Reaching for the Stars

Chapter 01: Introduction to Public Relations

(Revised 02/08/2022)

Another semester in college, another half year to ponder what was the meaning of life.

Tom nearly dragged his feet as he walked in the hallway. He wasn't being lazy; heck, he was so looking forward to this semester's subjects. He could finally have some action! But he was finishing his essay last night, and what he thought would be just one or two hours of clanking away turned out to be almost five.

Having a class at 8 didn't help him at all. He didn't have time to get a cup of tea.

"Hey, loup fou!" Someone tackled him from behind. He nearly fell forward. "I see the vacations haven't killed you."

"Mart, the heck!"

"We have French this semester! I'm gonna ace all the marks!"

He turned around, his tail wagging in mild annoyance. "Mart, you're French. You don't get French class."

"Exactement, mon pote!" Martin puffed his chest proudly. Tom only gave him a weak punch. The wolf took his fallen bag and walked beside the fox. "If you don't beat my French class final exam score, it'd be a disgrace, wouldn't it?" He said, flicking the fox's ear and earning a yelp. "Don't get yourself behind me."

"As if." Martin laughed and put his hands behind his head.

Tom chuckled. "That reminds me, though. We also have German this semester."

"Don't remind me." Martin groaned. "I hate German."

Tom bumped him. "Heh, ready to be at the bottom of the class?"

"Tch, peu importe."

They opened the door to their class. It was nearly eight, yet there were only a handful of students in the class. Tom looked around as he opened his jacket and put it on the hanger beside the door, he didn't recognise anyone. There were only new additions. "Remind me to make a note about the subjects we have this semester."

"Remind me to remind you to do that."

"Yeah sure." They sat down on the available seats. Tom took his textbook out from his bag and opened it, re-reading it to pass the time.

The lecturer arrived not long after. The class immediately went quiet as the deer went inside and prepared the class. Tom glanced at the clock; the class would start soon yet he could count the available students with his hands.

Martin's muffled yawn was audible in the room.

"Good morning, students." The lecturer started and everyone absent-mindedly answered. "I'm your lecturer for Introduction to Public Relations. I'm going to punch the hell out of your mind about PR."

The students all groaned.

"I know, I know. It's not going to be as bad as you think." He chuckled. "While we wait for the remaining students to arrive, open your textbook to the first chapter. We're going to talk about what PR is. Looks like the class will begin at 08.30."

Putting his book aside for now, he opened WhatsUp on his laptop. He opened the class group chat to find that most of his friends are still on the way, even some had just woken up. He chuckled and typed "the lecturer's arrived. the late ones will be punished".

He muffled his laugh when he saw his friends replied 'WAT'.

Several minutes passed and he was deep in his textbook, not noticing the other students coming. His tail wagged, and Martin flicked it off when it brushed his hand. This subject might not be his favourite, but this was an important one if he wanted to graduate. His previous lecturers said before, this is the most crucial subject in Public Relations, as it forms the basis for the next concentration subjects.