My campus life

chapter 5 first lecture

Olivia’s first lecture at Westbridge University was a complete disaster — a series of little misadventures that left her frazzled, embarrassed, and slightly convinced that college was secretly designed to humiliate freshmen.

It started the moment she stepped outside her dorm. The Humanities building was enormous — a towering brick structure with countless staircases, hallways, and lecture halls. Olivia thought she had memorized the campus map, but in reality, it was more like trying to navigate a labyrinth. She got lost not once, not twice, but three times before finally spotting the correct entrance. Each wrong turn made her stomach twist tighter, and she could feel students passing her by, giving quick glances and smirks that made her cheeks burn.

On her way in, she collided with a professor juggling fifty papers in his arms. They flew into the air like confetti. “Oh no! I’m so sorry!” Olivia squeaked, scrambling to pick them up. The professor muttered something under his breath but thankfully didn’t look too annoyed.

As if that weren’t enough, she tripped over a stray backpack just outside the lecture hall and nearly face-planted in front of the entire class. “Nice entrance,” a familiar voice whispered behind her.

Olivia froze. It was Ethan Gray, leaning casually against the wall, that usual smirk on his face. Her stomach flipped, and her ears burned red. She hastily gathered her notebook, muttering, “Hi… hi… hi,” in what she was sure sounded like a weird, stuttery chant.

Did he just notice me? she thought, her mind spinning.

Oh no, my notebook fell!

Why did I even say hi like that?

Finally, she found a seat, hoping the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Professor Harrison began the lecture on literature analysis, his voice calm but carrying that unmistakable air of authority. Olivia tried — really tried — to focus, scribbling notes and flipping pages, but her thoughts wandered like leaves in the wind.

Why does everyone else have such perfect notebooks?

Why do my shoes squeak so loudly every time I shift?

Why did I just say ‘hi’ so awkwardly to Ethan?

Her wandering gaze fell on a girl sitting a few rows ahead, typing captions into her phone mid-class, completely unconcerned by the lecture. Olivia raised an eyebrow. Does she not care about grades? she wondered, half-jealous and half-intrigued.

During the short break, Olivia seized the opportunity to meet more of her classmates. First was Malik, a tall guy with a constant piece of gum in his mouth, which he chewed so loudly it was almost rhythmic. “Hi,” Olivia said cautiously. “I’m Olivia.”

Malik flashed a grin, popping the gum. “Nice to meet you, Freshie. Watch your step around here — it’s a jungle.”

Then came Ava, who seemed glued to her phone and obsessed with creating memes. She showed Olivia a series of hilarious edits of campus life — students tripping, professors scowling, and even Ethan in a few exaggerated poses. Olivia laughed, grateful for the comic relief.

Next, she ran into Jordan, a football player who seemed to flex unconsciously at every opportunity. He raised an eyebrow and said, “Hey, Freshie, hope you’re ready to survive this place.” Olivia blinked, trying not to stare at his ridiculously muscular arms.

Finally, there was Kim, a quiet genius who whispered answers to anyone who asked and carried a stack of books that looked almost impossible to balance. Olivia noticed Kim glancing at Professor Harrison’s notes as if she had memorized the lecture in advance. How is she so perfect? Olivia wondered, feeling a mix of awe and intimidation.

By the end of the day, Olivia was exhausted, her mind spinning from navigating new faces, lecture halls, and social chaos. Her feet ached, her backpack felt like it had gained ten pounds, and she was convinced that college was really just a circus disguised as education.

Outside the lecture hall, Tasha and Mia were waiting, catching Olivia up in their familiar, playful energy. Tasha smacked her lightly on the shoulder. “You survived! Barely, but you did it,” she said, grinning.

Mia wrapped an arm around her, laughing. “Welcome to Westbridge! You’re going to need all the energy you’ve got… and maybe some bubble wrap for your dignity.”

Olivia laughed despite herself, feeling a tiny spark of relief. Maybe she wasn’t completely hopeless. Maybe she could survive this chaos. Or maybe, she thought with a nervous grin, she was just the perfect kind of disaster to fit right in.