THE COLLEGE NERD » kth

18. You deserve better

It was another day, and I found myself sitting alone on the bench in the classroom. The room was eerily silent, with no one else having arrived yet. I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. My energy was completely drained, and I sighed once again, hoping to muster some strength for the day ahead.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and in walked Mr. Joker. He was a peculiar character, always keeping to himself and rarely engaging with others. Today, he moved quietly towards his bench, his presence barely noticeable. I watched him for a moment, contemplating whether to approach him or not. Despite my fatigue, I decided to make an effort.

I got up and walked towards him. As I neared, he looked up and asked, "Wait- where are you going?" His tone was a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

I squinted my eyebrows and replied with a smirk, "Of course, sitting beside you. Do you have a problem? Remember, the teacher asked you to socialize with everyone?"

For a moment, he seemed speechless. He removed his hand from the bench and sat down comfortably, putting on his headphones and closing his eyes, clearly trying to avoid me. I couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated. This guy always made me feel like I was stalking him, even though all I wanted was to sit beside him.

I sighed again, feeling a mix of irritation and resignation. "So? You wanna ignore me? Fine. I'll show you what ignorance is!" I thought to myself. With that, I got up from his bench and moved to the last bench in the classroom. I didn't have the energy to study today, and I just wanted to rest.

As I sat quietly, the other students began to trickle in. The classroom slowly filled with chatter and movement. Among them was Felix, my ex-boyfriend. He approached me with his usual charm.

"Hey darling," he greeted me with a smile.

"Felix, give me my private space, please. Just go away. I am not in a mood," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Fine, I'll not force you," he sighed. "Remember, the gate is always open. You can come to me anytime," he added with a wink before walking away.

The classroom was now bustling with students, and the professor entered, ready to start the lecture. He scanned the room and noticed my absence from my usual spot.

"Song Yn! Why are you in the back of the class?" he called out.

"Actually, sir, today I don't feel good, but I want to attend all the classes. So, I want to rest my head back against the wall and study," I explained.

He nodded, understanding my situation. He was a strict person but kind to me because I was an attentive student. I settled back into my seat, trying to focus on the lecture.

Just then, a familiar face appeared at the door. It was a new student, looking slightly disheveled and out of breath.

"May I come in, sir?" he asked.

"Why are you so late? And your name, mister?" the professor inquired.

"I'm the new guy in this college who skipped the first day because I had a fever! I'm Alex!" he said, still huffing from what seemed like a long run.

"Since it's your first day in class, I'm letting you go. Go sit beside YN. There is no space left except there," the professor instructed.

Alex nodded and headed towards me. As he approached, he smiled, recognizing me. "Ah, YN, you? The canteen girl?"

"Ah, yes, yes. Nice to meet you, Alex!" I smiled back, feeling a bit of relief at seeing a familiar face.

As Alex settled into the seat beside YN, he couldn't help but notice her tired expression. He decided to break the ice with a light-hearted comment.

Alex: "So, YN, do you always sit at the back of the class, or is today a special occasion?"

YN chuckled, appreciating his attempt to lighten the mood.

YN: "Only on days when I'm too tired to deal with the front row drama. Plus, it's a great spot to avoid unwanted attention."

Alex grinned, leaning in slightly.

Alex: "Ah, the classic backbench strategy. I see you're a seasoned pro at this."

YN: "You could say that. But what about you? Skipping the first day because of a fever? Sounds like a convenient excuse to me."

Alex feigned a look of shock.

Alex: "Hey, I was genuinely sick! You can ask my doctor. Besides, I heard the first day is just introductions and boring stuff."

YN: "True, but you missed out on the professor's epic speech about punctuality and dedication. It was... inspiring."

Alex: "I'll take your word for it. So, what's the deal with Mr. Joker over there? He seems... interesting."

YN glanced over at Mr. Joker, who was still lost in his own world with his headphones on.

YN: "Oh, him? He's a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Likes to keep to himself and avoid social interactions. Kind of like a modern-day hermit."

Alex: "Sounds like a challenge. Maybe I'll try to crack his shell one day."

YN: "Good luck with that. I've been trying for months with no success. He might just be uncrackable."

Alex: "Challenge accepted. But for now, let's focus on surviving this lecture. Any tips for a newbie like me?"

YN: "Stay awake, take notes, and try not to fall asleep. The professor has a sixth sense for detecting dozing students."

Alex: "Noted. And if I doze off, I'll count on you to nudge me awake."

YN: "Deal. But you owe me a coffee if I have to save you from the professor's wrath."

Alex: "Fair trade. By the way, what's your favorite coffee? I need to know what I'm getting myself into."

YN: "Iced caramel macchiato. And don't skimp on the caramel."

Alex: "Got it. Iced caramel macchiato with extra caramel. You're a woman of refined taste."

YN : "Flattery will get you everywhere, Alex."

He chuckled.

As the class continued, we whispered to each other and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was strangely familiar about him. I felt an inexplicable sense of safety and comfort, as if I'd known him before, perhaps from a past life?

- to be continued