A Sight To Behold

Chapter 3: Hell of a life

Charlie's POV:

I was never a morning person. If I ever had to choose between sleep or the future of my life, I would probably choose sleep. Of course that’s definitely not how I should really go about things now is it.

The piercing light of the morning sun streamed past the shades of the blinds, causing me to squint as i opened my eyes. I felt so tired and my head felt like a block, as if someone had knocked me out with a pan the night before.

I could not sleep a wink last night until the morning birds came to sing their dumb songs. As I looked a my self in the reflection of my phone, I was not surprised by my complexion; pale, looking unamused, eyebags becoming prominent and many more other side effects from my sleepless night.

I struggled to remember what happened last night until it all came flooding back to me as I stared at myself in the black mirror.

Immediately I bolted up and looked around at the doors that were left ajar by their occupants. Slowly I approached the doors and had a little peek until I fell back onto the couch and sighed in relief.

My head turned towards the clock pinned up at the kitchen wall.

9:03am

Within seconds of reading the time, my body left the couch and i was already panicking. s**t. i was going to be late for the first class of the year, not a good start.

As I ran to the bathroom door and attempted to push it open I realised that it was locked. Stupid as i was, i kept on trying to pull it open until the sound of a soft click was heard and out stepped none other than the guy who assaulted me yesterday, only that he was wearing nothing but a towel at his waist, water droplets still moist on his skin and dampening his hair.

We both exchanged awkward eye contact before I jumped back and held in a scream, “I’m sorry!” I shouted to him as i quickly ran into my room and grabbed my bag, rapidly stuffing my learning essentials into it without thinking and bolted right out of the house without looking back once.

Luckily during the bus ride, I had calmed down by a lot, why did I apologise to him? If anything he should have apologised to me.

I need to wipe my mind, cleanse it. This has been the worst start to my year, what did I do to deserve this?

As I stepped up in front of the gates of the university campus, I realised I was entirely alone. I knew no one in this campus, I wasn't exactly the generic social butterfly, if anything i was probably made out to be the leader of the antisocial social club.

I just hoped i would be able to make good friends throughout the year, just once.

I entered my designated classroom, which I found quickly without much effort, and tucked my text books nervously under one arm, staring around at the environment; a few students were already in their seats chatting to each other excitedly while some were gluing their eyes to their phone screens. Some were sitting on tables and bantering with each other and laughing, it seemed like everyone had already formed their friendship group and it appeared to me that i was the only one here who didn't know anyone.

I spotted an empty seat on the 4th last row of the lecture room and made an advance towards it, there were only a few people sitting in the same row and it seemed perfect for myself. As soon as I occupied the desk, the professor came into the classroom, everyone immediately hurried to their seats and settled down.

The professor was a middle aged man with a slightly burly build, rectangular glasses, a mild stubble and a normal navy blue suit with no tie. I wasn't too familiar with the staff members in the university.

“I'm Professor Salem, but you can call me Joe. i will be your psychology professor for this year. “ his deep but friendly voice reverberated around the lecture theatre as he took out a clipboard from his bag and began to cross names off.

“I see a few familiar faces. Now, i'm just going to tick off names on the roster, please reply if i call your name.”

Not long after the roster had been called, the door opened slowly and in walked a black haired asian male with ear piercings and an stoic face but intimidating aura. And again, with the unluckiness, it was him.

I started to get nervous again, looking down at my hands as I fiddled with them.

All eyes were on the figure, following him as he made his way up the steps to sit in the row behind me, setting his books on the desk and sat down as he slung his arm over the seat next to him.

The professor raised an eyebrow and squinted at his clipboard.

“And you must be…” the professor began to say before the other male interrupted him.

“Sebastian Jung.” his voice resonated around the room, though it only a bit deep it had a mysterious but entrancing tone. I racked my brain to the familiar name before realising that he was possibly the room mate that Jayce was talking about.

But if he screws around with girls all the time then why did he try to do...things to me? Unless he mistook me for a girl, I mean I wasn't exactly the tallest or most “alpha” of dudes but still...

“Ah yes…” the professor responded back, snapping me out of my unnecessary thoughts that I still held onto. He crossed his name off the roster list and put his clipboard down. “Well Mr. Jung I would really appreciate punctuality in this class.”

Sebastian tilted his head quickly to the side and did a tongue in cheek action, as if he were a little irritated at the professor's words.

Before anyone could say anything the heavy atmosphere was broken by the professors commencement of the lesson, to everyone's relief “Regardless, let us begin the course for this year. Please open your textbook to page 5.”

I quickly flipped open my textbook and skimmed through the first few pages to the designated topic, my eyes scanned the paragraphs and i began to highlight them. Psychology was in interesting topic for me, i would say that my childhood may have influenced what i've chosen it was only natural. Ever since my experiences, I’ve been wanting to know more about this, how the human mind works, so in the process, I could have the possibility of understanding and mend myself.

“Welcome to the second part of your course, to begin we shall have a discussion about how the human mind…”

Not long after the professor had started his talk, I felt someone tap my shoulder, I turned my head to see Sebastian looking right at me. For some reason, i felt vulnerable sitting so close to someone like him, his aura really tempted me to move a few seats down.

“Can I borrow a pen? I forgot mine.” he asked, but to me it felt more like a statement. I was dazed for a second before I snapped back to reality and awkwardly fiddled through my pencil case, trying to find an extra pen.

Does he not remember who I was? I didn't expect much though, what could he remember with all that alcohol he had possibly drank.

Maybe I should just get over it...like all those other people I once knew told me.

I spotted a spare pen lying at the back of my case, however as soon as I saw it I hesitated, it was silver and had initials engraved on the surface. It wasn't exactly a pen I would give to anyone, but it'd be a bit awkward to hand over the pen I have in my hand now since its ink is pretty low. Additionally I’m sitting the closest to him, both of us were sitting in the furthest rows and there was no one behind the 3rd last row. If I didn't give it to him, I would be a bit weary of how he would react.

“S-sure…” I responded back hesitantly as I handed him my pen, stretching out my arm and retracting to immediately.

“Cheers, “ He leaned back and began scribbling down notes in his book. I turned back slowly and bit my lip, staring at the words on my page.

Im sure he will return it, it's only just for one lesson.

Throughout the lesson i kept on turning my head back to take a look at Sebastian nervously, my eyes were always on the pen that he twirled effortlessly around his fingers. Though it was impressive to see, i wouldn't want the pen to accidentally fly out of his hands and be embedded into a wall.

Sometimes my eyes would catch the light off the piercings and earrings of his ear, the silver accessories he adorned were very intricate, there were a few small cartilage rings and two miniature crosses dangling crosses on his earlobe.

I wondered what made him decide to almost look like some failed punk rocker with a serious case of chronic deadpan expression and seriousness, pretty sure his black leather jacket may have given it away, but his cream coloured turtle neck was very contrasting to his entire attire.

Before I knew it, I realised i was criticizing the way he looked. I shook my head to myself and went back to listening intently to the class.

Time went by so quickly, within the span of 10 minutes or so class had already ended. As soon as the professor dismissed the students, everyone hurried to pack up their stationary, shoving their books carelessly into their bags or under their arms and shuffled out the door.

As i turned around to ask for my pen back a swarm of girls apparently from other classes burst into the room and excitedly pranced up the stairs while chattering enthusiastically. They grouped around Sebastian, linking arms with him as they eagerly talked to him.

“Come on sebastian you have to treat us to dinner tonight.”

“Yeh that's right you promised!”

“I said that? Alright then.” the male responded with slightly raised eyebrows as he shoved his books into his bag. He was dragged and lead to the exit of the lecture room by the swarm of females. He was indeed very popular, then its most likely to be the sebastian I knew about.My head followed him until he disappeared past the door, without realising I still needed my pen back.

I immediately got up from my seat, “Wait! My pen....” I began to say until I faltered and sighed. Great going, couldn't even get your damn pen back.

I bit my lip and shoved my books under my arms, hurrying out the door. Its ok, when he comes back to the dorm i'll definitely ask for it back.

6:00pm

Sebastian wasn’t back yet and the sky was already beginning to turn dark. I twiddled my fingers and leaned back in my desk in my room, or as i should say, our room. The room had two desks, since the other one was obviously occupied i decided to take this one, the smaller one, unfortunately. I looked at the larger desk and sighed, i assumed he didn't study much, if he hangs out often with girls and wastes time why does he need to have a much larger desk if he doesn't use effort in his grades?

I was salty but there was no point in being down in the dumps, I’d just have to wait for him a bit later, hopefully he would actually come back.

9.00pm

He was still not back yet.

12.00pm

As the clock struck midnight I immediately bolted up from my desk, my pent up frustration had got the best of me. I swung open my door and spotted Jayce and another dark haired male sitting at the kitchen table drinking a few cans of beer. Jayce immediately spotted me and waved, “Heya wanna join us for a bit of a drink?” he said as he held up the alcohol beverage temptingly. I smiled back awkwardly and shook my head.

“No thank you, I was just-” I began to respond before I was cut off by the other person.

“Hey! I'm jack! You must be the new roomie right?” The red haired male wearing a blue hoodie exclaimed to me.

I inhaled a huge breath of air before I smiled wearily back.

“Hello. I’m actually a bit tired, I’ll head to bed. It was nice meeting you.” I robotically responded back to him as a sighed and turned back into my room, shut the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed.

Somehow I felt like I wanted to get the hell out of here.

----

Again, I had fallen asleep out of nowhere.

When I peeked over to Sebastian's bed in the morning, I found that he wasn't there, the blankets and bed covers were barely even touched.

I wondered if something happened to him overnight, but when I asked a sleepy Jayce hugging his coffee mug and sitting stoned like a statue at the kitchen table, it was because he stayed over at some girls house, probably screwing her or something.

When I arrived at the classroom on campus I found him sitting at his usual seat, laid back with his arms stretched over the two seats beside him.

Before I could go up to him properly and settle my internal dispute over my pen, the professor had just entered the classroom and began to take the roll.

I reluctantly headed to the seat in front of him, yesterday the professor had told us that the seats we sat in for the first class were the designated seats for our whole year, so I had no choice.

I didn't want to make too much of a quarrel so I decided that I would speak to him properly after the class.

As soon as the lesson was dismissed I got up from my seat, stuffing all my things into my bag, all packed and ready. But as I turned around i found that he was being swarmed by the girls from yesterday again. Does this guy ever take a goddamn break, I waited for him all night yesterday but he never even shows up until now. Before he could be dragged away, i cleared my throat very loudly, prompting them all to turn their heads to me.

Their eyes settled on me, i paused my thoughts for a second as my palms began to sweat. Internally i was screaming at myself to pull through and stand up to him.

“I..uh..” I began to stutter before gripping my hands. “You borrowed my pen yesterday but you didn't even return it, did you lose it?i waited all night to ask you but you didn't even come back to the dorm. I dont think its very nice just to forget to return someone's properties!”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at me after an awkward silence, “I lost it. My bad, but it's just a pen? What's the big deal?”

“I-it's a very important item to me, it's not just any pen! I can't believe you lost it.”

“Did you say you waited all night to ask me that? Look...who are you again?” he said as the girls around me gave me a weird look.

My ears were burning at this point, without another second i bolted out of the room, instantly regretting regretting what i did. Its ok its just a pen, I can buy a new one, it's just a pen, I can buy a new one.

I stopped running until i hit the gates of the university and caught my breath.

But the pen is priceless to me...it was from...someone special.

I wiped the sweat away from my forehead and adjusted my bag. Yet another day has passed and I'm still doing greatttt, this is an amazing start to the semester. First i get clocked into a dorm with weirdos, then get sexually assaulted by some chronically drunk f**k boy and now I’ve lost one of my belongings. Just great.