Rain taps softly against the tall windows of the classroom, filling the quiet spaces between conversations.
It's Bea's first day at the university, and honestly, she already feels a little out of place.
Fresh out of high school, everything still feels unfamiliar. New campus. New classes. New people.
At least she isn't doing it completely alone. Her two best friends, April and Tori, are going to the same university, even if they don't share all the same classes.
Bea keeps her journal tucked against her chest as she walks toward the back of the room, scanning the rows of desks and unfamiliar faces.
Everyone seems to already know where they're going.
Bea doesn't.
Jaron is a sophomore who usually keeps to himself, only really talking when his friends are around. He's already settled in near the back of the room.
He has one earbud in, scrolling through his phone as students slowly fill the room.
Bea spots a long bench-style table near the back with only two seats left.
Both are beside a guy in a dark hoodie, an earbud hanging loosely from one ear.
Bea chooses the furthest one - leaving a space in between them.
She slips into the seat and sets her journal down, opening it almost immediately.
Jaron glances over.
The girl just a seat away has a journal open in front of her, the page covered in handwriting and little drawings.
Jaron can't tell what she's writing, but she seems completely absorbed in it.
His eyes stay there for another moment before he looks back at his phone.
Bea has always felt a little more comfortable with her journal nearby.
The pages are filled with everything - doodles, song lyrics, random thoughts, messy handwriting, and little pieces of whatever happens to be on her mind. It's not exactly organized, but Bea likes it that way.
Bea uncaps her pen and writes at the top of a fresh page.
first day of college
She stares at the words for a second before adding a tiny storm cloud beside them.
Then she looks around the room again.
The guy beside her is still sitting quietly, scrolling through his phone with his earbud in.
She looks away before she catches herself staring.
The door opens again. Two guys walk in, talking quietly before spotting Jaron.
"Yo."
Jaron looks up, pulling his earbud out as the two of them make their way over.
They exchange quick handshakes before taking the seats nearby.
Bea glances over for a second before returning her attention to her journal.
A moment later, the door opens again.
Professor Rowan walks in carrying a stack of papers, and the room gradually settles.
"Alright, everyone. Welcome to Social Psychology."
Jaron finally pulls his hood down.
Bea looks up.
And -
Oh.
*Okay. *
She thinks to herself before quickly looking back at her journal.
He's actually really cute.
She presses her lips together, suddenly very interested in the page in front of her.
Professor Rowan begins going over the syllabus before eventually leaning against his desk.
"Since we have a few new faces this semester, let's keep this simple. Name, year, and one thing you're hoping to get out of the class."
A few people groan quietly.
He starts with the row in front of them.
"Alex?"
"Alex. Sophomore. Honestly? Just trying to pass."
A few people laugh.
"Noah?"
"Noah. Also sophomore. I'd like to actually remember something from this class."
Professor Rowan nods before moving on.
A boy sitting near the front looks up from his notebook.
"Kiran. Sophomore. I'm hoping to understand people a little better, I guess."
Professor Rowan smiles.
"Good answer."
Bea listens quietly as the introductions continue.
Then Professor Rowan looks toward the back.
"Jaron?"
Jaron looks up.
"Jaron. Sophomore."
He pauses.
"That's it?"
A small shrug.
"That's it."
His friends laugh quietly.
Bea smiles to herself.
Then Professor Rowan looks toward her.
"And you?"
Bea looks up.
"I'm Bea - I'm a freshman, but hopefully I can keep up."
Professor Rowan gives her a small nod before moving on.
Bea looks back down at her journal, and smiles to herself.
The room doesn't feel quite as unfamiliar anymore.
She takes a breath and turns her attention back to the page, letting the rest of the class fade into the background.
YOU ARE READING
Egan and Esquebrook
General FictionBea came to college looking for a fresh start. Jaron wasn't supposed to be part of it. He's quiet. She's shy. Neither of them says much-but somehow, they keep finding their way back to each other. A seat apart. A glance held too long. Conversations...
