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“It would not be worth it, I would fall asleep and that would be equally as embarrassing. Plus it’s the first day, the professor will just assume I got lost!” I reply with all the confidence I can put behind it.
“But…” Anna starts to fight me on it but the coffee machine cuts her off with a beep. I grab my to-go coffee cup and fill it up, no cream or sugar.
“We could invest in a new coffee machine since this one seems to vary between taking five minutes or fifteen!” I know for a fact Anna won’t ever let us replace it though because she is convinced it gives her good luck. The only test she has ever failed happened on a day she got coffee from a shop instead.
“I don’t know why you even think that’s a possibility, just wake up earlier!” She rolls her eyes at me.
As I rush out the door I check my watch. I have exactly 7 minutes to get to class but luckily it’s only a 5 minute walk, so I might just pull this off.
The walk across campus is quick and I finally pull up to the classroom doors and double check it’s the right one. No one wants to have to get up when the professor says which class it is and you realize you were supposed to be in the room next door.
When I enter, I scan the room to find an inconspicuous spot but the whole classroom is full. I can’t believe I am the last person to arrive. Apparently, I’m the only person who risked being late on the first day.
I make my way to the only seat available. As I get closer I realize the guy next to the seat is staring. With a baseball cap on I didn’t recognize him right away but as I get closer his green eyes stand out clearly. I’m just not sure which twin he is. Next thing I know he is ducking his head and makes it clear he is the shy brother, Jax.
“Oh hey, Ajax right?” I attempt to be friendly enough to help relieve his shyness, I totally get it but I can’t help but want to see him when he is feeling bold and confident.
He turns and gives me a small smile, “Uh ya, Aly right? Nice to see you again.”
I give him a small smile back but turn towards the front when the professor starts introducing himself. I open my backpack and pull out my laptop and planner. I pull up the syllabus as he starts going over it.
Everyone told me this was going to be my hardest class this semester and while the professor lays out the syllabus I can see why. There are assignments due every day and partner projects due once a week.
The professor’s voice comes from the front, “Now I could give you a spiel about how partners were chosen and how it will benefit you, then give them to you at random but I am going to make it easier on everyone. Turn to the person next to you, they are now your partner for the semester. Get their name, number, schedule, and set up a time each week to meet. I am not changing your partners so don’t ask. Now everyone exchange information while I go around the room documenting each pairing.”
I turn back to Ajax, “Well looks like we are partners and the first assignment is due this week already. Do you have a busy schedule?”
He looks both uncomfortable and amused, hopefully, he isn’t dreading this partnership. His tone sounds happy enough when he says, “I’m pretty open, what about tonight? How about we make it a weekly thing and don’t have to make a new plan every week?”
The first week of classes started on a Wednesday instead of Monday which means a weekly Wednesday meeting would be after both classes of the week but before the due date Friday.
“Ya that sounds great, let me give you my number in case anything comes up,” He passes me his phone and I add my number, “text me so I have yours too.”
“Will do, so library at 7 pm?”
“Sounds great.”
I open my planner and write in our meeting at the library.
Just then our professor comes up, “Hi guys, what are your names?”
We both give the professor our information. He pauses at Ajax’s name, Ajax Stone, and even makes him spell it but then he keeps moving down the aisle.
I‘m surprised when Ajax asks, “So does this mean you’re a computer science major too?”
“Ya, I have always loved writing code so it just made sense. Although, it depends on if I can make it through this class. It is supposed to weed people out of the program.”
“I think we can handle it, especially now that we are partners.” This seems to be a more confident side of Ajax and I like it. He seems sure of himself when it comes to this.
After that, the professor starts class back up and I listen to him give the first lecture while I sip my coffee and take notes.
I can’t help the pull to keep looking at Ajax, and I even catch him looking at me too. He promptly turns back to the front every time but I always catch a smile on his lips. I think I might have a crush. And lucky me, I get to see him pretty often as his partner in this class.
Nine
Ajax
I can’t believe my luck. I really thought I was going to be at a disadvantage because I am not as outgoing as Jay, smooth as Kiran, or dominant as Nic but I knew I would at least get to know her faster than Jer since he is determined to stay as far away from her as possible. But here I am in a class with her and meeting her tonight for a weekly project. I imagine they’re all going to be extremely jealous. But I need this extra time with her if I’m going to somehow convince her I’m worth getting to know.
