I Fell In Love with a Fishboy!

Quirky Gorl

My brown orbs unpeeled to see another bright and sunny morning. Immediately, I see a sign that I have on my wall, reading, It's a beautiful day to have a beautiful day.

"Yes, indeed!" I smile, glancing out the window to already see people hammocking and playing on the lawn.

That's quite early. Usually, they wait a little later for that. I check my clock.

WHAT? 2:45?

I have 15 minutes to go to my Comparative Politics class that's across campus! I had to finish a paper last night, but I thought I sat an alarm. I must've slept through it!

What am I going to do? I sigh and sit for a few minutes to recollect my thoughts.

2:48.

I didn't even shower yet! My suite mate, Holly Lejebjeb is hogging the restroom, so I can't even brush my teeth!

2:50.

Now I have 10 minutes. Should I even go to class? We aren't doing much today. I sit and contemplate a bit longer.

2:53.

I finally decide to find an outfit and brush my teeth. Holly will just have to be okay with it.

I enter the restroom and make my way toward my sink, "Hi, Holly."

"AHHHHHHHHH!" She screams. That's what she sounds like when she's on the phone.

By the time I get ready to leave, it's 2:57. I still have time to just not go. I still have to make it though. I decide with the latter and begin my race to the third floor of Jordyn Hall. Before I left, I grabbed a granola bar and started my podcast. Maybe it'll be a beautiful day to have a beautiful day after all!

I finally arrive in class after cutting a 10 minute trip in half! That's right, it's 3:02, but Dr. Burner still started promptly at 3. Everyone was staring at me as I entered. I'm just a couple minutes late!

"Sorry, Dr. Burner. I'm just a quirky gorl," I slide some of my hair behind my ear and look down.

"Mmm."

I sigh and sit down. Typical Burner response. I couldn't even do my morning routine. Now I have to fry my brain for the next hour and 13 minutes! By this time, everyone has stopped staring at me except this one guy from across the room. I don't even know his name, but he's been doing this all semester. My other friends caught on, and I even told some people in the Zoo about it.

I look back to check if he's staring. He still is.

He wears Bass Pro Shops caps every class. Fishy. He has a friend who dresses just like him, except his friend doesn't stare me down for the whole hour. I sit by the window, so maybe he just likes to watch outside. I test this theory and sink down in my seat a little.

His eyes follow, but more intently now. I sit back up, and his eyes follow.

Does he blink?

Dr. Burner asks a question, and once no one answers, she starts calling on students.

"Niam, what do you think?" She calmly asks. So Niam is his name? Maybe he likes how both of our names start with N. Nika and Niam, Niam and Nika.

Great! Maybe he'll look at her when he answers the question! It is a toughie.

Except he doesn't.

Staring directly at me, he answers, "I think comparative politics are interesting because it gives us an opportunity to compare politics in world." He didn't blink.

"Mmm! Very insightful!" Dr. Burner says. Dr. B, he didn't even acknowledge you! Ughhhh!

I figured out that I can't win in this class, so I stare back.

He leans forward. I look away.

Times like these, I wish I were the bold one so I could confront him. Do I have something on my face? I look at my laptop camera. Nope, just chocolate on my skin, purrr.

I don't even know why I'm so worried. He does this every class period, but for some reason, it feels different...

After that uncomfortable class, I head over to the Zoo to get some work done. It looks like I'm going to have to be up late again! Luckily, I don't have class tomorrow, just something due. I also have to debrief my buddies on class today. I kind of have a weird feeling about what's going on.