“What is this nonsense?” Abe looks over the flyer. There was going to be a ‘Welcome to Campus’ party hosted by student council that upcoming Friday and he was required to attend as part of his First Year Student class. The class was a tiny, half credit thing that was just to help new students get used to campus and college life. It felt useless for someone like him, but was a requirement so he couldn’t opt out.

The annoying thing was the assignments. Write a paper on a subject? He’d do that sort of thing in a heartbeat. Pages of mathematical equations? Sign him up. Readings for class? Just point him to the book or document… No, this was a Bingo sheet. He was expected to interact with people during the party and then try to find peers who match the bingo spaces. What kind of childish ice-breaker nonsense was this supposed to be?

Socializing wasn’t actually all that important for his education. He could learn just fine without knowing that someone… he looks at the sheet… ‘had a childhood pet with a commonly human name’. It was just all so pointless for him…

He puts the papers in the proper folder and puts them away before starting to walk to his next class. At least World Religions 101 would be more stimulating and educational. He could really use something more mentally challenging after something that felt so basic and beneath him.

He quickly finds the correct building and room, sitting down in the front row a good ten minutes before the start time. Abe uses the extra time taking out notetaking supplies and organizing them on the table in front of him. When the class is scheduled to start, most of the seats are filled, but no professor is at the front to call the class to order. One minute passes… Two… Three…

Suddenly a short woman rushes in. “Sorry, copier machine was demanding tribute before it would allow me to receive your syllabuses. The ritual took longer than usual and all that…” She smiles and turns to properly face the students. “So, World Religions. Who’s ready to explore others’ belief systems and possibly discover the meaning of life along the way?”

***

“You’re coming to the party this Friday, right?” Artemis looks up from her reading assignment. It was short so she figured she could probably do it while waiting outside the dining hall for the rest of the team. She had just finished when Stan arrived.

“I mean…” She puts the book back in her bag as she responds. “I’m supposed to go for one of my classes so I can’t think of any reason not to. I’m guessing it's actually worth going to, then, and not like those lame school run parties most high schools had…?”

“Oh totally not. I mean, there’s a budget so nothing super crazy, but the student council run events really take into account what we actually like and want to do. Last year, right around exam time, they ran a table where you could send them an image and they’d print it on a pillow case for you to pick up. There was also the annual haunted tour on one of the hiking trails around Halloween and one or two comedians they were able to get throughout the year. Between them and the other clubs hosting events, there’s usually at least one thing to do on any given weekend or between classes.” That all sounded really fun. It was nice to know that there were plenty of things to do on campus. Especially since it had been pointed out that the nearest town was a fifteen minute drive from them. It’s not like they could just pop over to the movie theater or burger place in town to take a break from classes and studying…

“That’s pretty cool. Then I’ll see you there?”
“Yeah. I mean…” The older student had a look Artemis was hoping she was misinterpreting. “I was wanting to ask if you wanted to go, you know, together…”

“As friends? Sure. I was definitely planning to hang with whoever on the team showed up.”

“No, like together, together…” Well, shit. She had hoped to continue brushing the advances from Stan off under the guise of not noticing. Now she should probably be direct with turning him down.

“Oh, I’m really sorry. I have a very strict no dating teammates rule. I know from personal experience that it can get messy… All it takes is one bad fight and it can majorly affect teamwork. I hope me being upfront now doesn’t make things weird between us. I don’t want to lead anyone on…”

Stan was surprisingly understanding and mature in response. “Yeah, it’s fine. You’re pretty cool so I don’t want things getting awkward between us. Guess it’s better to address it now instead of letting it grow. Maybe you could help wingman for me if I find someone else?”

“We’ll see… Depends on the person and situation.” Arty smirks a little. “Though, I’m sure I’d be more inclined if you win us some competitions. Makes things easier if there’s actually stuff to brag about you…” He takes the teasing in good humor and they both chuckle just as the others arrive.

***

“Alright, class… I want everyone to partner up and practice introducing yourself to the other person. It’s only the first class so don’t beat yourself up over mispronunciations or worry about anything past the greeting and giving your name that we went over earlier.” Abe sighs. Of course there would be partner practice in the secondary language class… He’d hoped choosing Russian would mean the class size would be small but it seemed that the language was popular to learn right now if his class was any indication.

Well, suck it up, now he’d need to talk with people. “Um, do you have a partner yet?” He decides to ask one of the nearby students that seemed on the more mellow side.

“No… Did you want to partner up?”

“Better than wasting time trying to continue looking for one, right?” He does his best to give a light smile.

“Whatever. Privet…“ Their pronunciation needed work, but Abe wasn’t comfortable correcting them. 

“Um… Privet.” He was glad he’d gone through a learning languages phase in middle school. He still needed to take the class for the college credit, but the words don’t feel quite so foreign on his tongue. It was the talking with others, specifically someone he didn’t know, that was most hard for him.

“Menya zovut Spencer.”

“Menya zovut… er… Abe.” It doesn’t go unnoticed that his own name was what Abe had stumbled on. Thankfully, Spencer pretended to ignore it.

“Well, nice to meet you, Abe.”

“Same…” Why did it feel like the class was dragging on so much? He just wanted to go back to his dorm and study now. He was so terrible at interacting with other people and this was making him feel tired.

And as the seconds passed without Spencer saying anything, Abe realized there was something even worse than trying to make conversation… The awkward silence sits like a moist pile of rags between them. He wanted to break it, but had no idea how or what to even talk about. He didn’t really want to make small talk, but the silence was making him self conscious.

Had he said or done something to offend the other student? Was it because he approached them? Maybe he’d been too forward or pressured them by assuming they needed a partner. What if he was being too weird and it put the other student off? Or maybe he’d unknowingly started to stink? Abe resists the sudden urge to check. He’d showered and everything, but maybe there was a chance he’d picked up an oder from somewhere since then. 

Finally, the teacher dismissed the class. Abe quickly put away his stuff and hurried out in relief. Having no other classes that day, he decided to make a small detour to the school store to pick up snacking supplies before going to his room. He hadn’t really gotten a good look at the store’s selection but he was hoping they had the good brand iced coffee and snacks he liked. He was really feeling like wrapping himself up in a fluffy blanket with a cold caffeinated drink and a textbook.

Thankfully the store was practically empty at the time so he was able to take his time looking the food section over without feeling pressured. There was a decent selection considering how small it was. A lot of stereotypical “college foods” for the most part… And there was the prepackaged ice coffees. Sweet, they had his brand. Oo~ and there’s the chips he adores…

Abe quickly grabbed both and a few other munchies before going to the register to check out. Paying was quick with no line and he soon headed towards the dorms. Unlocking his door, he carefully sets everything down, unpacking and putting everything in its place before grabbing a blanket off his bed and the book he wanted to read. “Hello, relaxation time…”