Campus Days

Friendship at first sight

Alexandra (Alex) POV

First day of lectures!

Wonder how it will be. School life cannot be compared to university life, each has its own charms and trials. Each has its own memories. I will not compare them, they are all precious to me.

As I woke up I made a resolution for the day, that I will try and make friends today. During my school days, I never initiated a conversation with new classmates, I only respond when they approach me first and carry on from there. But things had to change, there is a first to everything. I wanted to come out of my insecure brooding self.

I am insecure not cause anyone bullied me, made fun of me, or I got rejected. None of these happened in my life. I was always loved by my family and relatives and never bullied. Simply blessed. My insecurities come from me comparing myself to others. Crazy, I know. She has long and thick hair than me, she is slim and fit than me, she is taller than me, she is fairer than me, she is beautiful than me, she scores high grades than me. See what I did there. That's what led to my insecurities.

NO MORE!!

This had to stop. My insecurities are pulling me down, making me brood instead of concentrating on my goals, which are to complete my bachelor's and climb the ladder in my career ever since I was nine. I want to make my parents proud.

Even though I had my outfit for the day ready last night, I still was late to class on my first day. Wanna know why? I sleep like a dead log and mama has to shout at me till her throat gets dry to wake me up. Followed by her famous dialogue, how can you take care of yourself if you can't even wake up on time? No discipline at all. But I was late by 15 minutes only, so that's fine.

Sir was already in class and I sat at the first row in the Auditorium, I didn't want to disturb the others by looking for a seat. After a few minutes of a brief introductory from our lecturer, I tried to start up a conversation with the girl seated to my left. She had long silky hair, slim and tall. What am I thinking? Shake it off Alex.

Me: Hi!

Girl: Hi!

That's it!

Now, what do I say? Let's try again!

Me: Hi! I am Alexandra, you can call me Alex. What's your name?

Silence! *Cricket sounds*

Okay. That's a failure. Don't give up Alex, not yet. 

Maybe we can start with someone else, in the next break, we'll shift to another row, and let's try our luck again. But I made a mental note that this girl right here is RUDE and I am going to stay away from her. This is who I am. If I don't like a person I will maintain distance from them, rarely do I find myself mingling with them only if they prove that they aren't being rude anymore.

I may be insecure about my looks but never let others rule over me. I am my own boss.

Just then another girl entered into the auditorium, panting. Must have run all the way here. The space to my right was empty so she sat down next to me.

Ok, here's another chance. Let's see how it goes. I am worried at this point but it's ok, we'll see.

Me: Hi!

Girl to the right: Hi!

Oh, come on. Again!! No, I am not giving up.

Me: I am Alexandra, you can call me Alex. What's your name?

This time I offered my hand to shake. Hell if she ignores me too it will be embarrassing.

Girl to the right: Hey! I am Uriah Marryat. I got late, did sir give any notes.

Me: Oh, don't worry. It's just an introductory session.

Now, what do I say? That's all it's going to be? What next?

Sir announced the first tea break for the day.

We have three breaks for the day. Half an hour morning tea break, followed by a one hour-long lunch break and another half an hour evening tea break. Lectures were scheduled five days a week from morning 8 a.m to 3:30 p.m.

Uriah: Alex

Me: Yeah?

Uriah: My friends are seated at the back. Would you like to join us for tea?

Me: Is it ok? Would they mind? I would love to join you guys, I know no one from this batch except you for now. If it's an issue it's alright I can manage.

Uriah: Are you mad it's not an issue at all. Come on.

Uriah had long straight hair. She was a few inches taller than me and slim and fit. Tan skinned. Seemed to have a cheerful personality.

She led me to the 5th row where two girls stood up as we went near them. She introduced me to them.

Both the girls had spectacles on, sporting ponytails, the shortest of the two had a high ponytail and the tallest had a low ponytail. All four of us were in jeans and t-shirts. Aurora was the shortest among us and Phoenix was the tallest. These were the first things I noticed.

Uriah and Phoenix went to the canteen to have their morning tea while Aurora and I stayed back. The two of us had small talk asking each other about our family, school, residence, and likes and dislikes. We exchanged our phone numbers too.

I had to change my campus t-shirt since I had bought a size too big. So I asked Aurora if she would come with me, she agreed and we both headed out to our programme office. She was speaking about how she saw me on the inauguration day and was curious to know who I was and if I was a friendly person. Guess her curiosity is satisfied now.

Curiosity killed the cat and satisfaction brought it back!

Class resumed. In the evening tea break, our campus served Nestea and Nescafe for students of the school of business. Students love to break rules so school of computing students joined the queue too. It's not like they are going to check our IDs.

The man who served tea for us was lovingly called by students as Sumo. It's not cause he looks like a sumo fighter, his name is Samuel, but a senior batch had nicknamed this short and thin old man as Sumo. Which continued among the later batches too and he loved it, to have young chaps flock around him and treat him as one of them. I made it a point to have Nestea during my evening tea breaks. I am a tea addict, not a fan of coffee.

The four of us exchanged numbers, had a few conversations, and joked about for the entire day.

I was over the moon that my first day at campus seemed to be fun and the fact that I had three others to talk with was elating.

Wonder what's in store tomorrow?

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Hey, my dear readers! This is a story based on real-life events. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Keep supporting us if you want to know more about the girls' campus life.

I will update you soon. See you.