Chapter 10

With a gasping breath, Jane ran into the campus. She felt her heart pounding and cold sweat dripping on her forehead. She woke up late from her deep sleep and realized that she missed her first class. Her clothes were wrinkled, her bag was messy, and her face was pale. She was confused about what to do. She was worried that she could not follow the material on her first day. She was also afraid of getting scolded by the lecturer or mocked by her friends.

"Oh, Jane! You are really careless. On your first day of college, you wake up late like this. How can you be a good student if you are like this?" Jane regretted and disappointed herself.

She did not know that there was someone who had the same fate as her. Nicole, the senior who she admired since the first time she saw her on campus, had just arrived in a hurry.

"Jane …?!" Nicole called with a soft voice but loud enough to attract Jane's attention.

Jane, who was walking to her class, stopped and turned to the sound. Her eyes met Nicole, who had just arrived on campus with a panting breath while tidying up her hair that was hit by the wind. Nicole ran towards Jane with a wide smile on her face. Jane was surprised because she did not expect Nicole to call her name and approach her that morning. Jane admired Nicole, who was beautiful, smart, and popular on campus. Jane felt nervous and confused. What did Nicole want to say to her? Did Nicole know that Jane missed her first class? Would Nicole mock or advise Jane? Jane felt her heart pounding as Nicole got closer.

"Why haven't you entered your class?" Nicole asked curiously. She saw Jane still standing in the campus yard even though the class had started.

"I was late because I forgot to set the alarm on my phone." Jane answered with an explanatory tone. She did not hide her mistake. "And you, why do you look so rushed, isn't it still too early for you to enter the class?" Jane asked back. She wanted to know the reason Nicole came so early.

"Actually, this morning I had an appointment with Mr. Edi, my literature lecturer. But because I forgot to set the alarm like you, I also woke up late." Nicole said with a small laugh. She told Jane about her plan that she was sure would fail.

"And me, I was late for my first class." Jane said with a nervous laugh. She saw the door of her class closed tightly. She realized that she had missed her first class. She felt guilty on her first day as a student.

There was no doubt that the class in Jane's class had started a few minutes ago. Jane looked very disappointed with herself. But Nicole, who saw Jane's expression, tried to cheer Jane up. She did not want Jane to feel discouraged.

"Just relax, everything will be fine." Nicole said with a sweet smile to Jane. She gave a little support and hope to Jane.

"You only missed once, Jane. That's normal. Now it's better for you to just enter your class. Explain the truth, why you were late. I'm sure they will try to understand you." Nicole persuaded Jane to be more confident. Jane looked at Nicole with doubt.

"It's okay, trust me. Rather than you not entering the class at all on your first day, Jane." Nicole tried to give courage to Jane who looked hesitant to enter her first class.

"I have to see Mr. Edi now. If not …" Nicole said hanging up and gave a sign with her hand that cut her neck. She joked to amuse Jane. She hurried to keep her promise with her campus lecturer named Mr. Edi.

Jane and Nicole laughed together.

"Alright, cheer up Jane! See you later." Nicole said goodbye and left Jane. She hoped Jane could enter her class and follow her first class well.

Jane realized that she was very late, but she had no choice but to face the consequences. With a limp step, she walked to her class.

Jane felt her chest pounding. She opened the door of her class carefully, hoping not to attract too much attention. But she was immediately surprised when she saw the figure standing in front of the blackboard. It turned out that he was Mr. Edi, a lecturer who was famous as a fierce and strict figure on the Jayakarta University campus. And he was also the lecturer who had just been mentioned by Nicole before.

Without much talking, Jane entered the class while looking for an empty seat. She hoped to find her two friends, Denies and Maria, and sit next to them. Maybe they could help her deal with this awkward situation like a stranger.

Mr. Edi, who saw Jane enter his class, did not remain silent. He stared at Jane with a sharp look that made Jane shiver to the bone. He was annoyed because Jane did not respect the time and rules that had been set.

"Is there a problem?" Mr. Edi asked coldly to Jane who stopped in the middle of the class because she was confused looking for a seat. He wanted to scold Jane for being late. He wanted to test Jane whether she was serious or not in studying.

All eyes in the class were on Jane who looked panicked. They felt sorry for Jane who had to go through something like this on her first day.

"There is still an empty seat over there. Please sit down, miss!" Mr. Edi said, pointing to the empty seat in the corner of the class. He gave Jane a chance to sit, but also gave her a punishment by placing her in a place far from her friends.

Reluctantly, Jane walked to the seat pointed by Mr. Edi. She felt embarrassed because she had to sit next to someone she didn't know and under Mr. Edi's strict supervision.

Maria, who saw Jane sitting in a place she didn't like, slapped her forehead. She felt sorry for Jane who came late and got unpleasant treatment on her first day. She hoped Jane could survive and not give up.

Mr. Edi continued his material with occasionally mentioning Jane with a cynical eye because of her lateness. He also added that he hated people who never arrived on time and neglected their assignments. He wanted to teach Jane to be more disciplined and responsible.

He warned Jane not to be late again. He challenged Jane to follow the lesson well and show her abilities.

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