Date: October 15, 2024
Location: KLAV University – ENGR 101 Lecture Hall & Campus Grounds
7:00 AM – Morning Ritual Revisited
My alarm rang at 7:00 AM, and I woke with that familiar jab of nerves—today was the first recap lecture of finals: Advanced Statics Review. I showered, dressed in jeans and a crisp polo, and clipped Erin Pascual’s panda keychain to my zipper. My phone chimed:
“See you at 7:30 outside ENGR 101. I have coffee ☕️”
Erin’s initiative set my heart racing. She’s coming early—just for me. I inhaled deeply. Focus, Max.
7:25 AM – Coffee & Quiet
At 7:25, I found Erin by the building’s stone column, two steaming cups in hand. She offered mine with a grin:
“For you, Top Dog.”
I laughed, taking a careful sip. She remembered. “Thank you,” I said, voice catching. She tucked a loose hair behind her ear and gave me a warm smile.
7:35 AM – Finding Seats
We entered ENGR 101 together and slipped into the front row. Our shoulders touched as we sorted out notebooks. The little spark made my chest flutter.
7:40 AM – Public Congratulations
Professor Castillo entered precisely on time, clipboard in hand. She greeted us, then said, “Before we begin, let’s honor our top ten midterm performers.” She read each name, and we all applauded as each student stood:
Maximus Klave – 94.38%
Ronan Reyes – 94.10%
Erin Pascual – 93.90%
Mia Aguilar – 92.80%
Dev Martinez – 92.10%
Harold Sim – 91.75%
Isabelle Gatchalian – 91.50%
Julian Tan – 91.30%
Levi De Guzman – 91.00%
Clarisse Valdez – 90.80%
When my name was announced first, the room erupted. I stood, accepted my certificate, and sat back down, cheeks burning. Erin’s enthusiastic clap and quick thumbs-up anchored me—her pride felt more real than any certificate.
8:00 AM – Lecture Begins
Professor Castillo clicked her remote, and a slide titled “STATICS FOUNDATIONS RECAP” appeared. She led us through reaction-force calculations. Erin tapped my notebook and whispered, “Remember the positive shear convention.” That small gesture felt like a lifeline.
8:30 AM – Reaction Forces & Shared Focus
She sketched a simply supported beam and walked us through summing moments and forces. I followed each step; Erin’s head dipped over her notes, her pen moving in sync with mine. Our shared focus gave me steady confidence.
9:00 AM – Moment Diagrams
Professor Castillo handed out practice sheets. Erin slid one to me with a grin and said softly, “Left side first.” Her fingers brushed mine. My heart raced, but I redrew the correct shear and moment curves, earning her approving nod.
9:30 AM – Method of Sections
Next came a truss problem. Erin and I exchanged calculators and scribbled equations in tandem. When I faltered on a moment sum, she leaned over and whispered the right sign convention. I smiled at her. We’re a great team.
10:00 AM – Lab Invitation & Secret Note
As class wrapped, Castillo announced extra lab bench time today at 2:15. Students buzzed. Erin then pressed a folded scrap of paper into my hand: “Lunch at 12:30, fountain bench. – E”
My pulse spiked. She asked me to lunch.
10:15 AM – Overthinking in the Café
I retreated to the campus café and ordered matcha latte—Erin’s favorite. Unfolding her note, my mind raced: What if I say something stupid? I stared at the latte until the foam settled my jittery thoughts.
11:30 AM – Trio Pep Talk
A quick video call with Nass and Leia helped:
Nass: “Girl likes you—act natural.”
Leia: “Balance: study hard, smile harder.”
Their cheer felt genuine, but my heart stayed on Erin.
12:30 PM – Fountain Bench Reunion
Erin waited at the fountain, wraps and iced tea ready. She stood to hug me when I arrived.
“Congrats again,” she said, handing me the tuna pesto wrap. I nearly dropped it. “You remembered.”
“Of course.” She smiled, and warmth spread through me.
1:00 PM – Unscripted Moments
We strolled and chatted—about autumn leaves, our favorite labs, silly campus rumors. Erin’s laughter filled the quad. At one point, she stopped, looked at me, and said, “I love seeing you confident.”
I swallowed. “You make me confident.”
Her eyes widened, then softened. “Good.”
1:30 PM – Rival’s Reminder
Passing the engineering fountain, we spotted Ronan and Harold. Ronan nodded curtly, Harold’s gaze lingered on Erin.
Erin squeezed my hand and whispered, “Ignore them.”
“I will,” I replied, chest tight with protective pride.
2:15 PM – Lab Tables & Brushes
In the materials lab, Erin handed me the caliper I needed. Her fingers brushed mine, and she whispered, “Got you.” My heart jolted.
3:00 PM – Reflection
Back in my dorm, I jotted in my diary:
– Professor’s top-ten congratulations—energizing.
– Erin’s early coffee—thoughtful.
– Shared lecture moments—steady.
– Lunch invite—thrilling.
– Rival nods—motivating.
I closed the notebook and whispered, “Balance, Max.” Finals begin tomorrow. With Erin by my side, I’m ready whatever equations and emotions lie ahead.
—Max
YOU ARE READING
Diary Of An Overthinker
RomanceWelcome to the brain of Maximus Klave-civil engineering student, chronic overthinker, and emotionally constipated romantic. Between problem sets, panic attacks, and very inconvenient feelings for his classmate Erin, Max is barely holding it togeth...
