Episode 2

As we stepped onto campus, the brisk morning air hit me, jolting me slightly awake. Students were milling about, their chatter and laughter blending into a familiar hum that felt both comforting and alien at the same time.

Jenna tugged on my arm, pulling me toward the main building. "Hurry up, Alexis! We need to check where our first class is."

"Why are you so excited?" I groaned, dodging a group of giggling freshmen. "First day back is always a drag."

I trudged along behind Jenna, my feet feeling heavy as we made our way across the bustling quad. The brisk autumn air nipped at my cheeks, a stark reminder that summer was well and truly over.

When we reached the bulletin board, Jenna leaned in, scanning the list with laser focus. I leaned casually against the wall, glancing at the crowd around us.

Just a few meters away, a group of sorority sisters chattered loudly, their laughter piercing the crisp morning air. I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy; their enthusiasm was both endearing and infuriating.

Jenna was still diligently studying the bulletin board, her lips moving as she read the class schedule. I groaned silently, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

I glanced over at Jenna as she studied the schedule intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. I couldn't help but smirk slightly at her dedication, even if I didn't share her enthusiasm.

"There it is," Jenna said suddenly, pointing at a line on the schedule. "Our first class is in room 205 of the main building, at 9 o'clock sharp."

She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with renewed energy. "Come on, let's go! We have to hurry if we want to get good seats."

I rolled my eyes but pushed off the wall, falling into step beside her as we navigated the crowded hallway. Students jostled past us, their arms laden with heavy backpacks and textbooks.

As we climbed the stairs to the second floor, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The semester was starting, and with it, the pressure to perform, to excel, to prove myself worthy of the hefty tuition my parents paid.

Jenna seemed oblivious to my apprehension, her steps light and eager as she led the way to room 205. She pushed open the door, revealing a classroom filled with rows of desks and a whiteboard at the front.

"Looks like we're the first ones here," Jenna said, grinning as she chose a desk near the window. She tossed her bag onto the chair and plopped down, crossing her legs and leaning back casually.

I followed suit, taking the desk next to hers. As I sat down, I couldn't help but let out a sigh, the weight of the semester already feeling heavy on my shoulders.

As we settled into our seats, the classroom slowly began to fill with students, all of them eager to kick off the semester. I tried to shake off the lingering feeling of dread, focusing on the dull murmur of conversations around me. Despite my best efforts to avoid it, the pressure of the upcoming classes crept in like a shadow, hanging just over my head.

Jenna, however, seemed unfazed. She was chatting animatedly with the student next to her, her infectious energy making me feel like an outsider in my own skin. I tried to smile politely, but my mind kept drifting back to the long to-do list already forming in my head.

The professor finally walked in, a tall, older man with a thick accent and a no-nonsense air. He introduced himself, briefly outlining what the course would cover before handing out the syllabus. "You’ll all have plenty of time to get used to the pace," he said with a dry smile. "But make no mistake—this semester will be challenging. Get used to the workload."

As he spoke, my thoughts started to wander again, my gaze drifting to the clock on the wall. All I could think about was how much more comfortable I would feel curled up in bed with a book or maybe playing games with friends, anything other than diving headfirst into the pressures of the semester.

But there was no turning back now. The reality of being a second-year college student had finally hit, and I had to face it head-on. Just as I was sinking deeper into my thoughts, Jenna nudged me with her elbow, snapping me out of my trance.

"Hey, just one more class after this, then we’re free!" she whispered, flashing me a grin. I managed a weak smile in return, though the weight of the semester still lingered in the back of my mind.

I glanced at the clock again. Only a few more hours to go. I could handle that. Maybe the next subject would be easier to get through.

Suddenly, the professor cleared his throat, and all attention in the room snapped back to him. He gave a small, almost sympathetic smile, as if he could sense the exhaustion that hung over the class like a thick fog.

"I know the first day back after summer can be tough," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "But I'd like to start class with a small ice-breaker exercise. Why don't each of you introduce yourselves and share one fun fact about your summer?"

The professor smiled warmly as he addressed the class. "So, let's start, shall we? We'll do this in the order of the seats."

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone braced themselves for the awkward introductions. I could already feel my stomach twisting in knots. I hated being put on the spot, especially when I wasn’t prepared for it.

Jenna nudged me again, her excitement almost palpable. "Come on, you’ve got this!" she whispered, her wide grin making me feel even more self-conscious.

One by one, students began to stand and introduce themselves. The first student went confidently, sharing a fun fact about a trip to the beach over the summer. The next talked about a cooking class they took. As they spoke, I could feel the dread building up, and I found myself gripping the edge of my desk a little tighter.

When it finally came to my turn, I stood up, trying to ignore the eyes that were now on me. "Uh, hi, I'm Alexis," I began, my voice coming out slightly shaky. "For my summer, I mostly spent it catching up on sleep..." I cleared my throat awkwardly. "And, uh, I got a new car."

I could feel a few pairs of eyes on me as I sat down quickly, relieved it was over. My palms were sweaty, and I couldn’t help but wish I could just disappear for a moment.

The next student introduced themselves with a bright smile, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief. It wasn’t as bad as I had made it out to be, but I still felt exposed, like I had just given away a little too much about myself in a room full of strangers.

Jenna, on the other hand, seemed to be thriving. She was chatting with the people around her, exchanging summer stories with ease. I tried to focus on her energy, but it was hard to ignore the quiet buzzing in my head.

The professor continued the introductions, and I let my thoughts drift a little. I had one more class to get through, then the day would be done. Maybe I’d be able to relax afterward—if the mountain of work waiting for me didn’t drive me crazy first.

As the ice-breaker exercise continued, I tried to center myself, reminding myself that this was just one of many days to come. One step at a time.

:))

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