Royally Falling

~ 04 ~

"It's your freshman year
And you're gonna be here for the next four years
In this town
Hoping one of those senior boys
Will wink at you and say, 'you know I haven't seen you around, before'"
Fifteen (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

oOoOo

I wake up early enough on Wednesday morning to cook scrambled eggs for breakfast. There's also enough time for me to carefully plan out my outfit for the first day of classes. After much deliberation, I settle on wearing a flowy shirt, ripped jeans, and my white converse.

My first class, European History 101, isn't until 9 o'clock, so Blair and I have ample time to arrive on campus. Since the class is an entry-level class primarily for freshmen, Blair couldn't take it. She has to resort to hanging out on one of the benches right outside of the classroom, pretending to do homework. I looked over the class syllabus online last night and European History 101 seems to be relatively easy. My schooling in Amaria heavily focused on history, since it is important to obtain a deep understanding of the past as a ruler. Therefore, I already know most of the material that will be covered in class, and it'll virtually be a review for me.

Thirty minutes before my class is scheduled to start, Blair and I leave the penthouse and get in the car. She parks the car and we walk side-by-side to the building my class is in.

As we approach my classroom, A204, I spot a bench that provides a perfect view of the classroom and suggest it to her.

"Okay, I think I'll just hang out around here," she gestures.

I give a nod and thumbs up before heading inside.

oOoOo

As I walk into the room five minutes before class, I notice that there are about twenty other students here already. Everyone is either on their computer or phone. A few of them look up as I open the door and watch me come in. I instinctively take an unoccupied seat in the middle of the room on the left side that is close to the door. It's been ingrained in my mind for years to always sit nearby a possible exit in an unknown environment; I now do so without a second thought.

Over the next few minutes, a few more students file in and the professor arrives. He is a middle-aged, balding, stocky man. I observe as he sets his bag down by the desk and turns around to write European History 101 on the whiteboard, along with Professor Rawlings.

I internally sigh in relief as I realize I am in the correct room. It would be so embarrassing if this weren't the right classroom.

"Hello class, I am Professor Rawlings and I will be teaching European History 101 this semester," he starts."If you aren't in the correct class, I advise you to leave presently instead of sitting through the next ninety minutes of this lecture."

Looking around, everyone is still seated. "Seems like everyone made it to the right place," he comments. "I will take attendance now. Please say 'here' when I call your name."

When he is partially down the list, the door flies open and a disheveled looking Kaden enters the room. I notice his hair is unkempt and his clothes are all wrinkled. His eyes light up as he recognizes me and heads towards the vacant seat directly to my right.

"Rough night?" I quietly tease as he sits down.

"No, I just overslept," he responds with a yawn. I should have guessed. It looks like he just rolled out of bed.

"Latecomer, what's your name?" Professor Rawlings calls out.

"Kaden Bianchi, sir."

"Okay, Mr. Bianchi, I do not tolerate tardiness. Next time, I advise you to arrive on time. I will not be so kind and allow you to come barging in," he glances at his watch, "ten minutes late next time."