"Fred, you need to be careful. How many times do I have to tell you not to behave in this manner anymore?!" A woman scolded loudly as she walked to and fro inside the office. She stood in a place afterward and glared at the not-so-young man sitting in front of her. His face was stern as well but the woman knew that he wasn't bothered.
"Are you even listening?" She asked him.
"Lydia, how was what I did a problem? I saved his life, I didn't drink him to death. I just couldn't hold it in."
"How is that an excuse, huh? You are saying it as if you only grabbed a bottle of beer and drank it. This is a human that we are talking about. They could have been any other students that were around, they could have seen you. You would look like a monster to those kids. Why didn't you use the medicine Stella made for you?"
"How can I rely on her medicine?"
"It's better than nothing."
"Then I would prefer to die, it's nothing new to me. I have been expecting it for a while now, I don't know why it is this slow." Fred replied and stood up.
"Fred, this is the last warning. Stay away from trouble and focus on your studies. You need them."
Fred didn't give any response and left the office.
*_*_*_*_*_*
"Is that the forest you were talking about earlier?" Mack pointed at it and Stella glanced over there before smiling.
"Yeah."
"Wow, it's…thick." He said.
"Let's continue our chat. So, the forest is a no-go area. There are guards, I think two of them are meant to prevent students from straying. We have different departments just like other universities and the teachers are expected to take their work very seriously. If you are going to take a day off, then let the head of the department be aware. These are the lecture rooms and over there are the hostels. I think four students per room." She gesticulated so he would know which was which.
He was fascinated by academic behavior and structure. It was indeed a school.
"Every weekend, the students are allowed to go outside the school but any other day aside this isn't permitted except if there is a SPECIFIC reason but the teachers are allowed to go anytime as long as it doesn't clash with their schedule."
"There is another rule too. Do you want to take a guess?"
"No fighting, maybe?"
Stella laughed, "No, let me save you the trouble. The rule is that no romantic or intimate relationship between the teachers and students is allowed as this could cause a lot of trouble. Of course, if they wanted to, they could since those we have here are grown adults legally. They can take responsibility for their actions but still, it is seen as a good way to prevent any chaos."
"So no teacher dates any students?"
"No one that I am aware of. Moreover, many of the teachers here are all married or engaged so a few of them like me, and you are expected to not do so. All in one, if you are going to do it, we don't want any diminishing scandal that can tarnish the image of the school."
As they continued walking, Stella excused herself to meet a group of students standing under one of the trees. Mack was staring at them while they were also looking at him but then focused on Stella as she got closer.
"Hey." Stella greeted them.
"Stella, hi." The only lady in the group responded while the guys gave a 'mono-response'.
"Who is he?" The girl asked. Stella looked over her shoulders and smiled.
"That's the new mathematician for the first-year students. His name is Mack."
"Wow, Mack. He is cute, definitely my type." The girl responded and got pinched by the guy holding her waist.
"Anyway, where is Fred?" Stella asked. The boys shrugged while the girl smirked. Stella sighed.
"He got into trouble again, didn't he?"
While Stella continued talking, Mack decided to take a stroll. As he was walking, he heard the distant sound of the piano. The tune was melodious and he decided to follow it up. He walked down the stairs and finally, he was standing in front of the room. On the door were written the words MUSIC ROOM.
He placed his hand on the door's handle and opened it. He was faced with the most beautiful sight ever.
The room was dark but not too much as there was the ray of sun but it was diverted in one direction, pointing towards an ethereal presence pressing the keys professionally. He was focused and soon, the slow tune melody changed to a fast rhythm.
Mack's eyes widened and soon the piano stopped playing. The pianist raised his head and immediately their eyes locked. Mack's heart skipped a beat. He then realized that this person was a guy, not a lady but why was he this gorgeous? He looked like a Greek god…no, that was a common term but Mack…he was unable to say anything.
It was like the moment had stopped for him. It was until the stranger stood up and pushed the chair backward that Mack came back to reality. They had been staring at each other for the past three minutes, that must have been awkward.
The guy walked closer to Mack and he realized how tall he was. Mack cleared his throat after blinking many times but this time around, he didn't care if he was being weird or not, he stared at the guy intently.
His facial features were even more majestic and he could have easily passed on as a legendary idol with cool looks. His thin lips and pointed nose stood out, his eyes didn't seem to invite warmth but somehow held it secretly so that it could create curiosity in the eyes of their beholder.
"You can use the room now." The guy finally spoke. His voice was deep and magnetic. He walked past Mack and closed the door. The latter shook his head.
"Huh? What…what just happened?" He looked around. He was alone in the music room and he remembered that he was meant to be on a school tour with Stella. She must have been looking for him.
Mack pulled the door open and rushed out. He collided with her on the way but fortunately, none of them got hurt.
"Are you alright?" She asked him.
"Yes, I am. Thank you. I was on my way to look for you." Mack replied.
"Same here. I lost you earlier but how did you even get yourself in here?" Stella inquired as they climbed the stairs.
"I heard a delightful tune while waiting for you so I decided to check it out."
"Hmm, I see. That will be all for today though. I have a class to catch up with. Here…this is your schedule and you are expected to follow them. Let's exchange phone numbers. You can call me if you need help, it is always twenty-four-seven."
"Thanks." Mack appreciated after collecting his phone back from her
"Have a nice day." Stella waved and then exited the presence. Mack decided to walk a few more minutes before going back to his room.