In Search of a Ray of Hope

Chapter Three

As she approached closer, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. Was she indeed heading to the same classroom as me? Would she be a friendly face in this new environment?

She finally stood in front of me, and her friendly smile immediately put me at ease. "Hi!" she greeted warmly, her eyes sparkling with friendliness. Caught slightly off guard by her friendly approach, I responded with an awkward wave and a shy smile. "Hi," I replied, feeling a bit self-conscious but also relieved to have someone to interact with on this quiet floor.

I don't know why I'm starting to feel awkward when I'm alone with someone. I wasn't like this during my high school days. Wanting to break the awkward silence and ease the tension, I decided to start a conversation with the girl beside me. "It seems like we're too early," I said with a friendly smile, hoping to find common ground and make the situation more comfortable. The girl nodded in agreement, her smile mirroring mine. "Yes, it seems like it's still quite early," she replied. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief that she was receptive to my attempt at conversation. "I wonder what will happen to us on this first day of class," I added, trying to keep the conversation going and steer it towards a more engaging topic.

She chuckled softly, further lightening the mood. "I hope our day starts off well so that the entire semester will be enjoyable," she said optimistically.

As our conversation continued, I realized that I hadn't even asked for the girl's name yet. "Anyway, what's your name? I'm Calista," I said, eager to ensure I remembered her name this time. I had learned from past experiences that it's important to know the names of the people I interact with regularly, especially since I had recently encountered two other girls whose names I had forgotten. The girl smiled warmly and replied, "I'm Vanessa. Nice to meet you, Calista." Her friendly demeanor put me at ease, and I made a mental note to remember her name and make an effort to get to know her better.

As Vanessa and I continued our conversation, the topic naturally shifted towards our academic interests. "Was psychology your first choice?" I asked. "Nope, my first choice was actually medtech," she revealed. "I really appreciated that field, but I won't be able to pursue it because of personal issues." Her words carried a hint of wistfulness, and I could sense that there was a deeper story behind her decision. "Why medtech?" I asked, curious to learn more about her. I just hoped she wouldn't get annoyed with my questions since I'm the type of person who likes to ask a lot, especially when I really want to get to know someone. It seemed like the start of classes was still far off since we were so early, so it was better to chat here for now.

Vanessa paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before responding. "Ever since high school, I've been drawn to the sciences and the idea of using technology to improve healthcare," she explained. "I find it fascinating how MedTech combines laboratory work, research, and patient care, all with the goal of diagnosing and treating medical conditions."

Her passion for MedTech was evident, and I could sense the disappointment in her voice as she mentioned the personal issues that prevented her from pursuing that path. "I'm sorry to hear that," I expressed sympathetically, wanting to show support and understanding. Vanessa nodded, a hint of resignation in her expression. "It's okay. Sometimes life takes unexpected turns, and we have to adapt," she said with a small smile. As Vanessa and I continued our conversation about our academic interests, we were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. I turned to see the guard walking towards us, carrying a set of keys in his hand. He smiled warmly as he reached our classroom door and unlocked it, allowing us access to the room.

We stepped into the room, greeted by the stunning beauty of our surroundings. The glass windows offered a panoramic view of the buildings near our university, and we couldn't help but admire it. "The view here is amazing, isn't it?" I remarked, taking in the sight with appreciation. Vanessa nodded in agreement, a smile playing on her lips. "Yes, it's really beautiful. Especially when you don't feel like listening to the professor, you can daydream a bit," she joked, and we both laughed.

"Where do you want to sit? Let's sit together!" I asked Vanessa, eager to continue our conversation side by side. She walked towards the front seats, indicating her preference. "Sure, let's sit here together," she replied with a friendly smile, gesturing for me to join her.

As we settled into our seats at the front of the classroom, I couldn't resist asking Vanessa, "Why did you choose to sit in the front?" I was curious about her decision, considering that most people prefer to sit at the back when they enter a room for the first time. Vanessa chuckled softly before explaining, "Oh, it's just a safety measure against recitation. When you're in the front, professors are less likely to call on you because they know you're paying attention. It's risky to sit at the back." Her explanation made perfect sense, and I couldn't help but laugh at the truthfulness in her words.

A new student walked into the classroom and chose a seat at the back. Feeling a sense of camaraderie, I decided to approach her. "Hi there! What's your name?" I greeted her warmly, aiming to make her feel welcome in our class. Sensing the warmth of our interaction, I added, "It's pretty warm back there. How about we sit together at the front?" The student looked pleasantly surprised but smiled in response. "Hi! I'm Trisha," she introduced herself, appreciating the friendly gesture. "Sure, it's probably better to be in the front for easier listening," she agreed.