I sit through class after class and the staffs introduce me before the start of every lecture as I'm the new transfer student today, in other words I'm the sacrificial lamb. I somehow control my nerves while introducing myself. Although this kept happening throughout the day, I feel as nervous as I was in the beginning of the first introduction session.
Also, I somehow manage to shut my brain off from thinking about the Dean. He is not an easy personality to forget, but every time I think about him, I distract myself by doing something else.
A guy named Simon introduced himself to me during our second lecture and I have most of the classes with him, so he tags along. He gives a tour of the entire campus during one of our free hours. Simon seems nice but I get flirty vibes from him, so maybe, I might need to have a lengthy conversation with him in the future.
I also meet a girl today and her name is Tori. She is short, just like me, and a redhead. She is funny and cheerful, but I only had few classes with her, so she left early and promised me that we'll meet every day.
The school is over by afternoon and I go to have lunch with Simon at the school cafeteria. I also call Margaret and Marcus to join us to make it seem less awkward.
The cafeteria is not as big as the other buildings in the campus, and it's tidy and clean. I see a counter where they serve lunch, and all the caterers are wearing chef hats and uniforms. The students have formed a line to pick food. It's typically like my high school canteen with some fancy boards and pictures hung on the wall.
I can't believe, this place is fancier and much better than the city high school I studied in.
We go to an empty table almost in the middle and, Simon takes the seat opposite to me. He runs a hand through his curly hair and rolls up his long sleeves letting out a sigh. He's nervous being alone with me. I get it! I can easily tell, because I often exude these characteristics when I'm uncomfortable.
I see Margaret enter and I wave her in our direction. Simon feels at ease, as soon as Margaret and Marcus join us. She takes the seat beside me, and Marcus sits near Simon.
"So, you found yourself a new friend! Hey, I'm Marcus", he says to Simon and reaches out his hand.
"I'm Simon! Good to meet you", he grins.
Even though Margaret, Marcus and I go to the same school, they both are my seniors here. So, they obviously have different circle of friends.
When the two guys are getting accustomed to each other, Margaret slowly tilts to my side and whispers, "So, how was your day?", and her dimples are on full display due to the sweet smile forming on her face.
She's very cute and I'm oddly curious if she's single. Putting that thought aside, I first reply to her question, "It was fine! A little tiring due to all the introductions", I chuckle sadly at that.
She chuckles too. "Yeah! Being the new transfer student must be weird to you, right?", she asks.
"Yeah", I say and tuck the strand of hair behind my ear.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come and meet you during breaks. One of my friends is standing for the upcoming student body election and I had to help him prepare banners for it", she says grudgingly.
"Oh, I see! There are student bodies here?", I ask curiously.
"Yes! It's more like student union. Only from second year, you are allowed to stand for elections", she says as a matter of fact.
"Oh! And what do they do?"
"They take care of all the affairs. Most of the grievances, problems which students face everyday and gets them sorted out with the staffs and the Dean. Of course, nobody is allowed to meet the Dean, including the staffs and the student body head. But they can communicate their problems through his secretary and get it sorted!", she says.
I mentally take note of it, but curse her for bringing up about him now. I was concentrating so hard on not thinking about him since this morning.
Margaret is still facing me when she asks, "Speaking of which, how did the meeting go?"
"Which meeting?", I ask innocently as if I'm unaware of what she's talking about.
"Guys can we bring over the food?", Simon asks interrupting our discussion and I'm so thankful to him.
I nod and we all get up, to stand in the line.
They all take their utensils and moves on, but, unfortunately, when it's my turn, the spoons are over and one of the servers goes inside to bring it.
I just stand there idly, with a single plate in my hand, scrolling mindlessly through the endless posts on social media. I'm not much of a social media person. I just like scrolling through the mind-numbing videos all the time.
Suddenly, there's a commotion among the students which makes me look up from my phone. I don't understand what's happening, until I turn and look in the direction everyone is focused on.
He's standing there! By the door!
I can't believe my eyes, so I rub them again and again and shake my head multiple times before seeing properly and I'm not mistaken.
It's Ryan…. Fucking….Wulfric. The Dean!
What is he doing here at the cafeteria? Does he usually have lunch here?
Just now Margaret was telling about how difficult it is to meet him including the staffs or the student council president and he's here.
Why?
Oh no! He's heading in my direction.