Twin Fate: Sun and Moon

Chapter 4 - First Day

After getting ready, Alex and I headed towards the car. It was my turn to drive today, so I slid into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors and seatbelt with practiced ease. Alex was busy stowing his bag in the back and then opening the garage door. As I shifted into reverse, he locked the garage door and climbed into the passenger seat. The hum of the engine filled the silence as we began our short journey to college.

The early morning haze was quickly dispelled by my focus on the road. The rhythmic thrum of the tires on asphalt cleared the lingering drowsiness from my mind. The drive felt unexpectedly brief, even though the time seemed to stretch endlessly. We arrived much earlier than anticipated.

We decided to grab coffee at a café conveniently nestled next to the college. The café had a rustic charm, much like the rest of the city, but it was a comfortable kind of rustic. We chose a table farthest from the door, where I could already feel the curious gazes of students who had arrived before us, possibly part of their own well-worn routines.

The waitress was prompt, a rare luxury given the usual crowded cafés back home. "Two espressos, thank you," I ordered. Her glance lingered a moment longer than necessary; our accent was noticeably different despite our months of Swedish practice. The coffie followed soon after.

Alex, reading my mind, remarked, "Weird that it's hot. Not used to that back in Texas." Our conversation continued in English, drawing a few more glances.

The coffee, though scalding, was a welcome change. It didn't linger long enough for us to fully settle, and soon we were back on our feet, heading towards the college."What's first? Just to make sure my timetable is the same," Alex asked, his voice tinged with the familiar frustration of his least favorite subject.

"Math, your favorite," I replied with a smirk. Alex loathed math, despite his undeniable aptitude for it. His true passion lay in science, particularly now that we were officially first-year students of Quantum Physics. We weren't nerds; we were just exceptionally bright."It says here it's in Amphitheater 126," Alex said, checking his notes."Yep," I confirmed, "Building S3."

We made our way to the old, medium-sized building marked with a faded S3. The sign in front, reading "Swedish College of Quantum Physics," was as quaint as the rest of the town's architecture—red bricks and darkened cement, with uniformly sized windows. The building's age only added to its unique beauty.

Inside, the décor mirrored the exterior's antiquated charm. The walls were reminiscent of a bygone era, possibly an old factory. A logo—two crossed swords behind a solar atom model—adorned one wall, with "S.C.Q.P" written beneath it. Across from the logo, a map directed us to the next floor and then two corridors to the left.

Students moved about with a carefree air, their eclectic styles and attitudes a stark contrast to the uniformity of the building. As new faces nearly a month into the semester, we drew a few extra glances.

We eventually located the classroom—a modest amphitheater with a podium set for the professor. "Three minutes till it starts. Is this all the students?" Alex asked, surveying the room.There were only about twenty or thirty of us, a surprisingly intimate setting.

"Charms of a small town," I remarked as we found seats a respectful distance from the professor.A moment later, a middle-aged man with a slightly disheveled appearance entered, closing the doors behind him. The ambient noise from outside immediately fell silent."Good morning," he greeted, his voice carrying an air of authority. "Now, before we begin, I was informed we have two new students."Alex and I exchanged a glance before standing up. The professor's eyes locked onto us with a chuckle.

"Here we are," he said, his gaze settling on us. "I'm Professor Hindrik Marklund, though you can call me Professor Marklund for short. You must be Alex..." He hesitated, "Jordun, sorry ehh, Jordan—Fieldsworth?" I nodded, and Alex responded with a murmured "yes" in Swedish."Great. I'll keep it simple," he continued, his tone surprisingly casual. "In my class, you can talk, but keep it down or you'll be shown the door. Listen or don't listen, I don't care, just don't complain if you fail the tests." He finished with a grin and settled at his desk, booting up his laptop.

"I like him," Alex remarked, clearly pleased. Given his knack for acing classes without much effort, this professor's laid-back approach was just the ticket.