In A Perfect World | Novella

Chapter One

Psychology classes are about as boring as they get.

Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely enjoy the subject. I love learning about reasons why people do certain things, how our minds are working in some way but then somehow, it works another way for someone else. It's like mind reading only - not really. But as far as college lectures are concerned, Psychology class is as monotone as the colour beige.

About eight months into the academic year and all of us are still reeling from the Easter Break and the growing warm breeze of summer. I am still busy trying to make sense of this subject - while preparing for the end of year tests. You'd think that as a freshman, things would be slow and progressive and enjoyable but no. There's stress galore over here. No one really cares if you're stressed out or somehow making it through. Everyone is absorbed into their own little world by now.

Ugh. I still have another hour in here and I think I might just eat my own hand.

I sighed, slumping down against my seat as I twirled my pen at hand. In an attempt to distract myself, I looked around. But then again, being in a lecture hall such as this one doesn't really give that much of something to look at. If you're fond of windows or wooden panels then maybe then.

What about people watching?

Yes, that. It's still psychology in some sense. It might not be fully related to the basics of Conformity like we're talking about but it's still something.

I lay my elbow on my tiny desk, just a bit over my module and laid my chin on my hand. There, I started spectating.

To the right, just a few rows down. Thanks to the curvature of the hall, all of us somehow faced one another without actually doing so but down there, a blonde girl sat. She was chewing at the end of her pen. She wore a floral crop top and a bandana over her wavy hair. She looked as if she was straight out of cottagecore - or just a straight-up valley girl - considering of course, that this is LA. From up here, her notes looked prettier than journalistic newsletters and whatnot. Embezzled with pretty pink highlights and rose gold stickers. I chuckled when I knew that one of those titles was about 'psychopathology' which in retrospect, writing that with any type of shimmering designs would make it seem like it's such a fun topic - it isn't.

I must have chuckled louder than I intended to as a few heads turned to me and I cleared my throat in an attempt to hide it. The blood was quick to rush to my cheeks but I was far from being embarrassed so I just played it off. I picked myself up and leaned back.

Ok, maybe she isn't the most interesting. Let's keep looking.

I think I must be going crazy to find entertainment in other's when we are in the same class, probably experiencing the same boredom. Sometimes, I do wonder why I still go to these lectures when I can easily just sit at home and watch the recordings at two-times speed - like every other normal person. But alas, we continue.

Ooh, up there, just in the back rows. A guy with his hoodie over his head. His left hand supported his face while he dozed off. His eyes were merely just slits glinting with the sun pouring through the window. I can't blame him for sleeping. Not only is it boring here, but it's also quite comfortable. With the scorching heat out there, beaten by the air-conditioned breeze in here - God it is tempting to lay back and relax. But, I've also got a few reasons for looking around myself - not just because I'm bored. Although, I do try to deny it as much as I can. Why? Because I have never been relaxed in my life - ever.

Just a few seats from this hoodie guy sat James.

I never bothered to find out his last name and I only know him to be that because I've seen him out with his friends, down at Sunset Boulevard once.