Introduction to the rules

Embarrassment was a brief phrase. Lauren wished for the earth to open and swallow her entirely. Seconds turned into minutes as the entire class burst out laughing.

She could feel her face turning red with embarrassment and wished she could disappear. The teacher's stern look silenced the class, but the damage was already done.

"Keep silent!" Mr. Anthony shouted. His eyebrows narrowed at the students, and he looked attractive with his angry face.

Lauren stood immediately, ran up, and sat on her seat. She put her hair on her face and hung her head low. Turning to look at his wristwatch, Mr. Anthony started the class again, and then she looked at him, standing there like a professional teacher. When she felt someone was looking at her, it was from the right.

The blonde-haired girl smiled when she saw Lauren catch her staring at her. No offence, she thought.

"Are you okay? What's your name?" She seemed interested in her, and Lauren wanted to laugh.

No one had dared to be friends with her at her previous university, it's just that they did mind her presence near them.

Lauren was an open-minded girl who didn't think or feel bad about little things like that. But she answered her for now by glancing at the front.

"Yeah, I'm okay, and my name is Laurence Anna Warner." she smiled. "You can call me Lauren."

The girl smiled and continued to talk. "Sure, Lauren." She spell the word as if testing it. "My name is Alara. You should focus on your steps. Actually, the stairs were long-you might not have noticed?"

"Yeah, I didn't." Said Lauren looking back at the stairs from where she had stirred up here. Lauren gave her a smile and looked at the other students who were looking at the board attentively, which reminded Lauren to take her pen out to write important points for the future.

"Oh, ye-"

An object sprang out of nowhere and hit her hand, leaving her stunned and perplexed.

She raised her eyes to look at the professor and the thing—a black marker?

How in the world was his angle this perfect to hit her without hitting anyone else in the process? thought Lauren. It should have hit someone else on the way, but she did miss him, pointing students to move from his way to Lauren when she was busy talking with Alara.

He didn't seem to mind that she was a new student who had just entered his class a moment before and had already made a joke of herself. Well, he shouldn't treat her like that, and even though she wouldn't say anything, it did hurt.

"Sir. She is a new student who just entered a moment ago. You can't possibly do this to her." Alara complained.

The professor's eyes narrowed. "Oh, yes. I can," he said. "She just came a moment ago and started disturbing my class? But, yes. You are right. I can't do this to her, but I can do it to you." And then he smiled a big, evil smile and walked out of the room.

"Detention for you and you miss." He pointed towards Lauren and said, "I let it go because, as madam said, you are a new student, so I will be considerate towards you today. But there are some rules in my class, and I hope you will follow them in our next lectures."

"Rule no. 1: you are not allowed to be late in my class. Rule no. 2: No gossiping during the lecture. I severely hate this behaviour among students. Rule no 3, no arguments because it will brought you difficulties forward." He affirmed. "These rules are meant to create a conducive learning environment for everyone. Please feel free to ask me any questions if you need clarification on any of the rules."

"Sir–"

"Silence!" Just one word, and Alara knew better than to keep her pretty mouth shut.

Alara looked to her right and spotted her new friend, who was stunned. She returned Lauren's gaze and shook her head before taking her head in her hands. Lauren smiled and returned her attention to her book.

Mr. Anthony didn't seem to like her, or maybe it was just his personality. She couldn't help but wonder if she had done something to offend him, but she decided not to dwell on it and continued reading her book. Perhaps they just had different personalities, and that was okay.

"Anyhow, Are you ready for the examination? Any questions regarding the schedule, you can ask me."

" Actually, sir, I'm not quite ready yet. But mostly, I am ready. I will complete my revision within two weeks. There is one month more in my hand, so I think I can manage."

"How many subjects are you revising right now?"

"Physics and math. Other subjects are almost complete. You know I am a bit weak in math, so I am having some trouble with it. I need to do some hard calculations myself. I think I am working on it more than any other subject. I have some difficulties in coding too." She kept on telling him.

"I've told you many times: if you need any assistance in math, let me know." He deadpanned.

The girl became shy and spoke. "But you were so busy, sir, and that's why I thought not to disturb you."

"No, I am free now. You must make a list of the coding topics that you find hard to solve. And bring it by tomorrow; I will explain all these during the school break time."  He replied professionally.

"That will be amazing for me. I will be able to complete my revision faster. Thank you so much, sir."

"You are welcome, Penelope." and he walked out of the class.