Dr. Isla Hartmann was the professor who would teach the classes on consumer behavior.
And the said person—Dr. Isla Hartmann—entered the class, the T.A. following after her. Her heels clacked on the floor, which echoed throughout the room that was now shrouded in silence.
'What?!'
I exclaimed in surprise that the class, which was filled with chatter, suddenly died down because of a professor. It was not that I didn't know about the professor. I knew she was strict, but I didn't know that everyone feared her this much.
*Thud*
With a low thud sound that echoed in the room due to the silence. Dr. Isla Hartmann put down the material that she was carrying on the desk. With silky black hair that reached her waist in a ponytail, steel blue eyes, and a slim and athletic body with some curves, she didn't look like a woman who was in her late 30s.
Glancing towards us, sporting a poker face, she moved towards the podium.
Contrasting to her cold demeanor, the T.A.—the girl who had come alongside her, with her black hair in a messy bun, black eyes hidden behind her glasses, and a beautiful smile, despite her state—stood behind the desk, arranging the materials.
"Good morning, everyone," Dr. Isla Hartmann's voice echoed in the classroom. She took the chalk and turned towards the board, and wrote her name. "I am Dr. Isla Hartmann. Your consumer behavior professor. You will address me as Professor Hartamann."
Once more turning to face us, she spoke up. "Now, stand up one by one and state your name and major."
Finishing, she glanced at the guy sitting in front. Under her intense stare, the guy stood up, fumbling and nearly dropping his laptop.
"Ah, sorr—" He started to apologize but stopped, hurriedly introduced himself, and sat down immediately.
Seeing this, a smile stretched on my face, unconsciously.
After him, everyone did the same—introducing themselves, including me—after which the class started.
...
The sounds of steps echoed, and some students left the class, while some stayed. We were in the former; we left the class, with me apologizing to Mark.
"I am sorry, okay? I didn't know that she was, well, that strict."
"I had told you how she was."
'I didn't listen.' I thought so, looking at his stressed demeanor. 'Who the hell would even take it seriously, when you are using words like "demon," "demon queen," and whatnot?'
"You didn't listen, did you?" He muttered, eyeing me.
"N-no, I did."
"Ah fuck, whatever," He said, rubbing his eyebrows. "What had you even wanted at that time?"
"Nothing, now I don't need it," I replied, shaking my hand and turning the conversation, because I knew if I told him that I was getting bored and that's why I talked to him and landed us with more assignments, he would get more triggered. "How about we grab something to eat in the evening? I will pay."
"For us, too," Sarah spoke up, her hazel-colored eyes meeting.
"Yeah, it's been days since we met, so."
"Not we—just you." Sam chimed in. "We met during the vacation. You were the one touring all over the place."
"Sorry," I bowed exaggeratedly. "Mom had already planned. So what could I do?"
"It's okay," Jenny said with a soft smile. "Family is more important. And you can spend time with us, like today, not like we're running anywhere."
"Yeah," I nodded before glancing at Sam. "Learn something."
"What?"
"See, I am right, aren't I? This guy just got lucky," Mark said.
"Hm," Sarah hummed from my side, supporting Mark.
"You too, Sarah," Sam whined, dramatically.
And like that, we went on to take our other classes while talking and bantering.
...
"So, where are we going?" Mark asked, stretching.
"Uh, yes, where do you want to?" I threw the answer back.
"It's your treat. I will go wherever you had planned."
"I don't have any place in mind."
"Huh?! I thought you said, because you already had a place in mind."
"Well, you thought wrong."
"Ok, ok, stop bickering, you two," Sarah said, coming in between us. "I know a new place that is just around the corner. How about we go there, hm?"
"Ok, let's go." I nodded.
"Yeah, I am ok too," Mark chimed in.
"We can take Sam's car," Jenny said, giggling at us.
"Yeah, I brought my car today. So we can ride there together," Sam added, agreeing with his girlfriend.
"I will follow you guys with my bike," I said, turning to move. But before I could, someone latched onto my arm.
"Did you bring your bike?" Sarah said with excitement. Her hazel eyes were practically shining.
"Y-yes."
"Can I ride with you?" She spoke up hurriedly, pushing her whole body against me. "Please?"
"Ok," I replied, pulling myself back from her, which I couldn't as she wrapped me in a hug.
"Thanks."
"No problem," I muttered, not sure what to do.
Maybe coming to terms with the present situation, after reeling from her previous excitement, Sarah disengaged herself from me. "Ah, sorry."
"Hahaha, no problem," I laughed at her sheepish behavior.
"Hey!"
"Okay, okay, let's go," I said, backing a little with my arms up in surrender. "We will go ahead. You guys can follow us."
"Sure," Sam gave me a thumbs up.
...
After that, we all went to a cafe that was right around the college. The vibe of the cafe was quite pleasant, and it looked newly opened, as said by Sarah.
We stayed there until around 6:30 PM, after which everyone headed out. Sam and Jenny went together, Mark took a taxi, and Sarah and I went on my bike, as I had promised her to drop her off at her apartment complex.
*Screeech*
I stopped the bike with a screeching sound as I came in front of her apartment complex.
"Here?"
"Yes," Sarah replied, hopping off the bike. "You can come inside and rest for a bit, if you want."
"No, it's fine. Thanks for asking." I said with a smile before closing the helmet's visor.
"No problem." She shook her head with a smile emerging on her face. "Drive safe, okay?"
"Hm," I hummed, starting my bike and riding off.