let me teach you

as it was

i rush through the halls of the main building, excitement bubbling inside of me. it's the first day of the new semester, my final year, and right now i'm on my way to pick up my schedule for the next months, which turns out to be harder than i originally anticipated.

the hallways are so crowded that i constantly have to duck to the side or do lunges to not be hit by bags or elbows and have to dance around the other students on my tiptoes at the same time to even see where i'm going. it's a real parkour but i have to hurry up if i don't want to be late first thing this semester. but that's what i've always loved about first days. the thrill, the rush of adrenaline and anticipation for the future that lay in the air, even though this technically isn't a real first day. i'm probably gonna keep most of the  classes and professors from last year anyway, so nothing is actually that new. but still, it's exciting. another fresh start.

when i finally reach the main office i'm close to having a heart attack. i put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath, as the door opens and mrs jenson, the secretary, steps into the hallway with a stack of papers in her arms. due to my ducked position she doesn't see me in time and we collide as i'm just straightening my posture again, making the papers clatter to the ground.

"oh, y/n dear, sorry, i didn't see you there!" she exclaims as she recognizes me. mrs jenson and i have been friends since my very first day at this university, when i knew no one and she found me in the hall confused like a lost puppy.

she offered to show me to my class and give me a tour after, during which she talked non-stop, telling me everything she though was important to know about the institution. which was a lot, but actually proved very helpful, i like to think i know these walls and all the hidden places and short cuts better than any other student or staff member thanks to her.

i even have the privilege to use her coffee machine and sit in her office to study or when i just need some peace and quiet or want to catch up with her. she might be in her late sixties but her mind is still very much alive and active.

not her back though, which makes me immediately drop to my knees to collect the sheets that are spread across the floor. "oh no, i'm sorry mrs jenson, i shouldn't have stood right by the door. i just came to pick up my schedule."

"i figured" she answers as i get up and hand her the stack, pulling out a paper and handing it to me. "here it is actually, i thought you might not make it through these crowds in time, so i wanted to bring it to you!" she smiles at me warmly and winks. my heart aches with sympathy for the older woman. "thank you so much, now i might actually make it, you're the best!" i let out with a relieved sigh, taking the sheet out of her hands and folding it in the middle.

mrs jenson's smile widens as she says "i sure like to think so. but now go, go, we don't want you to be late!" with that she shoos me away. "have fun! maybe come by for a coffee later?" "thanks! i will and i will" i laugh, walking backwards before i turn around and prepare myself for another round of trying to get to my destination alive. which destination that is i quickly check on the schedule still in my hand.

ENGLISH BES E06

it says at the very top of the page, labeled monday. who would've thought, english with mr benson, just like last year, i think as i make my way through the slowly emptying hallways to room E06.

i study for my master in english literature, so of course english classes are obligatory. but i'm not complaining, if you participate mr benson's classes are pretty fun most of the time.

when i reach the door to E06 just 2 minutes early, i finally dare read what else is on the schedule. nothing out of the ordinary...

AMERICAN HISTORY JAN H03...

ENGLISH POETRY WIS E11...

RUSSIAN ROM B13...

LANGUAGE HIST-

wait, what? RUSSIAN??