweet smile even if I really want to shout at him.

"He's a dentistry student." I continued. "He is a silent type of person who loves books. As you can see now, *I pointed him at the back* he loves to read whatever book that is. That's all. Thank you." and then I went back to my seat.

I can't help but felt annoyed at Yuseff too. He left me there in front of the class. I'm beginning to think that Yuseff and Smiling Devil have the same mission, which is to annoy and humiliate me.

I tried to focus and listen to my classmate's introduction.

Speaking of the devil, he and his partner are the ones standing in front now "He's Alfred Salazar. Everybody calls him Red. Architecture student. Certified member of Student Council. He's the youngest governor ever in our college. He rocks!" his partner introduced and everyone cheered and shouting the name of Smiling Devil.

So, is he some kind of popular here at our school?

Come to think of that, there are many courses offered here and that Smiling Devil has the same course as mine. And he's our College Governor? How did the students trust someone like him?

***

I tried myself not to yawn but I can't help it. It's been really a long day. I'm looking forward to getting home and rest. When our Professor dismissed us, I immediately grab my things and left the classroom in a hurry.

I was walking in the hallway when suddenly someone appeared in front of me.

."Sabrina, can I talk to you for a while??" he said with amusement in his eyes. That look and smile can't be trusted.

"NO." I boldly said and continued walking.

"Sabrina!" he shouted. I closed my eyes for a while and took a deep breath. I turned to him and saw him smiling like he got his favorite candy. I glared at him.

"I just want to ask if you still want a ride going home!" he just said casually without thinking that there are still many students in the hallway. He's referring to what happened this morning. Gosh! He just loves teasing me, doesn't he?

"In your dreams! Jerk!" I snapped at him. He smiled and clearly enjoying teasing me.

"I'll just see you in my dreams then," he uttered and winked at me.

Aarrgh! He is so annoying! I ignored his last words and went away from him and the questioning eyes of other students.