First day (Part 1)

A week ago, I moved to the new apartment near the university with my best friend Jen. We've been friends for many years, which is why we decided to go to the same university, even though we're studying different majors. She chose economics, while I, who love computer science, will study systems engineering. Today is our first day. Jen is straightening her hair in my room and asks me to help her with the back because she can't reach it. Her hair is very long, reaching just to her hips. She's wearing a dress that leaves little to the imagination, and her body is very well defined, even though she's not that thin. Still, everything looks perfect on her. Between the two of us, Jen is the prettier one. Although I don't consider myself ugly, I've always thought I have a nice body, even though I lack a bit of hips (and therefore, a butt). This year I signed up for the gym to correct that.

— What are you going to wear? —Jen asks.

— Don't tell me you're wearing those baggy pants with that 20th-century blouse and those dirty white sneakers.

— They're comfortable. —I frown—. All my clothes are comfortable.

— I'm not going to let you dig your social grave on your first day. No one will want to talk to you if you dress like that.

— I came here to study, not to make friends. Besides, the only friend I need is you.

Jen stops ironing her hair for a second and looks at me through the mirror.

— You flatter me, but I'm not going out with you if you dress like that.

— Look, the advantage is that everyone will see you as prettier if you go out with an ugly duckling who doesn't know how to dress. —I laugh.

— Come on, ugly duckling, I have an hour to turn you into a swan.

Jen almost drags me to her room, pulls many things out of her closet until she finds what she's looking for: a black skirt, a yellow tank top, a jacket, and black booties.

— You want me to wear that?

— Of course, you'll look great.

— I don't think so, no way.

I put the blouse back in the closet, but she takes it again and puts it on the bed.

— Why not? I know you don't like to show a lot of skin, but this isn't revealing at all. Come on, new year, new makeover, that's what I always say.

— You just made that up. Besides, I can't.

— Why not?

— I'd have to shave my legs.

— I don't see the problem. —She crosses her arms.

— I forgot my razor.

— I'll give you one. —She takes a razor from a drawer—. Hurry, you have fifty minutes to get ready.

I think about it for a moment. This could be my chance to improve. I've always wanted Jen's self-esteem, and this could be the first step.

— Fine. —I roll my eyes—. You win.

— Hurry up and shower, so I can do your makeup.

— Don't push me.

— Okay, okay, just a little, nothing too elaborate.

— Thanks.

I go into the shower. The first thing I do is shave my legs and armpits, then I wash my hair and body. When I get out, I brush my teeth. Jen brought the clothes to my room, so I get dressed quickly, dry my hair in ten minutes, and straighten it a bit. My hair is straight, so it doesn't need much straightening. I have time to spare, so in those remaining twenty-five minutes, Jen does my makeup. She puts a little eyeshadow and eyeliner on my eyes, some blush on my cheeks, and finally red lipstick on my lips.

— You look beautiful, this look suits you very well. —She says as she tucks the blouse into the skirt.

— You think so?

I get up from the vanity and look at myself in the mirror. I look a little strange, but I think she's right, I look pretty.

— Ready? —Jen asks, taking her car keys from her purse.

— Yes. —I smile.

As we leave the apartment, Marie, our neighbor, is already waiting for us in the hallway. She also studies economics, is in her third year, and helped us set up the apartment last week. She doesn't have a car, so Jen offered to give her a ride to the university.

It's seven thirty, classes start at eight, and the university is fifteen minutes away by car, so we arrive with plenty of time.

— This is your building. —Marie says, pointing to a gray building.

— Have a good day, go break some hearts. —Jen pats my butt as I get out.

— Hey!

She doesn't let me finish speaking, she just accelerates so she doesn't hear me, but I can still hear her laughter as she drives away.

I walk towards my building, go up to the second floor looking for my classroom. "Room 203, room 203," I repeat in my mind as I look for it. On the other side of the building, I see the sign with the number: 203. I walk quickly towards it, but my walk is interrupted when a guy passes by me, hitting me with his shoulder in the back. The impact makes my cell phone fall to the ground. Without even stopping to apologize, he keeps walking. I pick it up quickly, afraid that the screen is broken. Fortunately, it's not. The last thing I see of him is the classroom he enters: 203.

— Damn it, I hope we don't have to meet inside the classroom.

Entering the classroom, I find an empty desk in the middle and decide it's best to sit there, not in the back so I can pay attention. The guy who bumped into me sat in the back, and I'm still annoyed.

— Good morning, class. —Says the professor, a middle-aged man who enters the classroom with a briefcase, a folder in one hand, and a coffee in the other.

— Today I'll just give a quick introduction to the course. Then I'll give you the instructions for our first assignment. Please write your name on this list. I'll assign the partners.

The list goes through the rows while the professor continues with the introduction. When it gets to me, I write my name and pass the list. I try to listen to the professor, but it's very boring.

I unlock my cell phone and send a message to Jen:

° This is very boring, the professor won't stop talking. 8:25 am ✓✓

She responds in less than a minute.

° At least yours is teaching, mine has us reading while he plays Candy Crush. 8:26 am

° On the first day he gave us a group assignment. Can you believe it? 8:26 am ✓✓

° On the first day he'll give us a test at the end of class on this chapter. I already want to go home. 8:29 am

° See you for lunch? 8:31 am ✓✓

° Yes, do you want pizza? 8:35 am

° You shouldn't even ask, you know I do. See you then. 8:38 am ✓✓

— Is anyone missing from the list? —the professor asks.

No one answers, they just look at each other.

— Okay, I'm going to assign the partners and then explain the assignment. —He puts the list on his desk—. Everyone come to the front with your things.

We all gather at the front with our things and the professor stands in front of us to get a better look.

— When you hear your name, you can start sitting down. First take the seats in the back, starting from left to right. I'll call you two by two.

The professor checks the list and starts calling the partners. He continues like this until there are only twelve students left.

— Katrina Kloss and Denver Casanova.

Denver? It must be a girl. As I turn to walk to my assigned spot, I realize that Denver is not a girl. In fact, he's the guy who bumped into me in the hallway. I curse under my breath as I continue walking towards the desk. Neither of us says a word. Denver keeps writing on his cell phone while I glance at him out of the corner of my eye.

° The girl I have to work with this semester is a 7/10.

If you like her more, you can have her 9:01 am ✓✓

This idiot just rated me a seven? Who does he think he is? I read the contact name: "Bros". It must be his group of friends or something.

— Do you want to keep reading the conversation?

I'm petrified, the color drains from my face.

— Excuse me? —I say, nervously.

— I saw you, I know you read what I wrote.

— Yes, I did and you're an asshole. —I say, annoyed.

— I've been called worse.

— I believe you, you seem like an idiot.

— And you seem like an easy girl. —He says with a smile, thinking he's won.

— Here the only one who seems to sleep with anything that has a hole is you—I glare at him.

The smile disappears from his face. He looks at me annoyed as he locks his cell phone.

— Excellent response. —He raises both eyebrows—. It's not easy to leave me speechless.

— Thanks. —I smile triumphantly—. I grew up with two older brothers, I had to learn to defend myself.

— I can tell. —He says, looking at the professor who has just stood up to give the instructions.