Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
As the professor entered the classroom, an expectant hush enveloped the room. Students shuffled into their seats, the familiar sounds of rustling bags and muted conversations punctuating the air.
I glanced at the empty seat beside me, a stark reminder of my solitude. Since our first day, no one had chosen to sit next to me—perhaps they thought I was a creep or simply unapproachable.
Everything felt the same as always. The professor stood at the front, dressed in his customary formal attire, complete with glasses perched on his nose and a neatly knotted necktie.
"Today, class, I will be introducing a new student who has transferred from a faraway country. Her family moved here two weeks ago, and you might have already seen her yesterday," the professor announced, his voice slicing through my thoughts.
A ripple of curiosity spread through the classroom, heads turning as students whispered among themselves, speculating about the new arrival. I felt a flicker of anticipation.
While my classmates leaned forward, eager to catch a glimpse of the newcomer, I found my gaze drifting to the window, lost in my own thoughts.
"A new classmate, huh? Just another person I'll never interact with," I mused to myself.
But then, a slow realization crept over me.
"No way... Is it?" I thought, my eyes widening as I turned to the door.
That's when she walked into the classroom.
With her short, curly brown hair framing her bright smile and light brown eyes that sparkled with warmth, she radiated an air of mystery.
It was clear she wasn't from around here; the uniform fit her perfectly, accentuating her mature figure despite our shared age.
Sunlight filtered through the windows, spotlighting her as she entered, drawing everyone's attention.
The other students began whispering even louder, their excitement palpable.
"Woah!"
"Who is she?"
"Where is she from?"
they murmured, their adoration evident.
"S-Samantha?"
I blurted out, almost instinctively.
My voice echoed in the sudden silence, drawing all eyes toward me.
And she saw me.
"Jonah?!"
Her eyes brightened. "So we're in the same class!" she exclaimed, her voice warm and inviting.
My face flushed as I looked down at the table, the sudden attention making me feel exposed.
The class's curiosity intensified after our exchange.
"What?! You know each other?!" the boys at the back shouted, but their excitement was instantly silenced by the professor's stern gaze.
Samantha smiled at the class. "Good morning, everyone! I'm Samantha Rossi.
My family and I just moved to this country two weeks ago, and this is my second day at this school.
Please take care of me!"
The classroom erupted in cheers, the noise overwhelming, but all I could do was watch her smile, feeling a mix of admiration and anxiety.
The professor gestured for her to find a seat, and she chose the one right next to mine. I could feel the boys' gazes piercing the back of my head, their envy palpable.
This is dangerous, I thought, an uneasy knot forming in my stomach.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
As class ended and it was time for lunch, Samantha and I stood up, but before I could say anything, other students surrounded her, bombarding her with questions, while the boys showed their admiration in exaggerated gestures.
Feeling overwhelmed, I quickly slipped away from the crowd and headed outside the classroom, telling myself, She's in good hands now. She won't be alone anymore.
I made my way to the cafeteria, where the noise of laughter and chatter filled the halls.
As I walked, my mind raced with thoughts. I couldn't shake the surreal feeling that this was all happening too fast. Was this really my reality, or was I still dreaming?
Every interaction we had felt laced with both familiarity and strangeness, as if I were trapped in a dream where everything was just a little too perfect.
The cafeteria buzzed with energy, tables packed with circles of friends laughing and chatting, the air filled with the enticing smell of pizza and fries.
I quickly bought my usual meal—a plain cheeseburger and fries.
I made my way to my favorite spot: the steps leading to the gym. It was my little refuge, a sanctuary away from the chaos of the cafeteria.
The gentle breeze always seemed to find its way here, rustling the leaves overhead and creating a serene atmosphere. The dappled shade from the trees above added to the tranquility, making this place feel like a hidden oasis. I was grateful to have discovered it.
As I ate, I felt a wave of melancholy wash over me. Why was I feeling this way? Watching everyone open up to her so quickly stirred something inside me—an emotion I couldn't quite identify. What was this feeling?
Lost in thought, I suddenly felt someone bump my head with a juice box. I turned around to find Samantha standing there, a playful grin on her face.
"So this is where you were! You suddenly left me in the classroom!" she exclaimed, pouting adorably.
Cute.
"How did you find me?" I asked.
"You weren't at the table we ate at yesterday, so I started asking our classmates where you were. They said you usually eat here, so I found you," she said, her expression shifting to one of concern.
I see.
"Are you okay? You looked like you were deep in thought while you were eating," she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern.
"Yeah, that's just what I usually do when I eat here," I replied, trying to assure her that everything was alright.
"I-I see," she said, scratching her cheeks with her index fingers, a hint of shyness in her demeanor.
"That was exhausting. I'm glad everyone was friendly, but it was just too much for me," she admitted, a hint of tiredness in her voice.
"Well, it does seem nice to eat in a place like this—quiet, and the breeze is perfect," she added, glancing around.
"It really is. I also read novels here when there's free time," I replied.
"Woah! Really??" Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
A smile spread across my face as the gentle breeze brushed against my skin, bringing with it the sounds of laughter and chatter. Students wandered by, each engrossed in their own conversations, a blur of life and energy around us.
In this tranquil moment shared with her, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. I wished it could last forever, this serene bubble away from the chaos.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
YOU ARE READING
Timeless Regrets.
Roman d'amourA young, silent college student accustomed to his predictable routine encounters a girl from another country, whose vibrant spirit shakes him from his self-imposed isolation. As their friendship blossoms, he is forced to confront the regrets and pai...
