Fifth Chapter: Rebecca Gayle (2)

Back at the opening …

Rebecca Gayle.

That's my name. Standing in front of the campus, I can't help but be amazed.

"Wow … it's so beautiful …" I said as I looked at the school campus. 

The building is a mix of colors, white and silver, shaped like a square bracket; with a huge crown of laurel in the middle, and below, the school campus' official name is written.

"First Apollo Municipal College …" I read it out loud, so happy to finally go to my dream school!

First Apollo Municipal College more commonly called First College.

My father and mother went to this school when they were young. So I've always wanted to enter the school where my father and mother first met each other!

I took out my phone and took a picture here and there. Especially the students, who are wearing their corresponding department's shirt color. I'm from the Health Department so I was wearing a green shirt.

Health Department: Green

Business Department: White

Computer Department: Orange

Education Department: Blue

Engineering and Architecture Department: Red

Tourism and Hospitality Department: Yellow

Those are the corresponding colors for each department. 

"Kuu …! It really looks so amazing!" I can't help but repeatedly marvel at the scene.

But my mood dampened a little bit when I looked down.

"Maybe I shouldn't have worn white shoes … And it was my favorite, too …" I regretfully uttered as I looked at my mud-stained shoes.

***

It's so crowded … 

Mou … please stop pushing! Someone might fall at this rate.

I didn't notice that I was almost at the edge of the stairs. The person in front of me was getting pushed back resulting in me backing at the same time.

With one last push, I lost my footing!

All of a sudden, I was in the air falling to the ground!

Eh? Though I slightly expected this, I didn't think it would be me!

I wanted to scream but was unable to. I just closed my eyes and accepted my fate. 

To think my first day at my dream school would be to have a few broken bones …

However … 

… Hm? Why is it so long for me to hit the ground? 

Eh? Why does it feel soft and hard? Was it the mud? No, mud doesn't smell this good! 

I opened my eyes and looked at the soft-hard thing underneath me.

Oh no! I crushed someone!

I immediately stood up and tried to help hi—her up! Although she kinda looks masculine that's definitely a girl! I felt it … Not in a perverted way! Definitely!

I repeatedly apologized and then she finally stood up.

I think she said something but I wasn't able to pay attention to it. Since I want to ask if she was okay.

When she replied …

My first thought is … deep.

Now, I'm confused! Is she a girl or a boy? Why is her voice so deep and cool and even her face looks so cool! Even covered in mud, she looks so cool! 

I was inwardly in turmoil but outside I was talking to her and asking each other's state.

Eh? Why is she walking away? Wait, I haven't apologized yet! And I don't even know your name!

I want to get to know her more. What should I do? 

Aha! I have an idea. I can offer to treat her as sorry for the trouble. And possibly get to know her more! I'm a genius!

"Thank you for the offer but it's fine. You don't have to do that for me." 

What? 

I was panicking inside! No, I have to do this! I asked again to show her I didn't mind.

"..."

Thankfully, she relented after a staring contest. I was a little bit nervous, though. What if she thinks I'm annoying? 

Regardless, I was able to set a da—n-no, I mean this is just compensation! Yes, nothing more, nothing less … Still, unconsciously, I felt more light in my feet and hummed as I went my way …

***

After the opening.

Outside the gate.

"Ahhh! I'm an idiot! How would I treat her if we didn't even exchange socials!" I quietly screamed as I held my head while squirming. 

The people around are looking at me, maybe questioning my sanity but I can't bother to pay attention to that.

I lightly hit my head repeatedly.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stuuupid!"

The only choice I have is to wait and try to find her amongst the crowd …

What if she went home already because she couldn't find me? 

Ahhhhh! I don't even want to think about it!

***

In the end, I didn't even manage to catch a glimpse of her shadow …

"I wonder if I will see her again? ..." I wistfully muttered.

I slapped my cheeks with my hands, "No! I have hope! She was wearing a green hoodie, so for sure she's also in my department!"

***

"I'm sorry." The girl who bumped into me apologized. 

I froze in my tracks as I heard that voice.

Maybe it's fate? ... I didn't think I would meet her again so soon … 

I knew it was her without even seeing her because it was that voice.

I can't forget it even if I want to.

It was a voice that seemed to echo in my ears. Every time I hear it, I feel like my body vibrates along with her voice …

I never knew I would be someone who's attracted to a person's voice so much …

Am I a pervert?! 

I shook my head in my mind, get a hold of yourself, Becca!

I looked at her and my head felt so hot. Those clothes … it looks so cool on her and she's so tall! My neck feels a little stiff since I have to look up to look at her face.

I'm a girl but I can't help but find her attractive … 

***

Listening to her introduce herself, I wanted to laugh but I didn't. 

She was just looking down the whole time and despite wearing such an intimidating outfit (which I find to be very cool on her), I can't help but find her cute. 

Looking around to see my classmates' reactions, I noticed that some of them had a glow in their eyes when Kris stood up and spoke.

Heh … she will be popular for sure …

As I thought of that, I kind of felt off …? Subconsciously, hating the idea of people liking Kris.

That's weird. Well, I'm quite possessive with my friends … So I guess that's that?

Putting that aside, I remembered when I chatted with her earlier, although she mostly just grunted or shook her head, I could see that she wasn't a cold person. Maybe … a little shy? That's what my gut feeling is telling me. 

I know that she isn't what she seems outside. I just know. After all, I'm confident in my ability to read people.

It was something I developed after what happened in the past … 

I felt down when I remembered it but forced myself to push it at the back of my mind.

More importantly …

Her name really suits her! Kris or maybe Alex? What do I call her? I kind of want to call her by what her close friends call her …

It was now my turn to introduce myself. 

Looking to the side, I can see Kris looking at me. I don't know why but I'm so nervous when I normally find this thing easy. 

Maybe because this is college now? I don't know. Anyway, I'll just do the usual!

***

Seeing all these people one by one talking about themselves is so amazing ... Some are confident, some are not, while some are just stuck in the middle but it was fun looking at different people in the same room …

I hope I will have a better experience in college ... No, I will make sure to do better this time! I promised myself as I clenched my fist.

I noticed that the majority of the class are girls with the number of boys countable by my two hands. Well, it's not uncommon for the nursing course to be female-oriented. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I saw Kris in my periphery. I noticed Kris seemed to be shivering from the cold, and even rubbing and blowing on her hands. 

Is it cold? 

I looked at the AC and saw that it was at max. Though I feel like it's bearable, I think Kris is the type to get cold easily.

I immediately offered my cardigan to her but she refused. I can't help but check up on her since she looks really, really cold.

I'll lower the AC later if I find the chance.

Though perhaps … I can hold her hand? Maybe that will warm her up even just a little bit … 

I shook my head at that thought. I can't do that, we're not close enough to do that … 

Furthermore, what if she thinks I'm weird or something if I suddenly hold her hands all of a sudden. Moreover, Kris looks like someone who really likes her personal space.

***

"Class dismissed." Professor Kuiper announced. 

I immediately stood up and went to lower the thermostat of the AC. I lowered it from ten to eight. 

Maybe I should lower it more? Yeah, I probably should. 

I further lower it down to five, just in case, eight is still too cold for Kris.

I went back to my seat and asked Kris if it was still cold. She looked surprised and frowned.

Looking at her frowning, I just want to use my hand to straighten it out. 

Why is she so cute?

"Yeah, thank you."

Observing her face, she still can't maintain eye contact and is looking at the side but I can feel that she really appreciates what I did to her.

I smiled widely at her reaction and said welcome to her.

She's too shy, keuk, so cute!

What I didn't expect is … 

She would smile back at me! Even if it's not a full smile, I'm still shocked and can't help but blush looking at her smile.

That's the first time she smiled!

Different from her normal face, her smiling face looks so cute! Her whole vibe suddenly shifted 180 degrees! 

I went back to my seat and put my face on the table with my arms as pillows.

So she is the type to look intimidating when serious and cute when smiling …

It took me a while to regain my cool …