Chapter 3: Stephen Brown

Eric's POV

As we neared the sprawling campus, a familiar knot of anxiety coiled in my chest. It wasn't an overwhelming sensation, but enough to make my hands fidget and seek solace in their rhythmic massaging. I caught Gary stealing a glance at me when the traffic lights held us captive in their vibrant red glow.

"Sir Eric, care for some Green Tea?" Gary's voice broke through my thoughts, accompanied by the appearance of a thermos he retrieved from the side of his door. He extended it towards me, a gesture of thoughtful preparation that caught me by surprise.

"Thanks, I suppose..." I replied, intrigued by his unexpected foresight. It was the first time he had offered me such a calming concoction, and although I wasn't naturally skeptical, the novelty struck me.

As I unscrewed the thermos, the scent of the tea wafted toward me, already casting a soothing spell over my senses. Lavender and lemon infused the brew, their aromatic essence mingling with the steam rising from the cap.

"You're a lifesaver, Gary," I remarked gratefully, taking a sip and relishing the delicate flavors that swirled on my tongue.

"If you wish, sir, you could carry it with you just in case it's needed again," Gary suggested, his eyes fixed on the road as the light changed to green.

"Are you sure? I mean, it is your thermos, after all," I hesitated, mindful of the borrowed favor.

"No worries, sir. It may be my thermos, but I'm certain it will benefit you greatly," he reassured me, his confidence unwavering.

"You truly are the best," I declared, placing the thermos carefully in my bag, its presence offering a comforting reassurance as we pulled up near the entrance.

Before stepping out of the vehicle, I made a point to inform Gary of the time my last class would conclude. It was my way of ensuring that he wouldn't have to wait unnecessarily when he came to pick me up later. Besides, I had no intentions of venturing anywhere after my final class, which would end promptly at 6 p.m.

As I stepped onto the pavement, Max's voice pierced through the background noise, calling my name. She ran towards me, her energy contagious, and enveloped me in a tight hug. Dressed in her usual attire of leggings and a shirt, her hair was neatly gathered in a perky ponytail.

"Eric, I missed you so much," she exclaimed, her embrace brimming with genuine affection.

"I missed you too," I replied, reciprocating the hug, the worries of the approaching day momentarily forgotten.

Turning her attention to Gary, Max greeted him warmly. "Gary, I missed you too. How have you been?" she inquired, genuine concern lacing her words.

"All is well, Miss Max," Gary responded respectfully. "And yourself?"

"Everything is great," she beamed, her joy infectious. "Oh, before you go, I have something for you." She extended a paper bag towards him, its origins hinting at its journey from Japan.

"You didn't have to get me a gift during your trip to Japan," Gary protested gently, accepting the bag with curiosity.

"It's the least I could do after you helped us find a college that suits us. And besides, I remember how much you loved matcha," Max explained, her eyes gleaming with appreciation.

"Thank you, Miss Max," Gary expressed his gratitude, stealing a glance inside the bag. "Well then, I should be on my way now. Take care, as always, Sir Eric. And in case of any emergency, give me a call, and I'll be there in a heartbeat."

"Thanks, Gary. Take care as well," I replied, a genuine fondness in my voice as we bid him farewell.

Max and I strolled through the grand entrance of the university, watching Gary's car disappear into the distance. Observing my surroundings, I couldn't help but notice that most students were dressed in their civilian attire rather than uniforms. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who hadn't received their official uniforms yet.

Nevertheless, I felt a surge of gratitude towards the university for allowing us to wear smart casual and formal clothing for the entire semester. It was a small liberty, but one that added a touch of familiarity and comfort to this new chapter of my life.

Ascending the escalator, Max and I decided to commemorate the day we officially became freshmen by taking a selfie. Smiling, we captured the excitement and nervousness that filled our hearts. However, deep down, I couldn't deny my apprehension about our first class.

It's not that I despise accounting, but let's just say that my experience with it in 11th grade was a challenging ordeal. We had to rely on self-teaching through textbooks and YouTube videos. I can only hope that this time it'll be a better experience.

Upon reaching the upper ground floor of the building, my gaze darted around in search of Stephen Brown. I found myself wondering if he had changed over the summer. Not a drastic transformation, but perhaps a new hairstyle or a different sense of style. I also pondered if he remembered me. The closest we came to hanging out was when he helped me stand up to Stan, but after that, our paths never crossed again, not even for small talk.

It wasn't as if I purposely avoided him since then, but he somehow vanished from sight. I had skipped graduation to arrange a private ceremony at the hospital for my mother. I wanted her to be spared the travel and witness me receiving my high school diploma and awards. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful moments I had with her, her smile reflecting the pride she felt for me.

It reminded me that her happiness stems from seeing me lead a fulfilling life, regardless of the career I choose or the person I end up with. She has made it her mission to ensure my happiness, and I'll forever appreciate her for that.

Max and I stepped into the elevator, and she pressed the button for the 12th floor before the doors closed. We found ourselves alone in the confined space, and Max broke the silence with a skeptical tone. "So, I've been thinking about our first subject..."

Curiosity piqued, I asked, "What is it?"

Max hesitated for a moment before continuing, "You know how we're in different courses and majors, but somehow ended up as block mates in accounting?"

I nodded, acknowledging the oddity of our situation. "Yeah, it's kind of weird. You're majoring in Accounting, while I'm pursuing Marketing. Maybe the 'College of Accounts and Business' is still new here, and that's why there are so few students enrolled."

Max pondered my suggestion before a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "Hey, want to make a bet on how many students are in the classroom later?"

"Max..." I began, cautioning her.

"What?" she exclaimed, her voice rising slightly. "It could be fun! Besides, it's been ages since we made a bet..."

"I know, but you did say no more bets after the last one," I reminded her, hoping she'd reconsider.

"Fine..." Max reluctantly conceded. "But I'm still guessing there are around 30 students in the room."

As we approached the classroom, I mentally prepared myself, unsure if Stephen would be there or if fate would place us next to each other. Opening the door, I took a deep breath, only to be pleasantly surprised by the sight before me. There were merely ten students in the room at the moment, creating an unexpectedly intimate atmosphere.

Moreover, an eerie silence pervaded the space, giving the room a gloomy ambiance I had never experienced before. It was an intriguing blend of tranquility and solitude, unlike any classroom I had encountered.

Max's disbelief was evident as she whispered, "Okay... Let's take those empty seats over there," gesturing to two vacant spots on the second row, close to the wall and an electrical outlet.

We settled into our seats, contemplating whether we had made the right choice in selecting this university. Leaning closer to Max, I whispered, "Do you think we'll survive this silence and the small number of students for the next two hours?"

She shrugged, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "I don't know... And it seems like everyone here is lost in their own world. They're all engrossed in their gadgets, except for us. Will we even be able to socialize with them?"

"We could give it a try, but they do exude a 'Do not disturb' aura," I remarked, taking in the distant expressions on their faces.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and there stood Stephen Brown. He seemed slightly out of breath as if he had sprinted to the classroom. Physically, he appeared unchanged, with the same round face, brown eyes, and wavy brown hair that now had a side-swept style, fading on the sides but longer on top. He wore a simple white fitted shirt that accentuated his lean physique, along with a gray jacket, gray joggers, and white sneakers. Though he looked the same, there was something different about him today.

Our eyes met, and at that moment, I realized it was time for both of us to start anew.