I stumble into the science building, dreading learning about cells again.“It’s a requirement, remember that it’s required” I softly whispered to myself. 

The entrance is illuminated only by the few grim covered windows. The floor is a patchwork of different tiles, as if the building was half renovated. It wasn’t aesthetic in my book, it oozed creepy and made my whole situation worse. I followed the numbered doors to my classroom. 

I quickly approached the doorway, making the voices grow louder inside the room. Once I stepped into the light shining through the door, I was met with a few students and one odd looking Professor.  

He was clearly older than sixty but his energy conveyed a sense of internal youth. His eyes were a dark forest green swirling with energy and amusement. He was quite short and used a beautifully carved wooden cane to move freely. The students around him seemed genuinely interested in his pre-class discussion and listened eagerly. The strangest part of this whole situation is that as soon as I approached him, his eyes instantly met mine.

“Well hello Clover! Welcome to biology, I’m so excited to have you here. Take a seat, take a seat,” he shooed me into a desk at the front with a huge smile. How does he know my name?

“Hello”, I answered softly, hoping that his interest in me would fade and would continue to talk to the other students. Everyone was staring at me, however their eyes weren’t judgy, just amused. 

“My name is Professor Evens” he stuck out his hand for me to shake. I grasped it firmly, suddenly feeling an energy wave pour through my body. It was like a light turned on or a section of my brain that had failed to be explored finally opened its doors. His smile grew even wider as he pulled away, clapping his little hands in excitement. 

“Yes, Yes it is you! In flesh and blood!” He squealed in anticipation. 

All I could get out was “um what”. He shooed me for a second time, saying that I will know sooner than later. He began to conversate with the other students once again. My stomach dropped, what does he mean by it is really me? Did I do something wrong that he found out about? I haven’t been here long enough for there to be gossip about me. I guess people have already figured out that I’m gay. I mean it’s not that hard. I have a lGBTQ+ rights sticker on my computer. But I could be an ally! Let's face it no one would believe that. 

More people filed into the classroom silently. Each person only received a welcoming smile from Professor Evens as they took their seats. Suddenly, the guy from the coffee shop stepped through the door with a goofy smile. I found it hard to hold back my own happy expression while witnessing his brown eyes sparkle. 

“Hello! Hello! Daniel Dunn? if I am correct. It is so nice to meet you.” Mr. Evens cried out. 

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you as well” The guy from this morning responded with slight hesitation. Then he approached Professor Evens with his hand out, welcoming a handshake. 

Daniel’s eyes went wide when their fingers grazed over each other. Mr. Evans looked proudly at the confused student and ushered him to find his place in the first row. He plopped down next to me, slumping into his chair slightly. 

“Here we go, stay calm, stay calm” I repeated over and over in my head. I’m not used to having crushes on people so quickly but something about Daniel makes me feel like a schoolgirl.

The class was very boring and seemed to be never ending. Time was never on my side in life. Whenever I am in a situation that I need time to fly by it always ends up dragging on forever. I am very aware of every move Daniel is making next to me. I can tell that he is staring at me intently but I’m choosing to focus on everything but that. 

After class ended I made a beeline to the door in hopes to remove myself from the awkward situation as quickly as possible. On the sidewalk heading to my dorm I contemplated the last hour of my existence and how I ever found myself there. 

How did the professor know me? Why was Daniel looking at me strangely? Did we know each other? Oh no ahh he must have noticed my failed wave this morning and was confused on how I ever managed to show my face again in society. He probably expected me to be halfway to Panama by now.

I fell back into my bed with a heavy thunk. My head was spinning with questions and my eyes started to burn. I closed myself up into a ball and started to daydream about moving to the outskirts of the city into a small cottage with a huge flower garden. Then I drifted into a noiseless sleep.