Dear Chaser

Chapter 1: Boring Class

Hello everyone, my name is Lisa Everhart.

I'm 18 years old and I'm a freshman at Barnard College.

It's been 2 weeks since I started my spring semester juggling with 4 classes and it's definitely harder than last fall.

I could never imagine the pace of classes moving this fast, especially Physics with Calculus!

Still struggling to get myself up early in the morning since attendance is mandatory and the lecture starts at 8:30!

As Lisa was lying in bed sleepy, her phone alarm rang at 7 am. She groggily reached for her phone to turn off the alarm. Rubbing her eyes, she quickly realized that she needed to shake off her drowsiness and start her day. As she sat up, she glanced at the clock and confirmed that it was indeed 7 am.

"Sh*t... I wish I could sleep for more. Time passed too fast!" she muttered, pulling herself out of bed.

Reluctantly, she forced herself to get ready, knowing she couldn't afford to be late for her 8:30 a.m. Physics with Calculus class. After a quick shower and a brief battle with her morning routine, Lisa dressed in her usual comfortable clothes and made her way to the kitchen. There, she prepared a simple breakfast: oatmeal topped with bananas and strawberries. The morning chill nipped at her as she headed out, locking her apartment door behind her.

The bus, which usually took about 15 minutes to reach campus, was already waiting when Lisa arrived at the stop. She hurriedly showed her student ID to the driver and took a seat, mentally preparing for the day ahead.

As she arrived at the physics building, Lisa noticed she was always among the first to reach the classroom, often finding herself alone until the rest of the students and the professor arrived. She took advantage of this quiet time to review her notes from previous classes, but her concentration was frequently broken.

Lisa waited for a couple more minutes until a few more students arrived. They each found a seat to sit and some even sat together or next to Lisa. Until someone eye-catching walked in. It was a guy having silky full dirty blonde hair and warm bright hazel blue eyes. This time, he was wearing a fury brown wool jacket and black jeans with light blue Nike shoes while last time she saw him, he was wearing a short-sleeved red shirt and gray cargo pants. His name was Jake Walsh. Of course, he came in at the same time as some of his guy friends and followed them as they sat down at a table far down from her right. It didn't take long for the male professor to arrive in class after more students came in. As soon as he walked in, he started the lecture immediately by opening up the lecture PowerPoint on the projection screen.

There's this one guy that I couldn't take my mind off.

Yes, it's the guy in the brown jacket with gorgeous golden locks sitting over there.

I literally only came to class to have a good look at him if I didn't want to listen to the professor reading notes from a slide.

I really like to get to know him.

But the thing is...I don't even know anything personal about him. Let alone his name.

Despite the fact, I saw him a couple times during random places on campus.

To be honest, I don't think he'll ever notice someone like me. He probably doesn't know I exist.

In the quiet of the morning classroom, the professor began, a soft, reassuring smile on his face. "Good morning, students," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that seemed to chase away any lingering remnants of sleep. He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "I hope you had a restful night."

He glanced around the room, his gaze settling on a few students who looked less than fully awake. "If not," he continued, "I understand how hard it can be to stay focused. I'll do my best to make today's lesson engaging. Just try to pay close attention to the slides, and we'll get through this together."

Trying to focus on the lecture, Lisa opened her notebook and began jotting down important points from the professor's discussion. However, her attention kept drifting toward Jake and his friends. Lisa continued to concentrate on the lecture, diligently taking notes and working through example problems. Unbeknownst to her, Jake couldn't help but steal glances in her direction. Despite being engaged in a lively conversation with his friends, his attention kept drifting towards her.

Jake, on the other hand, found himself lost in thought. He mused to himself, "Even though I don't know her, it's only natural to be curious." 

He sighed internally, "I wish I could find a way to sit next to her one day. It's a long trek from my dorm to this building, so I'm usually running late."

He observed Lisa from across the room, noting how she always arrived early and appeared so prepared. A small smile played on his lips as he thought, "She must find it rather dull being the first one here. I've always had a soft spot for girls who come to class early and seem so ready for the day."

Lisa's gaze remained fixed on the screen, her boredom deepening with each passing second. She glanced at the clock, wishing desperately for the class to end. Internally, she groaned at the professor's jokes. Every one seemed more nonsensical than the last.

As the professor finally neared the end of his lecture, he prepared to deliver a few last reminders.

"Remember, everyone," he said, his voice cutting through the monotony, "we have a quiz this Wednesday during your discussion periods, and your first exam will be next Monday at 8:30 p.m. in your assigned testing buildings."

Lisa's internal frustration peaked. "Ugh, can he just stop talking? I already know all this! I don't need another pointless reminder."

After the class ended, Lisa's phone buzzed with a series of messages from her boyfriend, Hardin Mallard. His texts seemed to add to her stress. "I missed you baby," "Is everything okay?" and "What are you up to now?" appeared on her screen. She sighed, feeling overwhelmed by Hardin's constant need for reassurance.

Reluctantly, she tapped out a response. "Hey baby, I just got done with class. Sorry for not replying."

Hardin's reply came quickly. "Ok cool... I got worried, honey bunny. I'm already outside waiting for you."

Lisa rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking, "Ugh, he doesn't always have to wait for me! He has classes to focus on too." But she knew she had to hurry and not keep him waiting.

After texting Hardin back, she got up from her desk and swiftly moved out of her seat to head out the physics building. When she got out, Hardin was already standing outside waiting wearing a boring green sweatshirt and beige pants. He wasn't as stylish as Jake is. They greeted each other with a hug and kiss.

Hardin glanced over at Lisa. "How was class, babe? I hate that you have to take this one."

Lisa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Boring to death. But, oh well, it's out of my control. It's a requirement for my major."

Hardin then suggested, "Let's go get something to eat at Pollo Tropical. I'm starving, and you probably are too."

Lisa shook her head gently, her tone light but firm. "Not really, but I'd rather go to Chick-Fil-A." 

Her control freak boyfriend's expression darkened with disapproval. "No way, I can't stand that place. It's just unhealthy junk."

Across the building, Jake watched the scene unfold, his gaze fixed on the couple. An uncomfortable feeling twisted in his gut. The way Hardin seemed to hover over Lisa, the constant attention. It struck Jake as excessive. 

He couldn't help but wonder why Hardin seemed so overly attached. "What normal guy would wait for his girl outside every time after class? It's like he's got trust issues," Jake thought.