Waking Up (Pt. 3)

"Uh, no," I said, moving my things further down from his personal bubble and fixing my body to adjust away from him. I saw him smile wider from the corner of my eye, placing his things on the table before putting his bag beside his feet. I returned to looking out the window, but I could feel the hole being burned into the side of my head.

"Is this your first class here?" He asked, and I waited. There was no way he was talking to me; it wasn't like people don't talk to me, but in class, it was weird. What makes it weirder is we are already four weeks into the semester. I've been here every day, but I guess not everyone enjoys or works hard to even attempt to study.

"I've been in class 12 times," I responded. This class specifically was only available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I knew this because I always had my humanities classes to look forward to, while Tuesdays were always a bit more complicated. 

"12 times?" He questioned and blew out a puff of air. "Why only 12?" He laid back in his chair a bit to stretch before turning his attention to the professor as he entered the room.

"We've only met in this class 12 times," I whispered harshly to him and waited for the professor to begin the class.

"What is your major?" He asked, and I could not help but roll my eyes. Why does it matter? Why does he keep trying to talk to me? "I take seminars 1 and 2, and I don't think I have seen you before." His voice dropped lower, and when he finished, the professor began his lecture. 

"Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen. As we begin this morning's lecture, we will begin by analyzing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." I usually spend this time listening deeply to the professor and taking notes vigilantly. I picked up my purple pen and began to write the date and topic but was rudely interrupted by a half-torn sheet of paper. I flipped it over and revealed just a few words.

'Are you new?'

'No.' I pushed the paper back towards him and tried to focus on the professor, and I began to write down the triangle model he completed on the board. I completed the triangle and began sectioning off the multiple parts the professor identified.

'Why haven't I seen you before?' The note appeared on top of my hand, covering everything else in my vision. I was getting tired of this. What are we in, like high school? I tried not to make any drastic sounds or show irritation, so I did not bother the professor, but I was already ready to change seats. I pulled my hand from under the paper, placed my pen on top, and responded before throwing it toward his notebook.

'I am trying to learn.'

I heard his body settle down, but my guard was up. I didn't want another note, and if he wrote another, I needed to be prepared to leave. I looked behind me a bit, noticing an empty seat next to the window, but it was in the fourth row. I've never sat that far back, but I was prepared to if necessary. It would be the first time I would have changed seats or even been that far away. My father always said that sitting in the front won't make you dumb, but sitting in the back won't make you smart. I always went for the middle, but now this was ruined. 

I actually anticipated a response and found myself being on alert and waiting for the response he would give. It did not take long, but after being able to take notes in peace, I just had to look over and see what he was doing. I was at least expecting him to be a little more annoying. An image of Tae sitting next to me in class popped into my head. That is honestly the last thing that I need to envision in class. I shook my head and tried to focus on the professor again. He continued on about the Hierarchy of Needs, writing down examples and mentioning how pertinent it was for us to know this information.

"When analyzing and identifying which need is missing or is not yet fulfilled, remember to associate the characteristics and examples of each. Now, don't forget to bring reasonable research proposals on Tuesday. If you have yet to schedule an appointment with me to discuss it, you will have until noon tomorrow. That is all, see you in the next class." He said, grabbing his things. 

I was completely shocked and could not believe that the class had passed by already. It felt like it had just begun, but I only had a 30-minute break before my next class. I began to collect my things before turning to the side of me and noticing the guy had already gotten up and was making his way out the door. I rushed to put my notebook and pen in my bag before galloping after everyone else. By the time I reached the door, he was no longer in my sight. What was he wearing? I began to look around the hall outside and tried to focus on what he looked like, but the only thing I could think about was his smile. Annoying.

I pushed my bag up on my shoulder and walked down the hall. Now was the perfect time for me to begin eating my snack, reading, and catching up on any notes. I walked to the next building over. My next class was Korean Literature and Language. I took up space on the circle couch table that was across from the lecture hall. There were multiple circle couches that were two half spheres put together with a circle table in the middle. I placed my bag down and began to unload my pink notebook and green pen. I reached in for my headphones and noticed a small piece of paper. I did not put that there. I need to focus. 

I left the note, pulled out my earphones, and turned my attention back towards what I was doing. I pulled out the coffee next, opened it, and placed it at the top of my notebook. I took the banana out next, placing it next to my pen, and looked back towards my bag.

I placed both earphones in before opening the notebook and looking at my previous notes. I just need to stay focused. I unlocked my phone, opened my app, and began to play my book once again. I wouldn't even get through the opening quote of chapter two before I felt a bump on my shoulder. I quickly turned around and was greeted by that familiar smile as she jumped into the seat next to me.

"Hi," I heard her preppy voice sing as I pulled out my earphones and set them aside. I gave a small smile and took a deep breath.

"Hi," I tried to sound a little bit excited, but I'm sure she knew I was not feeling it. I tried to scoot over so that she could have some space, but she only moved closer towards me. 

"What year are you?" She asked, turning her head slightly to the side and staring with her eyes that spoke volumes. 

"Uh, this is actually my 4th year," I stated slowly, thinking about what that meant for me. "What about for you?" I followed up with, waiting for her response.

"Technically, this should be my 3rd year, but I completed classes during the summer so that I could graduate sooner." She smiled thoughtfully and held my arm a little tighter. "So, Unnie, what class do you have next?" She asked, and I scoffed in my head. I just met her, and we are already formally talking to one another.

"Korean Lit and Language. You?" I asked, and she gasped. 

"Me too! I wanted to take that class so badly; now I can take it with you, Unnie. Want to study after school together? Do you have time?" Woah, way too many questions. I tried to reevaluate what was going on, and before long, it was time for the class to begin.

"Uh, I need to get ready." I started putting things back into my backpack, and she tried to help.

"Here." She said sweetly, picking up my notebook and coffee. "I'll carry these for you." She stood there holding them and waited for me silently. 

"Thanks," I reached for it, but she smiled and turned her body towards the classroom. "Where are your things?" I asked, and she smiled.

"I actually was sitting in the classroom already. I just saw you and wanted to see you." She smiled and trotted towards the room a little.

"Oh," I watched her walk straight into the room and placed my things down in the empty space next to her items. No wonder I never saw her; she was always in the front row. I guess looking at the back of someone's head; you never know what they look like from the front. 

She sat in her chair and patted the chair next to her. It wasn't that I did not want to have friends, but I tended to focus more on the reason for being at school. I always made sure to focus on school, but now I'm afraid to sit there. Why am I afraid to sit there? My legs wouldn't move, and I don't know if I should. I just need to go. It's no big deal, just go. I forced a smile, and the next thing I knew, my legs just moved. I pushed my hair back a bit before taking a seat next to her, and she sighed, turning to the front of the room. 

"I really love this class; what about you?" She asked, and I shrugged a bit.

"I mean, it's definitely something nice to learn." I looked down at my notebook, reaching for my pen. I saw her reach for something as well before I placed my pen on my desk. I reached for the can of coffee that was straight ahead before placing my hand on top.

"Oh, we're so alike!" She squealed, and I turned to see her with her coffee in hand. I smiled softly. She was so sweet. It was nice to have someone who was happy around me. 

"I guess so." I smiled and tried to think of something to talk about. "Year 3, what's your major?" Is that really a good question to ask? I watched her face and waited for a reaction. I opened my coffee, raising it to drink as I waited for her response.

"Well, I'm a Psychology major, but I wanted to be able to take this class. The only problem was that this wasn't in my course of study. So I took some classes through the summer so I could get the opportunity to take this class." She said so innocently, smiling and looking like she was trying to catch her breath a bit. That was so cool, Psychology. She must be really good at studying, and she's so young. I took a drink and moved a little closer. So she's like almost a doctor. 

"Wow, that's amazing." I smiled, and she blushed a little before opening her coffee. "That takes a lot of commitment, school during the summer." She smiled as she took a sip.

"Not really. I just studied online mostly. It helps." She took another drink, and she smiled more. Her smile was very charming.

"Well, I think it's really cool." All of a sudden, it hit me. "Jennie! My name it's Jennie." I smiled and couldn't help but mentally beat myself up. I didn't even tell her my name.

"Minji." She said. "I'm sorry, I get carried away sometimes. I just feel like I've known you forever." I laughed a little because somehow I felt the same. The door began to open, and I looked towards the opening door and watched as the class came flooding in, with the professor breaking out in the middle of the herd. 

I watched as the final students came in, turning to Minji, who was now completely focused on the teacher. She was watching him like a monitor, and it made me smile. She did somehow remind me of a younger version of myself. I turned in my chair, pulled my phone onto my lap, and began to record the session. I placed my phone face down and began following suit and paying close attention. I slowly worked my way through my coffee and fought myself on whether to save or eat the banana now.

The class continued through; this class was one of my longer classes. After this, I actually will be able to grab lunch, and now this was all that was on my mind. What should I have for lunch, kimbap, bbq, I don't know. I could feel my mouth begin to water, and before I knew it, my stomach made a tiny growl. I couldn't help but sit up straighter and try to make my notes look better. I will be fine. I paced myself through, looking at the professor expressing the strength and power in the poetry. He was reading a poem written by Goreyo scholars, and I was attached to every word. I was surprised when he closed the book, and I could hear a couple of people behind me groan. Maybe this is everyone's favorite class. 

"Next week, we will be looking at more classical literature from the Sijo period. That is it for today's class." He spoke softly, closing the book, and it was like his enchantment over the whole class left. I began to hear movement, and slowly, everyone within the room began rising to their feet, and I turned towards Minji.

"Let's get lunch." She said, standing up to pack her backpack. She opened it and began piling her notebook inside and dropping the pen in the first pocket she saw.

"Uh, sure. Where?" I asked, taking my backpack and opening it, laying my notebook inside the pouch, and placing my pen in the holder. 

"I go to this nice cafe all the time. It's right next to campus. Come on." She said, moving past her chair and moving towards the door. She was such high energy, and I almost feel like I can't keep up. I closed the flap on my backpack and got up to meet her at the door. 

As we made our way down the hall, she continued to talk, telling me about everything. She was very talkative, and I couldn't help but listen. It wasn't that I hadn't had friends. I just always preferred to be by myself. I always felt like it was hard to connect with anyone, and I felt like the friendship would always eventually disintegrate. So, I guess if you think it hard enough, it really will manifest. I took another look at her and smiled. Maybe in another life, we did meet. Maybe we were friends or sisters in that life. I reached down for my phone, looked in my pockets, and then opened my bag. My phone, I must have left it on the desk. 

"Uh, I think I left my phone in class. I'll be right back." I turned around to go and grab it, but she just followed. 

"I can come with." She skipped and walked right next to me.

"Maybe you were my sister from my life in Goreyo," I told her, laughing, and she put her hands in the middle of her stomach before bowing like a maid of the court.

"Thank you." She spoke in a slow and serious tone before we both burst out into laughter. As we made our way to the lecture room, I opened the door and immediately saw my phone on the desk. I made my way closer, but when I reached to grab it, I was stopped. My hand covered before I could fully take hold of it. I had completely ignored whatever was going on. I took a look around and stopped in my tracks. 

"Hello again." A voice boomed softly into my ear. I turned towards the stranger and noticed who it was. "Read my note yet?"

Out of everything I experienced so far, waking up was definitely the hardest part.