𝐏𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄 •ﻌ• [ᴄʜᴇɴᴊɪ]

5: ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴅᴀʏ ᴊɪᴛᴛᴇʀꜱ

Chenle's first day at university had finally arrived. He'd managed only a few hours of fitful sleep, the result of an agonizing search for his missing plushie and a restless night. Despite his exhaustion, he knew he needed to make a good impression on his first day.

Dressed in a casual hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, Chenle tried to look relaxed despite feeling anything but. He ran a hand through his tousled hair and sighed as he glanced in the mirror. ❝Alright, Chenle, you can do this,❞ he muttered to himself, trying to muster some confidence.

He grabbed his backpack, now filled with the essentials for his first day, and headed out the door. The campus was bustling with students, the air filled with the hum of conversations and the clatter of footsteps on pavement. Chenle followed the signs to the lecture hall, his nerves kicking into high gear as he approached the large building.

The lecture hall was a vast space, filled with rows of seats arranged in a semi-circle. Students were already settling in, chatting animatedly as they prepared for the day ahead. Chenle scanned the room, feeling a twinge of anxiety as he searched for familiar faces.

When he spotted Jisung, Mark, Haechan, Jeno, and Jaemin, his heart lifted slightly. They had been friendly at the welcome event, and their presence was a welcome sight. Chenle made his way over to Jisung, who was seated in the middle row.

❝Hey, Chenle!❞ Jisung greeted, waving him over. ❝Come sit here!❞

Chenle took the seat next to Jisung, placing his backpack on the floor. Renjun, who was seated on the other side of Jisung, looked up from his notes and smiled.

❝Good morning, Chenle,❞ Renjun said warmly. ❝How's it going?❞

❝Morning,❞ Chenle replied, trying to sound upbeat despite his tiredness. ❝I'm doing okay. Just a bit tired.❞

Jisung's keen eyes noticed the dark circles under Chenle's eyes. ❝You look like you haven't slept properly. Are you nervous about today?❞

Chenle hesitated for a moment, not wanting to delve into the real reason behind his lack of sleep. He forced a smile and nodded. ❝Just a little. It's my first day, so it's normal to be a bit anxious.❞

Renjun, listening intently, offered a reassuring nod. ❝First days can be overwhelming. But you'll get the hang of it soon.❞

Before Chenle could respond further, the professor entered the room. She was a middle-aged woman with a kind demeanor, her presence commanding respect. She moved to the front of the room and organized her materials as the students quieted down.

❝Welcome, everyone,❞ the professor began, her voice warm and welcoming. ❝Before we start, let's take a moment to get to know each other. Chenle, our new student, why don't you introduce yourself first?❞

Chenle felt a rush of nervousness as he stood up. The room fell silent, and all eyes were on him. He took a deep breath and spoke. ❝Hi, I'm Chenle. I'm from China, and I'm majoring in music composition. I'm really excited to be here and to start this course.❞

A few students nodded and smiled, and Chenle felt a bit more at ease. He sat back down, catching Jisung's encouraging glance and Renjun's supportive smile.

The professor began her introduction to the course, outlining the syllabus and explaining what students could expect. Chenle focused on the lecture, taking notes and trying to push his fatigue to the back of his mind.

✧˖°.𖹭🧸

During the break, Jisung leaned closer to Chenle. ❝So, how are you holding up? You still look pretty worn out.❞

Chenle managed a weary smile. ❝Yeah, I didn't sleep too well last night. Just the usual first-day nerves.❞

Renjun, who had been listening, chimed in with a supportive tone. ❝If you need anything or just want to talk about it, we're here for you.❞

❝Thanks, Renjun,❞ Chenle said, feeling a genuine sense of relief. ❝I really appreciate it.❞

As the class continued, Chenle found himself slowly becoming more engaged. The professor's teaching style was engaging, and the structure of the lecture provided a welcome distraction from his earlier discomfort.

The session ended, and students began to gather their things. Chenle felt a mix of relief and accomplishment. The day had been challenging, but he had managed to navigate it despite his tiredness.

Jisung, Renjun, and the rest of the group gathered near the door, chatting about the class. Chenle joined them, feeling more integrated and less anxious.

❝Want to grab some coffee before heading home?❞ Jisung suggested with a friendly smile.

❝Definitely,❞ Chenle agreed, feeling a bit more energized. ❝I could use a coffee.❞

✧˖°.𖹭🧸

The group made their way to a nearby café on campus. The café was cozy and warm, with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Chenle settled into a booth with his friends, feeling the weight of the day's stress lift slightly.

As they sipped their drinks and chatted about their classes, Chenle felt a renewed sense of optimism. The first day had been tough, but with friends like these, he felt more confident about the future. The camaraderie and support from his new classmates were helping him adjust to his new environment.

❝Thanks for hanging out today,❞ Chenle said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. ❝It really made the first day easier.❞

❝You don't need to thank us,❞ Renjun said with a friendly grin. ❝We're friends now.❞

Jisung nodded in agreement. ❝Yeah, and we'll always be here to support you throughout the semester.❞

⸻🧸
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