Running Hearts

Chapter 3

When I woke up today, I expected to feel a rush of excitement for my new classes. Instead I've got a pit of anxiety in my stomach. I look at myself in the mirror for the last time before picking my bag up and leaving. I've paired my blue buttoned up blouse with my black pants today as a safe option. I had put my hair in a bun first, but I looked like an old woman. So, I've let it down. Hopefully, I look like a law student. I don't even know what law students look like.

Walking into the campus, I check for the final time that the first class I have for today is political science. I have exactly 10 minutes to be there. Yesterday, Nivi gave me a detailed explanation of the campus. However, now that I look at it, every building looks the same. I feel my head spinning.

Wasting no time, I stop the students I see first for directions. I am really bad with directions. I spend about fifteen minutes just asking for directions. "I am so screwed." I mumble to myself as I enter the class ten minutes late. For a person believing in first impression, I can say with utmost surety that this is the worst impression ever. I greet the lecturer and apologize for the lateness.

The teacher looks intently at me. There is a pin drop silence prevailing across the room. I can only hear my loud breaths from running to get here faster.

Just when I think the lecturer hates me, he gives me a small smile. "It's okay. Each year there's at least one student who gets lost on this campus."

I let out a breath I did not know I was holding and take my seat quickly. The professor introduces himself as Mr. Taters.

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The class goes pleasantly well. We just take notes on what we are going to cover this semester and on what we are going to be marked. He warns us, "I have seen many students each year believing they'll sail easily in this course. But trust me, many of them give up midterm"

I know I am not one of those who is going to drop out as easily. Mainly, because I've probably studied too much to be here. Secondly, I will never be able to face my parents after running away for this. I cannot afford to give up.

I have only 2 classes for today. One was already over. The other one is in 1 hour. I have the time to explore around so that I do not embarrass myself for the 2nd time of the day. I see a bench on the yard. I decide to sit down and figure out where to start.

I take a page out from my binder. I try to draw a map of the campus to make it easy on myself. Who am I kidding? This is not my cup of tea. I cannot even draw a block. Moreover, I don't even remember which block is for what. Why don't they name the blocks and put a huge board in front of them? Something like here is Block A and list what they teach. They already spend an enormous amount of money on the infrastructure by the looks of it.

Getting irritated, I kiss my teeth loudly and cross out everything I 'drew'. Instead of finding a solution, I decided to take a fresh breath of air and calm my nerves first. When I look around, I see a guy sitting on the far end of the bench, drawing something on his IPad. I swear it feels like the universe is mocking me.

He seems really good at it, though. Thankfully, he is carefully focused on what he is doing because right now, I'm staring at him. He looks a bit older than me.He has dark hair, not that short but looks smooth and a chiseled face. Granted, I've not seen his face fully, but I can tell. He has a light stubble as if he hasn't shaved recently but does regularly. Most importantly, I can see his biceps flexing as he draws. I wonder what colour his eyes are. I bet they are green. Just when I'm about to look away, I think he feels my gaze upon him and looks up.

He looks directly at me. YES. I've won the bet. They are green. Hazel green. Instead of looking away, I just give him a small smile. I thank heavens when he smiles at me back. If he didn't, I would have dug a hole and buried myself right here.