Third Chapter: First Encounter (3)

Monday morning.

The morning sun has risen up, bringing forth a ray of warm light through the window across my room. 

Ring! Ring!

A familiar alarm song from my favorite anime burst out loudly from my phone. It echoed continuously throughout the room.

"Wa!" 

I woke up with a start as I clumsily reached out to my bedside table to shut that thing off!

I touched my head as I groggily sat up.

"..."

I stared blankly at the wall for a while then lied down again and covered myself with a blanket. 

"Just five more … minutes …" I mumbled and entered the dreamland once more.

***

"Alex! Eat before you go!" Mama shouted while I went back and forth around the house.

"I don't have time for that, Ma!" I shouted back while arranging my things and fixing myself up.

Ack! I should've not gone back to sleep! I regretfully thought as I double-checked my things and looked at the mirror one last time before going out.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw a slightly broad-shouldered lady with her hair up in a bun with strands of messy bangs to shape her face. Perhaps, it was more suitable to call it a man-bun with a face like that.

With a sharp jaw and a slightly masculine face, I would probably be mistaken as a man at first glance. Fortunately (or not), I have this annoyingly heavy baggage on my chest indicating that I was actually a woman. 

Looking at my outfit, I was thinking that maybe it was an overkill … 

I was wearing a black turtleneck with a black suit blazer as outerwear, complemented by black tight pants and black dress shoes. 

"What am I? An edgy main character in some shonen manga?" I mocked myself while observing my look up and down in the mirror. 

Inwardly, I low-key kind of like my look regardless of how try-hard it may seem.

I mean, I love black so I may be a little bit biased in my opinion. But who wouldn't want to wear their favorite color, right?

"You look like some kind of leader of a crime syndicate, Blacky." A baritone voice said, full of playfulness in their tone.

I turned towards the voice direction and saw a tall pale man, probably around 175 centimeters, with an unkempt appearance, probably because he had just woken up. 

His hair looking like a bird's nest and you can even see a slight stubble on his chin making him look all the more untidy.

Don't be surprised about a random man suddenly appearing … That's just my stupid older brother.

I scoffed at him and shouted in my mind:

As if you would know how to appreciate the beauty of black formal clothes! 

I ignored him and continued to fix some creases and fold on my clothes.

"You look like as if someone died … Your phone, bag, wallet, heck, even your socks are black."

He pulled a black hat off the coat rack and put it on my head.

"You might as well wear that to be a real Blacky, no? Hahaha!" Big Bro childishly said then laughed out loud.

"Did I ask?" I rebutted, annoyed with his laugh and constant teasing. 

I took off the hat a little harshly and pushed it to his chest with a glare.

"I don't have time for this." 

I picked up my bag and went to where my grandma was. 

I slightly peek from the door of the kitchen.

"Ma, I'm going." 

"What about your breakfast?"

"I'm gonna be late."

"Okay then ... Take care and go home straight after school." 

"Got it! Love you!"

That's what I was planning to do, anyway.

I quickly walked to the door and just before I could take a step out, my big bro called out …

"Take care, Sis~" He waved his hand with a bright smile while his other hand scratched his butt.

I stopped for a moment. For some reason, I feel something ominous in that smile.

"Y-yeah." I replied while stuttering then continued on my way.

***

Honk! Honk!

Vroom!

A cacophony of car honking and engine sounds passing the road one after another presented a quite lively scene as I cycled through it swiftly. 

Currently, I'm riding my bicycle to school. The feeling of the wind hitting my face was so pleasant, I almost wanted to close my eyes.

But, obviously, I won't do that, that's idiotic and suicidal. I still love my life, thank you.

Since the school is not that far from my home, I typically rode my bike to go. 

Unfortunately, I don't have the leisure to casually stroll and enjoy the wind as I am about to be late on my real first day of school!

***

First College.

I stood in front of the gate with my hands on my knees. Heaving up and down as I tried to catch my breath. My bike, parked at the parking rack.

"Haa … Haa …" I was out of breath from all this exercise. 

However, I filled my lungs and walked inside the school clutching my backpack as I calmed my nerves.

Near the main entrance, a guard was inspecting the students' bags as they entered the building.

Seeing that, I put my bag in front and opened it early to make the process faster.

When the guard was checking my bag, I was contemplating whether I should greet them or not.

My lacking social skills tells me to not do it but the desire to be polite is urging me to do so.

You know what? Screw it.

I took one quick breath and quickly muttered a greeting.

"Good morning."

"Good morning!" The guard reciprocated with more energy.

I nodded, then walked a few long strides … When I saw I was quite far away from people I proceeded to run up the stairs!

First … Second ... Sixth!

Finally! I reached the sixth floor as I, again, tried to catch my breath … 

I looked around and took out my phone to check which room I was in.

Tapping my phone, I can see the group chat messaging and asking where our room is.

I scrolled down for a while and then finally saw it.

Room 604.

Now with a goal, I continued walking along the hallway. 

Tap. Tap.

The heel of my shoes tip-tapping is the only sound I can hear as almost no people can be seen passing by.

A completely different situation from before where I almost suffocated to death from the sheer amount of people. 

Currently, the hallway is almost empty with a few people here and there, which I find so calming and relaxing.

604 … 604 …

Where the hell is it?

I kept on looking and counting the room as I passed by.

Trying to find it, I kept my eyes up looking out for room 604.

"603 … 604!"

And there I found it! On the other end of the hallway near the stairs. Excited. I walked a little bit faster, my eyes focusing on the room number.

And that's when it happened.

With my mind occupied … I didn't notice that someone was in front of me as I continued walking.

Bang!

I bumped into someone causing them to fall on the ground!

"Kyah!" A girlish scream sounded out.

This feels so strangely familiar … 

Different from last week, now that I am in a normal condition, I'm still standing firm and tall.

Good thing my cold has gone away after only three days … or I'd probably be on the floor with her right now.

And by the way, why does this keep happening on my first days?!

"I'm sorry." I immediately apologize and offer a hand to help her up.

When I put my hand out, the girl froze and slowly raised her head …

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

We both confusingly exclaimed.

That's right. This girl … 

"You again?" I uttered as we both froze from seeing a familiar face. 

Yes, you're correct. She was the flying girl back at the opening!

And at the same time as I recognized her, something clicked inside my head.

Gasp! I remember now. The thing I forgot about is her!

Now that I've realized that, I wanted to clutch my head and scream my lungs out!

My food! Free food! 

Unfortunately, it's too late for regrets … 

The girl slowly got over her initial shock and then smiled widely showing her adorable dimples. 

"Ah! What a coincidence!" She said with happiness evident in her tone.

"Are you also going to room 604?" She continued while tilting her head slightly. 

"Yes." I replied a little late as I feel a little bit flustered right now.

As a person who is proudly an introvert, her vibes and energy already made me guess what kind of personality she has. Even before, when she invited a stranger (me) for a meal proved how terrifying her social skills were.

If I were to describe her, she would be all of the following:

Cheerful, friendly, and extroverted.

And that just screams danger to me.

It's the kind I have trouble with the most.

Furthermore, gazing at her appearance … 

I instantly thought, this girl probably has a lot of men chasing after her.

A slightly wavy pink hair ending just below her shoulders with curtain bangs to complement her face. A small face; smooth and unblemished that you would think it's a filter.

However, the thing that catches my attention the most is … her eyes. 

Big doe eyes and long curled lashes, I noticed that it's probably natural making me slightly jealous of her good genes.

Ma, why you do me like that? 

She is significantly more well-put than last week.

Duh, of course, she is, try falling on mud, Alex—oh, yeah. I did.

She was wearing a white collared shirt tucked in her pants with a pale pink cardigan to add some color. As for her bottom, she was wearing light blue skinny jeans rolled to her ankles and clean white sneakers.

Simple but good. I thought after assessing her outfit.

A complete opposite of my style and vibe. 

Anyway, let's put all other matters aside and get out of this situation quickly.

"You?" I asked back since I couldn't just walk away and enter the room without looking too rude.

"Yes!" She answered and then continued, "I'm so glad we got to be classmates!" 

You say it as if we have known each other for a long time …

"..." I just nodded in response, not wanting to dampen her spirits by saying my true thoughts (not like I can though).

Despite my seemingly cold response, it seems she still saw it in a positive light looking at her bright face. 

"Ah!" As if realizing something, she suddenly exclaimed.

"We should probably enter now! It's almost time!" She said with urgency.

That's when I realized she was right, I didn't tire myself out just to be marked as late.

She grabbed my arms and pulled me inside the room.

So naturally you would think I'm her long-time friend. But I didn't dwell on it since I'm gonna enter the room, anyway.

Inside the room, it is the complete opposite of the peaceful and quiet hallway.

Murmurs, clattering chairs, and people loudly talking were what welcomed me inside.

Gazing back again to my companion, I can see her looking around, probably finding an empty seat as it is almost fully occupied.

"There!" She pointed at the back of the room and pulled me towards it …

***

Now seated, I can't help but think maybe I should've just left this girl alone …

"I'm Rebecca! We haven't introduced each other, have we?"

She keeps on talking and talking …

"You know, I kept on trying to find you but I can't see you anywhere."

Great.

"But to think that we would be classmates. Fate really works wonders …"

I'll put fate's name on my death note later.

"What's your social, I'll add you!"

I don't have one, I deleted it yesterday.

"Hmmm, when will the professor arrive?"

Don't know, don't car—actually, that's also what I'm thinking. I rushed to get here and yet the professor is taking their time leisurely, huh …

The door suddenly opens as a young man enters the room. The noise immediately settled down.

"Good morning, students!"

Speak of the devil …

""Good morning, sir!"" We collectively greeted back.

At least, for now, this girl, or rather Rebecca, finally stopped talking.

The young professor picked up a chalk and then wrote his name on the board. 

Professor Osheen Kuiper.

"We already met online but I'll introduce myself again. I'm Osheen Kuiper and I will be teaching philosophy …"

Professor Kuiper told a lot about himself such as him being an alumni, repeated some given guidelines, and how he just wants us to have fun in his subject and relax. 

Favorite professor unlocked.

"With all the boring stuff done, let's proceed to the fun part!"

The room stirred awake and slowly started to get noisy again. Whispers and the like continue to increase as we all kind of guess what's the fun part. Yes, it is—

"Introduce yourself!" The professor announced with a satisfied expression looking at our mixed reactions.

The horror …

"Oh, yay!" Rebecca excitedly reacted. 

Not yay, I'm getting depressed here, you know …