Falling for you

Ruth walked through the hallway, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. It was her first day at this new university, and she didn’t know anyone except her friend Alex, who had recommended she transfer here. Thanks to Alex's dad working for the university's owner, they got free tuition. Ruth was a simple, kind, and naturally beautiful girl who wasn’t used to wearing makeup, especially not for school. She preferred to keep things natural, unlike many of the other girls whose heavy makeup seemed to change their faces completely. Alex was waiting for Ruth on the first floor, ready to show her around and help her find her classroom. “Hi, Ruth!” Alex greeted with enthusiasm as Ruth approached. Ruth smiled at Alex, and they exchanged a friendly cheek kiss. “Hey…how are you?” Ruth asked. “I’m fine! I’m glad you came early. Now I can give you a little tour before my class starts,” Alex said with a laugh. Ruth smiled. “Yeah, my mom insisted I come early so you wouldn’t have to wait too long.” Alex laughed. “Don’t worry, Ruthy. I’d wait for you no matter what! Just kidding.” She chuckled. “Anyway, shall we? Let me show you to your room.” Ruth nodded, and they headed to the third floor. On the third floor, Alex pointed out Ruth’s classroom. “This is your room, and if you need anything, you can find me over there.” She pointed to a room across the building. “And don’t worry about lunch; I can have food delivered to you. Just message me, and I’ll tell my dad to include you in the free student meals.” Ruth nodded and asked, “How about having lunch together, Alex?” Alex smiled. “Sure, but it depends on my friends. We have a group and usually eat together, but you can join us if you want.” Ruth felt a bit disappointed, hoping Alex would accompany her during lunch and on her way home, especially since it was her first time at the university. She didn’t know anyone else and was just starting to make new friends, so she felt a bit out of place. But she didn’t want to impose on Alex, so she agreed. “Lexxyyy!” shouted two girls from the building opposite, waving at Alex. “Hiiii!” Alex responded happily, waving back. “Uhmm…okay, Ruth. You know your room now. Just let me know if you need anything. I have to go; my friends are here,” Alex said, smiling. Ruth smiled back and watched Alex head downstairs. Ruth entered her classroom, feeling shy about mingling with her classmates. It was easy to tell that many of the students came from wealthy backgrounds, with their stylish clothes, expensive gadgets, and luxury accessories. She decided to sit at the back, where it was less crowded. During the middle of class, a guy walked in without acknowledging the professor, staring at Ruth for a few seconds before walking toward her. “What’s his problem? Why is he staring at me?” Ruth whispered to herself. She looked around, thinking he might be looking at someone behind her, but the guy stopped right in front of her. The classmates were whispering and glancing at them, even though the professor was still teaching. Ruth stared at the guy. He was incredibly handsome, tall, and fair-skinned, like a leading man straight out of a K-drama. He was the kind of guy you’d call perfect based on looks alone. He leaned closer to her and said, “That’s my seat, miss,” with a rough voice. Ruth froze for a few seconds, looking around to see if anyone was laughing at her, and then grabbed her bag and stood up. She found an empty seat at the back and sat down. The guy took his seat, and the professor continued teaching. Ruth realized how powerful this guy must be. She was curious about his status and why he commanded such respect from both the professor and the other students. A few days later... Ruth was busy writing an essay when she noticed the guy sitting in front of her. She still didn’t know his name until another guy stormed into the room, furious, and confronted him. “You’re such a traitor, Jacob!” the newcomer shouted at the guy in front of Ruth. So his name is Jacob, Ruth noted. Jacob remained silent, ignoring the angry guy, who continued to shout at him. “You bastard!” the man yelled, grabbing a chair. One of Jacob’s friends stopped the guy from using the chair as a weapon. Jacob finally stood up, staring down the other guy, as their classmates quickly left the room, leaving only Ruth, Jacob, and the angry man behind. Ruth felt nervous about the situation unfolding before her, but she was also curious about Jacob’s reaction and his true nature. She could see the fear in the other guy’s eyes as he held the chair, while Jacob remained calm, waiting for the man to make his move. “Have you had lunch?” Jacob asked the man. “Shut up! I’ll never forget what you did to me yesterday!” the man yelled, ready to attack Jacob. “Come on,” Jacob said, taunting the man to come closer. Enraged, the man lunged at Jacob with the chair, but Jacob dodged the attack, causing the chair to swing toward Ruth. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the chair came closer to Ruth. She quickly grabbed her book to shield her face, knowing it wouldn’t be much help. Jacob saw this and grabbed a chair, smashing it against the one heading for Ruth, stopping it just in time. Ruth was relieved the chair didn’t hit her, grateful to Jacob for stepping in. The other guy, realizing he couldn’t hit Jacob, backed away slowly before running out of the room. Still shaken, Ruth took deep breaths to calm down. Jacob approached her and handed her the notebook she had dropped. “Thanks,” Ruth said to Jacob. Jacob didn’t respond. He grabbed his bag and left the classroom. Their classmates returned, buzzing with gossip about what had just happened. “Why didn’t she leave?” one girl said. “She almost got hit, but Jacob stopped it just in time,” another girl remarked, giving Ruth a dirty look. Ruth kept quiet, listening to their chatter, still rattled by what had happened and worried about being caught up in their drama. The next day... “How are you doing after what happened yesterday? I heard you almost got caught up in Jacob and Dave’s fight?” Alex asked, concerned. Ruth smiled, thinking about the previous day. “I’m okay, thanks to Jacob stopping the chair just in time.” Alex smiled back but warned her friend, “You should avoid Jacob and his friends, Ruthy. You don’t want to get caught up in their trouble. Especially with Jacob, since people always seem to get dragged into his messes. Don’t get too close to him.” Ruth was puzzled, still unsure about Jacob’s role in the university and why he seemed to have so much influence. “Why, Lex? Who is Jacob, anyway? Why does he have such a big role here? It’s like he’s more in charge than the professors or seniors,” Ruth asked, confused. Alex sighed, stopping in her tracks. Ruth stopped too. “He’s the son of the university’s owner,” Alex explained. “Really? No wonder everyone treats him like royalty,” Ruth said, thinking it over. Alex nodded. “Exactly! So, stay out of his way to avoid getting caught up in his drama.” “Okay…” Ruth agreed quietly. As Ruth entered her classroom, she saw Jacob watching her from his seat. On her left was his friend, sitting where Ruth usually sat. Both of them were handsome and seemed to be staring at her. Unsure if she should continue to her seat, Ruth hesitated, knowing Jacob’s friend was still sitting there. She gathered her courage and approached her spot. “Uhmm…you’re in my seat,” Ruth told the guy sitting in her place. The guy laughed, saying, “Oh really, miss?” He stared at Ruth with a hint of interest. Ruth forced a smile, knowing they might be trying to embarrass her. One of Jacob’s friends sitting on his left spoke up. “So, is this the girl you mentioned yesterday, Jacob? She’s beautiful!” he teased, glancing at Ruth. “What? He talked about me?” Ruth wondered silently. Ruth felt uncomfortable with the comments Jacob’s friends made about her. “What’s your name, miss?” asked the guy sitting in Ruth’s seat. Ruth took a step back, uneasy with his approach, until Jacob spoke, seeing her discomfort with his friends. “Let her be,” Jacob said to his friends. “Well,” one of his friends replied, grinning. They both stood up, one of them saying, “If you’re not interested in her, Jacob, just let me have her,” with a smirk. Jacob just stared at them as they left. “Go ahead and sit,” Jacob told Ruth, who was standing beside him. Ruth took her seat, feeling relieved that Jacob’s obnoxious friends had left. She wondered if people might be wrong about Jacob; maybe he wasn’t so bad. From what she had seen, he seemed kind and even a bit gentlemanly, despite his reputation. CONTINUATION.....