The Code of Aries ✓

(2) 'A' as in Apple

"That's right. At 2:00 PM, all the freshmen students will be heading to the pavilion with the seniors. You're then going to introduce yourself to everyone. It's gonna be fun," Jesse explains further.

Vicki looked excited, while Justin didn't really care. I then looked back at Aries, who was staring at his watch like he was checking something. After a couple of seconds, he turns back at me and says, "Looks like there's still time. When you're done eating, let's meet up at 1. I'll wait for you outside the auditorium."

"That's not really neces—"

"Then that's settled!" Jesse says with a bright smile. "Now, let's eat. I'm fuckin starving."

I was about to say something, but the seniors had already walked off. As soon as they were gone, Vicki tried to kick my legs under the table again, but she accidentally kicked Justin instead, making the two of them start arguing for the hundredth time.

"I'm surprised you got my brother as your partner," Arthur then says as the four of us go back to eating our lunch. "I'd say you're lucky since he's pretty reliable."

"Is that so?" I say before taking a bite of my food.

Vicki, Justin, and Arthur eventually got comfortable with each other and started sharing their life stories. Vicki's the oldest daughter among three siblings, while Justin only has one who's a seaman. Everyone was just happy to know more about each other, while I was stuck glancing at my watch, painfully waiting for the clock to strike 1.

...

"Aries!" I call out, running towards Aries, who's standing near the auditorium while checking his phone. There were still ten minutes before 1:00 PM. I decided to arrive early because it felt rude if I made Aries wait, but it looked like he came before me, so that didn't make any difference.

"Did you wait long?" I ask as I try to catch my breath.

Aries looks at me and chuckles. "You didn't have to run. It's not like you're late."

"But you're already here. I didn't want you to wait any longer," I tell him, and there he is again, staring at me like he's analyzing every word I'm trying to say. Why does he act so cautious? Why does he act like I'm going to hurt him?

"Well then, since you're already here, let's begin the tour," he then says with a smile, and I take a deep breath and nod my head.

Aries walked me around the campus as promised. LU offers different programs, so there are six different buildings that consist of the six major institutes: Institute of Arts & Science, Institute of Business Administration, Institute of Technology, Institute of Architecture & Fine Arts, Institute of Hospitality Management, and Institute of Education. Since it would take all day for us to visit all of it, Aries just walked me around the Education building.

"We have a small library in our building, but if you want more source materials, you can head to the Institute of Arts and Science's building. The main library can be found there," Aries explains, and I nod my head in understanding.

While the two of us continued walking, I couldn't help but glance back at Aries. Aries seems like a friendly guy, considering how a dozen of students and even three professors had already greeted him when we walked past them.

"So you're Arthur's brother, huh? What a coincidence," I say, trying to start a conversation with him because I don't know when I'll be alone with him like this again.

"Yeah, it's crazy. Arthur's a quiet kid, but I'm glad you met up with him," Aries says.

"I'm sorry if you had to tour me like this. I bet you're tired after the freshman orientation," I then open up, and Aries looks at me and chuckles again. It seems like this guy's easy to please. He keeps laughing at me even though I haven't said anything funny yet.