After arriving at the train station stop and walking a few meters, I arrived at the front gate building of Summit Peak University whose name is plastered into its gate building in a mix of blue and gold colors. In my previous visits here for my enrollment and my entrance exam, I explored the area quite a bit.
The university has 4 main buildings. First is the one in front of me, the gate building. It mainly accommodates visiting guests and checks if the students have the proper authorization to be let in. The security team of the university is also stationed here. Second is the east building where I'm supposed to head right now for my first class. Third is the north building (Also known as the main building) which houses most of the clubs and other important facilities. Last is the west building where I also have some of my classes later.
I strolled nervously as I entered the gate building among the many students who were also heading in the same direction as me. I was promptly stopped by the scanner wherein I flashed my ID card to gain entry. Inside there are plenty of security officers roaming around who politely greet students as they enter. I reciprocated the ones who greeted me as I headed for the east building. As I exited the gate building, I passed the beautiful park-like courtyard of the university and saw many students sitting on benches and relaxing under the red oak tree. I kind of envy them since I too would wish to spend my time here if I didn't have my first class to attend.
I arrived at the east building while taking in the scenery. I then slowly headed towards the classroom I was assigned to. My social anxiety started to kick in. I was nervous and a bit apprehensive as I stopped a few meters away from the door of the room. I saw other students walk inside and composed myself to do the same.
After a short while, I took a deep breath and mustered my courage as I entered the door. What greeted me inside was a large room with seats connected in a curvature elevated with each row for an easier view of the back rows. There were more than 20 students as far as I can tell and most of them just kept to themselves save for a few who probably knew each other beforehand. In the middle of it all was the teacher's podium. Behind it is a large screen as tall as me but a whole lot wider which serves as a screen blackboard. I saw an empty seat at the farthest rear corner and tried to make myself look as small as possible while silently walking past the other seats to arrive at my goal all the while ignoring the curious stares I received.
I sighed in relief as I got seated on the farthest row of the classroom. I immediately brought up my school-issued tablet and very carefully attached it to the table. The school tablet was still their property unlike my own tablet and phone so it would be very bad if I damaged it. Aside from paying the fine, it would be quite embarrassing to explain my clumsiness. It fits quite well with a satisfying clink on the metallic structure for its intended purpose. As I finished my preparations, I overheard some of my classmates talking to each other.
"I heard from my sister who studies here that our professor in this class is kind and considerate." Came from a male voice.
"For real? I hope so, I'm kinda scared, to be honest. It would be a huge relief if our teachers weren't super strict. For real!" A high-pitched female voice responded.
I'd be more relieved if you could just speak normally, for real.
Though to be honest, I am also quite glad that I'm not the only one apprehensive about the class. Misery loves company, I guess.
"Have you watched the game yesterday between RG and Eclipse?" A boisterous voice said.
"Of course, you know I'm a big Zetta fan, I wouldn't miss a single one of his matches." A cheerful female voice chimed in.
Zetta..... That's a name I haven't heard for quite a while. The sudden mention of it made me do a quick look at the one talking.
As I turned to look at the source of the voice, I saw a blonde girl with a bubbly disposition. She had a pretty-looking face, more on the cute side than beautiful but pleasing to the eye nonetheless, and a brown hazel eyes that shines with youthfulness. One distinctive feature that I immediately noticed were her breast which looked like they were being constrained by her casual t-shirt and skirt wear. God, they are huge. Does she ever have back pain because of those?
"Hmph, I can beat that guy if we ever have a 1v1 match without set advantages." The boy said smugly.
The voice came from a lanky boy with sharp facial features and brown hair with a faded cut. He has an air of arrogance and confidence around him giving off an aura of someone who is prideful and conceited. I'm most likely wrong in my initial deduction but that is just the impression I get from looking at him. I know I'm being biased but considering his earlier statement, that is the best I can do for him.
"If you can't even win against me in a 1v1 fight, how can you expect to win against any pro? And Zetta no less?" the girl defended her idol.
"I was just holding back because you're a girl! If I got serious, you won't stand a chance." The guy bit back.
"Again with your excuses! Just admit I'm better than you!"
I get that trash-talking is a part of playing competitive games, even more so between close friends but pick the right place and the right time for Pete's sake. You guys are garnering stares you know, I feel a second-hand embarrassment just by looking at you two.
Thankfully the professor arrived halting their bickering. No, wait! Not 'thankfully', I haven't mentally prepared myself for the class yet! I blame these two for this.
Having not even the slightest idea of my internal plight, the professor confidently walked to the center.
He is tall, professional looking, and has short-cut dark hair. He is probably in his mid-thirties judging by his mature look which is enunciated by white polo and tie. He proceeds to prepare his belongings while completely ignoring the class as if it were a daily occurrence, which to be fair, it probably is. That went on for a while and no one in the room dared to even utter a single word. As the silence was becoming unbearable for me, the professor suddenly voiced out a short greeting for the very first time since he entered.
"Good morning, everyone. I will be your World History A010 instructor, I am Mr. Abel Jones or you may simply refer to me as Mr. Jones" He said in a loud clear voice all the while his whole name flashed on the large screen at his back.
The whole class responded to his greeting though not in unison and with different audibility.
"Before anything else, I have only one house rule you must follow during my class, and that is not to interrupt me while I am teaching," He said commandingly.
"I do not care if you do not pay attention to my lectures as long as you pass the practical and exam but do not spoil it for those who are willing to learn. Do I make myself clear?" He said in a loud, intimidating voice.
A resounding 'Yes sir' came from the whole class.
"Good, as long as you follow that simple rule, we will get along just fine. Moving on, first on the list is attendance. Please verify your attendance"
At his cue, a verification screen was prompted into the student-issued tablet. It was a form of attendance and very efficient at that. All you have to do is to verify your thumbprint on the tablet and you will be marked as present for the given class. It beats having to roll call every time since it is time efficient and cheat free...Unless you cut off your classmate's finger and bring it to class for his or her attendance.... what the heck is wrong with me with these grim thoughts just randomly popping out of nowhere today?
"So, everyone is present except for..... 'Mr. Harison Walker'?" He said as if expecting the Harison guy to interject, but no voice came.
"Now to start your very first day of my class, I'll pair you into groups of two students." He said as the screen behind him showed the whole class's IDs in pairs of two.
I took a look at the face (taken from our ID) and name I am paired with and realization dawned on me. It was a picture of the blonde girl from before who was arguing with the boisterous guy. I took a quick peek at the girl, Elizabeth Miles. For a moment she seemed to be searching for her pair but when our eyes met, she flashed me a dazzling smile. I nodded in acknowledgment and instantly took my eyes off her pretending to listen to the professor in an attempt to hide my diffidence.
"These groups are randomly computer generated. What I would like you to do for today is to write a biography about the student you are paired with. It will serve as a practice for writing an autobiography about yourself for one of your later projects. You will send it to me at our next meeting via your class tablet. Keep it short for now, just a general summary biography of about 250 to 500 words. Do note that you will be graded individually. Any questions?"
A girl in the front raised her hand, it is hard to see her features from here but she seems nervous.
"Uhm.... my pair is absent." The girl said in an almost inaudible voice.
"Oh, I forgot about Mr. Walker. Join another group for now." He pressed something on the podium and one of the pairs became a group of three. "The three of you decide on who writes about whom. Any other questions?"
After a short while of silence, he continued.
"Okay, you may begin, move to your pairs as you wish." He said as he took an old-fashioned hard copy of a leather book (something you rarely see nowadays) from his bag and started to read, leaving us to our own devices.
What that guy said earlier about the professor seems true. While he may be intimidating at first glance, he probably paired us in consideration of those who have no acquaintances yet in this class to make friends. Like me for example... How depressing.
As I was ruminating about our professor's actions, I heard someone call out to me.