12

Kárri found herself rushing and trying to avoid bumping shoulders with the other students standing around. It infuriated her that her previous lecturer failed to show up to class on time for the past week and when she did, she handed out notes and expected them to study the work for the next test.

The lecturer didn't even care to try to teach her module. So, she decided to take a 15:30 class from a different lecturer. The down-part was that it was now 15:20, the sun was scorching down at her and she was a panting mess because this particular classroom was on the other side of campus.

She finally made her way into the building and ran up the stairs looking for the class, T202 - English AP

She walked into the classroom dispersed around with students. Maybe the classroom was empty because it was so far away. She had to admit, most students took the 9:30 class because the venue was closer to the cafeteria, and within a good walking distance back to the library.

Regardless, she walked in and saw the lecturer arranging some notes. She smiled inwardly, and lifted the desk to take a seat in the front row. This hall wasn't like an actual lecture hall. It actually had desk and chairs like the ones found in high school. After a couple minutes the class was filled with exactly 15 students. The lecturer cleared his throat.

"I see some new faces," he said as he looked over at Kárri and someone else. "Please come closer, I don't wish to speak into the microphone seeing the class isn't huge," he chuckled, and there was pleasant laughter going on as people shifted to the two front rows.

"Alright, thank you. This week we'll cover Communication Techniques. I believe you guys that weren't with me from the beginning of the semester covered up to this week's work. I hope you enjoy your stay and that I see you again in the next class," he smiled warmly at everyone. The lesson went smoothly, a few questions here and there. Kárri even got to make a lot of notes in her book. She already decided she was going to stick with this lecturer.

"We'll end here today. Would you guys be interested in playing a communication game for the next 30 minutes?" The lecturer asked and the entire class was in agreement with his suggestion. "Alright, let's move the desks back and form a circle with our chairs."

Kárri was packing her books away and getting ready to take her chair to the middle when someone lightly nudged her shoulder. She looked up into a pair of familiar and friendly eyes and she immediately smiled.

"Zeke, hey, what are you doing here?"

"Apart from learning?" he asked, his eyes crinkling. She blushed, realizing her question was not the brightest. "What are you doing here?" he asked, knowing that she had this module in the morning.

"I had to change my time-slot," she explained as she packed away and they took their chairs to the middle to join and complete the circle.

"Great," he said with a smile. "Will you be staying?" he asked, hoping that she would stay so that they could have this class together and make it four out of five.

She pretended to think about it. "Would you like it if I did?"

"Yes," he said, not missing a beat as he stared into her eyes. She was taken aback but she quickly dismissed it as harmless flirting. She smiled and looked forward, trying to stop her mind from running wild.

"Alright, the game goes like this," Mr. Ackerman said as he stood outside the circle and walked behind everyone. "The person to your left will say a word and your next word has to start with their last letter.

"For example, Zeke says unicorn. His word ends with an 'n'. Elizabeth's word will be 'niece' which begins with an 'n' and ends with an 'e'. Then Terry's word will be 'elevator'. And so on. Personal pronouns and faux names are not valid, understood?" Everyone nodded, feeling excited.

"If you take too long to come up with a word, you're out. If you repeat a word already said within the last five rounds, you're out. And obviously, if your word doesn't start with the last letter, you're out. It's about communicating. Listening to what someone has said and taking time to respond. Who would like to start us off?"

One girl raised her hand and Mr. Ackerman pointed to her and gave her the go-ahead. "Rhino."

"Orangutan."

"Uhh,"

"Out. Next."

"Nephew."

"Weekend."

"Dandelion."

"Nephew. No, niece!"

"Out," the lecturer called out, chuckling. And so it went until only five people were left, Zeke and Kárri included.

"Ironic."

"Connoisseur."

"Runner."

"Out. Was previously mentioned. Next."

"What was his word?"

"Out."

"I also forgot the word," the third guy laughed, realising he was out. That left Zeke and Kárri still in the game. They turned to each other and the room became silent as they battled for today's winner.

"Remember."

"Reservoir."

"Reindeer."

"Racecar," he smirked, making it end with an 'r' again.

"Reincarnate."

He suddenly had an idea. "Eat."

"Tonight."

"Table."

"Evening."

"Gorgeous."

"Saturday."

"Young."

"Goal-setter."

"Restaurant."

"Takeaway."

"Yourself."

"Friday."

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

"Yabber."

"Reservation."

"Normalize."

"Ecstatic."

"Confirm."

"Magnificent."

"Thanks."

"Sure," she said, getting lost in his eyes. A round of applause pulled her out of her bubble.

What just happened? Did he just ask her out or was she simply imagining things? The way he looked at her made her think he was pleased with himself. She could see a sparkle in his eyes. She had to admit, he was a very-

"You're both out. I don't know what that was," Mr. Ackerman said as everybody laughed. The look he gave Zeke and Kárri let her know that he knew exactly what that was about. Kárri couldn't help but look away and cover her smile with her book. "Great game, everyone. See you guys on Wednesday."

"Zeke, a word," Kárri overheard the lecturer call him as she was leaving the classroom. She was done with her classes for the day, so she was on her way to their flats. She didn't get to see Denver that morning because he only had his first class at 10:00, so she was hoping he would be there. That way, she could force him to order take-out. She chuckled at her plan. It was always easy to get him to buy her fast food.

"I'm sorry to interrupt such an important conversation between you and yourself," a voice said as someone walked beside her.

She laughed, not caring that it was loud and probably unladylike. "It's okay, I'm sure she'll forgive you."

"What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about how I was going to get you to order us take-out," she smiled, briefly glancing at him.

"Me?" he asked, feigning surprise. "M-hmm, on one condition," he said, looking at her. When she looked up at him, they held eye contact for a while before his eyes moved to her lips and he looked forward again, clearing his throat.

"Which is?"

"I'll tell you when the time is right. Did you enjoy the class?"

"Did you?" she asked back, not looking up as she continued walking.

"Of course I did. I ended up getting three dates out of it," he said in a teasing voice, nudging her shoulder.

She giggled softly. "So I was right," she said to herself, but he heard her.

"Yes, you were. You had doubts?"

"I thought it was just for the sake of class," she sighed, not wanting to hurt his feelings, if any. Then it dawned on her. "Wait, three?"

He chuckled. "We'll, they are not compulsory but you agreed to tonight, Friday and Saturday. Then a couple moments ago you said you're trying to get me to buy you food. So that's four"

"Boy, get out of here!" She giggled, pushing his arm.

He stopped walking, admiring the sound of her laugh. It wasn't like anything he heard before, and somehow, he felt like he needed to hear more of it. Kárri sobered up and looked up at him, her eyes squinting to shield them from the sun. She couldn't explain the way he was looking at her. She just knew that she didn't want that sparkle in his eyes to ever dim.

"Would you like to go on a date with me?"

Something went up her spine that caused a huge smile on her face. She nodded, fiddling with her bag's shoulder strap. "I would love to."

"Five," he said, more to himself but loud enough for her to hear him. He threw his hand over her shoulder and proceeded walking. Needless to say, he had to try and calm his breathing the entire way.