Okay, the pdf file stated that Eng Lit class starts at 8. By the time Cheryl found the hall, the time was 7.30. Yes! She's gonna show this place who's the boss. On the very first day, she'll show everyone who's the valedictorian who's gonna benam everyone at this godforsaken school. She's gonna get that sole spot of fast track to UNIM.
However, by the time she reaches the door, she could feel the cold sensation brewing through. Is someone already here? She opened the door, and was shocked to see that the lights were blaring bright. A guy was already sitting in the seat, studying. Shit.
"Good morning", an elderly sounding woman greeted. Cheryl turned.
Standing before her was a middle-aged Malay lecturer, bringing her bag and a handful of reference books.
"You're pretty early, young lady"
"Ah, yes. Madam...", she tried to read her nametag. But it was in Jawi.
"It's Madam Hab", she replied, before walking towards her table.
Cheryl followed her around.
"I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised that this college finally has students that are of excellent caliber", Madam Hab continued.
"Good morning, Madam Habsah!", the guy skipped down the stairs.
She looks even more pleasantly surprised. Cheryl pandang Madam Hab, then back at the guy. No, no, no, no!
"Wow. I take it you're the one who set up all this?"
"Correct, madam"
"What's your name, young lad?"
Name? She didn't ask for her name pun earlier.
"Yang. James Yang"
"Well, I believe you're going to enjoy your next 4 years here, Yang"
"3 years", Yang corrected, which caught even Madam Hab off-guard.
"UNIM Fast Track?", Madam Hab grinned. "We'll see"
As the situation went silent, finally Madam Hab realized Cheryl's presence there. Cheryl smiled politely.
"Well, aren't you gonna help me set all this up?", her voice turned stern.
"Oh, right, right".
By 8.30, Madam Hab had already finished teaching one topic. Yes, she's the velocity-type lecturer. This is the type of speed that usually suits her. But somehow...the words doesn't seem to stick. Shit. Is she getting braindead?
Cheryl shook her head and looked around. The hall was full of students, all of which seems eager to listen and take notes. How? Cheryl was even more mad to see that guy, Yang, always making eye contact with Madam Hab. She'd ask him questions, and he'll always reply correctly. It should've been her. Madam Hab pulak tengah senyum2 sendiri. Almost bangga, even. She stopped the lesson for a while.
"Class, I'm sorry for jumping straight into the first topic, but now that we've got it out of the way, I'd like to welcome all of you to Polimer. Many would say that this college is worthless. But my advice? This is the only place where you can be the best version of yourself. I am truly, truly happy to see all your fresh faces who are eager to learn here. It makes me-"
Suddenly, the door opened wide.
"Gooood morning, juniors!", Zim kicked the door.
"Dey! Don't shout! It's Madam Hab la!", Tony shouted.
"Chill la. Kamal said she's always in a good mood on the first day of school?", Irene tried to calm things down.
"I also told you to not say that out loud, in front of her", Kamal was annoyed by Irene.
"Guys! Where's your manners?", Renai bowed 90 degrees in front of Madam Hab. "Good morning, Madam Hab. We're sorry we're late. Oi, bow down la!"
Madam Hab sighed heavily, Super, super heavily. It's this group of ragtag again.
"Wow. You guys again. What kind of luck did I have to teach you Introduction to English Literature three years in a row?"
"Blame it on the shooting star, Madam. We all wished pretty hard that time", Zim quipped back.
"Really? Which one of you wished for the meteor to hit the school roof?", Madam Hab menganjing.
"Ooh, ooh! Me!", Tony terlompat-lompat.
Wasted. Madam Hab totally gave up on them. "Just go take your places"
The Pack nodded politely and terus went allllll the way back of the class, joining the soloist Cheryl.
"Yo, scootch over", Irene sat right next to Cheryl.
Honestly, Cheryl left the seats alone for a reason. To be alone. But now, the ragtag personification of noise pollution were keen to join her. Wow. What a day.
"Hey, wait a minute. I never seen you before! Are you new here?", Irene asked, in the class where only 5 of them were seniors.
"Yes"
"Cool! So, this is your first experience with a lecturer?"
"Yes"
" I'mma drop some pro tips for your orientation week, alright?", she adjusted herself, facing more directly towards Cheryl. "Firstly, lecturers? Don't fear them. They're just like Dora the Explorer. They'll ask us questions, stare blankly at us for a few seconds, then answer their own questions", Irene chuckled.
Cheryl just smiled awkwardly.
"Don't believe me? Watch"
Irene mengajak Cheryl to watch the gelagat of the ever-passionate Madam Hab.
"'Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them'. Now anyone can tell me which famous literary tokoh quoted this?", Madam Hab then stood there silently. "William Shakespeare"
Irene turned to Cheryl, all excited. "See?"
