The next morning, Aubrey woke up with a smile on her face. Today, she had the Introduction to Chemistry class with Richard "Ricky" Davies. The pair coordinated their schedule last semester and Aubrey was sad to find that she only had one class in common with Ricky who was an engineering major. Surprisingly, the man shared 2 classes with Beverly even though the latter majored in international business. What dratted luck was that? Well, Aubrey decided she was going to take what she can get. Beggars can't be choosers after all. Plus the chemistry class is like two classes in one since there's a laboratory component to it.
Aubrey possessed such a positive outlook when she came to school only to find out that Ricky had dropped the class on the day of. Not to mention, the class seemed to have some kind of celebrity or something. There's 20 people in the add list and people have been stopping by to peek into the class every now and then. For an intro to chemistry course, this is basically unheard of.
'It's only the second day of school. Just who could be taking the class that's so popular? The professor was just supposed to be okay.'
Aubrey was so deep in thought that she didn't notice someone occupy the seat beside her.
"Is this seat taken?" Asked a pleasant masculine voice.
"No, go ahead." Aubrey answered unconsciously. She didn't bother to look to her side. What eventually caught her attention were the quiet gasps of the students around her.
"She's so lucky." Aubrey heard someone whisper.
"I'd give everything to be that pen right now."
"Forget the pen. I want to be the seat he's sitting on. Swoon."
Aubrey subconsciously frowned. Just what in the heck did she just hear? She looked up from the webnovel she was reading to come face to face with a wolf of a man. Dark hair, chiseled jaw, high nose bridge, dimpled cheeks and amber eyes framed by thick dark lashes. He was stunningly good looking and also strangely familiar. Where has she seen him before? Either way the man was…
"Unnecessarily handsome." She muttered under her breath, unaware that the man heard everything.
Rhyland shot his seatmate an amused glance. Unnecessarily handsome? This is the first time he's been described as such. Strikingly handsome. Yes. Devilishly good looking. Yes. But unnecessarily handsome? Definitely not.
"My name's Rhyland. Rhyland Leslie Darling." The man introduced himself with an attractive smile.
"Aubrey Lee Young." The young woman curtly responded without looking at Rhyland. Unlike the students around them, she didn't seem to be fazed by that smile. She didn't like it. This man is too damn shiny. It's so hard to even look at him.
"Aubrey." Rhyland said while nodding, savoring the feel of her name on his lips. Oblivious, he didn't seem to realize the girl's apprehensions towards him. "That's a pretty name. Nice to meet you, Aubrey."
Aubrey simply nodded in response.
"What is she doing?"
"Why is she acting like that?"
"Probably trying to get Rhyland's attention." Aubrey frowned hearing the whispers about her.
'Excuse me! I didn't ask to be seated next to this guy! He came to me!' She thought with a dissatisfied expression on her face. Of course, she would never voice this out loud. Confrontation is contrary to Aubrey's nature. However, just when she thought she would have to be subject to this the entire class, Rhyland turned around and made a gesture to the people around them to keep quiet. Ending the whispers.
"Thank you." Still not making eye contact, Aubrey conveyed her gratitude.
"Not at all. It's all because of me. I apologize." Rhyland said magnanimously.
'So you do know you're the cause of my misery. If you know then shoo!' Aubrey thought unhappily.
Luckily, before the man could make more small talk, the professor entered the room.
Professor McGinnis is a wiry bespectacled old man with a love for science. The surprise in his face was evident when he entered the classroom full of people. Catching a glimpse of Rhyland at the back seat, Prof. McGinnis shook his head with a sigh. No doubt it's because of that troublemaker that the class was full to the brim.
Addressing the students, Professor McGinnis said, "The class is full. I will not be adding anyone outside of the ones already currently on the list. As for the 20 people on the add list, you will automatically be added in order of the people who drop. And I am only adding 5 students."
"In addition, the one seating beside you will be your buddy for the lab later so I suggest you get to know each other well."
'What?!?!?!' Aubrey stared at Professor McGinnis in horror. 'I can't pair up with this person. He is the complete antithesis of what I stand for!'
The entire room erupted with shouts of shock and dismay. The majority of the male and female population wanted to pair up with THE Rhyland Darling only to be disappointed with the professor's announcement.
'Ugh. It's just my luck.' The one girl who should've been over the moon with the pairing looked like she just lost a thousand pounds.
Meanwhile, Rhyland shot the girl with a heartstopping grin causing the girl to squint at him in response.
"I'll be in your care, Partner"