Chapter 3: Class

Chapter 3: Class

As the clock struck 11 pm, Aria reluctantly tore herself away from her phone and prepared for bed. With a contented sigh, Aria settled beneath the covers.

The next day dawned bright and early. Unlike yesterday, Aria woke up early and greeted the morning with renewed energy and determination. After a refreshing night's sleep, she rose from her bed and went through her morning routine.

Once she was dressed and ready, she reached for her phone and checked the Architecture 1B group chat to see which building and room the subject, visual technique 1, would be conducted in. Scrolling through the messages, she quickly found the information she was looking for... but there is a problem.

'where is this building located at? 43-701?' Aria thought.

Aria thought to herself, a hint of frustration creeping into her thoughts.

Just then, Aria remembered Emily, her reliable classmate and friend. With a quick glance at her phone, she sent a message to Emily, asking for assistance in finding the building. Emily responded promptly, suggesting that they go together to locate it.

Feeling relieved, Aria agreed to Emily's suggestion and made her way to their designated meeting spot. Along the way, she ran into Marcus, who was also heading to the same building for the class.

"Hey, Aria! Emily told me you were looking for 43-701 too. Mind if I tag along?" Marcus asked with a friendly grin.

Aria smiled gratefully, glad for the company. "Of course not, Marcus!" she replied.

Emily arrived and the three friends made their way to class together.

As Aria, Emily, and Marcus arrived at the room early, they found that the instructor for Visual Techniques 1 had also arrived ahead of schedule. With a warm smile, the instructor welcomed the students and asked them to introduce themselves once again. Each student took their turn, sharing a bit about themselves and their interests in the course.

After the introductions, the instructor delved into the syllabus, outlining the topics they would be covering throughout the semester. With the administrative matters taken care of, the instructor dismissed the class early, leaving the students with some extra time before their next class.

With a quick exchange of glances, Aria, Emily, and Marcus made their way to the cafeteria. After buying a rice meal, they sat on an empty table.

Emily leaned over to Aria and noticed her plate in history of architecture, excitement evident in her voice. "Wow Aria, ginuhit mo yang Taj Mahal? Ganda naman!"

Aria smiled gratefully at Emily's encouragement. "Thanks, Emily! It turned out okay, but I feel like may room for improvement pa," Aria continued, "Show me yours Em, I bet it also looks great."

Emily's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she reached into her bag and pulled out her own drawing of the Colosseum. "Here it is!" she exclaimed, passing the plate to Aria.

Aria eagerly held the plate, marveling at Emily's skillful depiction of the iconic monument.

As Aria and Emily admired each other's drawings, Marcus leaned in to join the conversation, his interest piqued. "Hey, Anyare dito? Are we comparing drawings now?"

Aria chuckled, gesturing towards Emily's plate. "Pinakita ni Emily sa'kin ang drawing niya sa Colosseum. It's really good!"

Marcus nodded appreciatively, "Wooww, galing Emily ha."

Emily blushed, grateful for her friends' compliment, "Salamat Marcus! But let's not forget about Aria's drawing. She's the real artist here."

Aria shrugged modestly, feeling a surge of pride at the praise. "I tried my best," she replied humbly.

Marcus grinned, eager to join in the friendly banter. "Well, meron akong drawing sa Eiffel Tower that might give you both a run for your money," he teased, reaching for his own plate, revealing his intricate drawing of the Eiffel Tower.

"Check this out, guys," he said proudly, holding up the sketch for Aria and Emily to see.

Aria and Emily leaned in closer, their eyes widening in admiration as they took in Marcus's detailed artwork. "Wow, Marcus, ang ganda neto!" Emily exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

"Parang printed grabe pero wow, never thought you're that good Marcus," Aria honestly stated in awe, eyes still stuck on the Eiffel tower drawing.

Marcus beamed at the compliments, feeling a sense of pride at their reactions. "Thanks, guys! I've always been fascinated by architecture, so I love drawing famous landmarks like this."

"Its almost time for our next class, TCW. Online maglecture diba? Stay put nalang tayo, dito na tayo magklase," Aria said.

"Good idea, Aria," Marcus replied, with Emily nodding in agreement.

With their decision made, the trio settled back into their seats with their earphones/airpods and phones ready.

"Did sir send the link?" a message from the archi 1B popped out in Aria's notification. Aria clicked the notif.

'Aiden Lehmann..? Ahh yung gwapong englishero na kagrupo namin sa PE'

She noticed others were leaving him on "seen." So Aria decided to respond. She typed, "Not yet," and hit send just as Sir TCW's message with the Google Meet link popped up in the chat.

"Guys, may link na ba? Mahina signal dito hays," Marcus exclaimed and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Oo, meron na. Bago lang nasend ni sir ang gmeet link. Forward ko sa gc," Aria repliee and quickly forwarded it to the rest of the Archi 1B, "Eto ang link, guys. Let's join the meeting before it starts," Aria typed.

Marcus and Emily nodded and tapped on the link that Aria sent.

Marcus tapped on the link, brows furrowing in annoyance. "I swear, lalong humihina ang signal ng data ko every day," he muttered, turning his data and airplane mode alternately to find a better connection.

Emily nodded sympathetically, tapping away at her phone as she waited for the link to load. "Tell me about it. hirap nga ma-stay connected," she remarked, frustration evident in her voice.

"Pilipinas ba naman, mahina ang internet, ay, issue," Aria replied with a smile.

Marcus chuckled at Aria's comment, nodding in agreement. "Sobrang totoo! Parang laban araw-araw sa internet connection dito sa Pilipinas," he chimed in, shaking his head in amusement.

A message popped out again, "Okay, Thank you Aria," Aiden replied.

"Welcomee," Aria replied with a friendly smiley face emoji, glad to have helped out.

With their phones in hand and their earphones plugged in, Aria, Emily, Marcus, and the rest of Aria's classmate joined the link.

The class started as the instructor leads a lively discussion on current events and global issues. Few of Aria's classmates, also shared their perspectives and insights on the topics at hand since the instructor calls them out to share their own opinion.

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