Find Me Again, Peter

Chapter 1

I slammed my door close and sprint from the university’s parking lot to our program’s building because I am going to be late.

I heard a couple of familiar voices that called out my name but I don’t have time to socialize right now.

Upon arriving to our classroom, I heaved a sigh and sat on the teacher’s desk trying to catch my breath. My classmates are laughing at me. I already look like a tired potato.

“You look like you just did a marathon.” One of my classmate commented.

“Look like? More like I did.” Then they all laughed.

“She better pass me, you know.” They laughed even more.

I saw our professor walking towards the classroom as I looked through the window so I quickly went to my chair.

“Ms. Sandoval, fast runner huh?” The whole class laughed and I just winked at them.

We proceed with the class.

It’s the start of the 2nd semester so this whole week is not going to be stressful as most professors will only give out syllabuses since it’s still our adjustment week.

Most of the students in my current class are all familiar so it’s not that hard to socialize anymore. We’re on our 3rd year and just one more sem we’re almost through college. I can’t wait to get over this college life that they romanticized way back in high school saying that it’s the most fun time of my academic like.

Our professor dismissed us early so I immediately went to the park to meet up with my friends from other programs.

“Hey there runner!” Ethan then put her arms around my shoulder upon seeing me pass the fields.

I immediately removed his arms around my shoulder and raised a brow at him. “Personal space much?”

“Why so grumpy? Woke up on the bad side of the bed?” I ignored his antics. I don’t have time to deal with him.

“Ignoring me now?” he still continued.

“You realize I’m a junior right? And not one of your gullible freshmen?” I said while obviously showing him that I’m irritated at him.

He then smiled and just looked at me. Touche I guess. I rolled my eyes at him at continued walking to my friends that I saw not long after.

“Here comes the tiger.” Shaira said the moment I sat in front of them.

“I hate this sem.” I complained.

“Already? It’s just the first day.” Anj said.

“Exactly.” They both laughed at what I said.

We talked just to waste time until Shaira had to go to attend her next class. Anj and I will be classmates on my next class and we still have like 2 hours to waste.

I’ve been friends with these two since high school together with 4 other guys but it’s just the 3 of us that studied in the same university. We still tried to catch up on our free time though but it’s mostly just the 3 of us.

“I heard Kim just got home yesterday from the states.” Anj said.

“Yes. Lucky bastard. He said their classes is not until the 24th which is like 2weeks more of break for him and Joshua.” I said. We met in the US as we also attended my brother’s graduation which is in the same class with his brother too.

“How’s your brother by the way?” she asked again.

“He’s good. He actually plans on going home after 2months. He just have to finish his prior commitments abroad.” I answered. “Why? You miss him?” I teased her.

Anj and my brother used to go out on a date but never really get to be in a relationship. They said it’s complicated and I don’t know why.

Anj crumpled a tissue and threw it at me.

“I just asked. Is there a problem with that?” she said defensively.

“Alrighty.” I shrugged and she lightly hit my head.

We then started to walk towards the building where we’ll have our next class. Shai messages us that they were already dismissed and she does not have any class for the rest of the day so she’ll go straight home and invited us if we want to come over to help her pack. This semester we all planned to stay at my apartment since I don’t have a roommate anymore. Shai will be moving in with me by the end of the week and Anj will move in by next month since she’s leasing her current apartment and the last month for her contract is this month.

We texted Shai back that we’ll go straight to her once we’re done with all of our classes today.

Some of our classmates for the subject is already there. This is just a minor subject so some students from other Programs are taking this course too.

We sat and I noticed this guy at the back typing something in his laptop. He’s the only student among us that looks so busy which is really strange since again it’s still our adjustment week. Maybe he felt like someone was looking at him so he looked back at me too.

I smiled at him when our eyes met, and he smiled too. His face is not that familiar, and I’ve been in this university for 3 years already and I never recognize his face at all. A transferee maybe. I didn’t bother to talk him because if he is taking this class too then we have the whole semester to talk to. Not that I plan on getting to know him but you know, you’ll also gain close friends with each different subject throughout the whole semester since we’re not blocked section.

After a few minutes our professor came and gave the syllabus for the whole semester. Halfway through the class I received a text message from our Organization President to meet her in the org room for a quick meeting.

I am a part of a Journalism Organization, our University really has great partner publishing company and good program for Literature that’s why this is my first choice when I’m deciding in which university to apply and enrol.

After the class I just told Anj that she should go ahead as I need to attend our Org meeting.

“Hi, Lucy right?” the guy from the class earlier suddenly approached me.

“Yes.” I answered. “and you’re?” I asked too. To be honest I’m not that really good with names.

“Sean.” He laid his hands offering a handshake and I shook his hands.

“You’re going to Org building too right?” He said which left me confused.

“How did you know?” I asked him.

“Psychic abilities.” He seriously said and even tapped his head like signing telepathy. I made an even confused look.

“I’m kidding. I’m also headed there. New member.” He said finally after noticing that I am starting to feel bothered.

“You got me there for a minute” I laughed a little. “New member? Transferee?” I asked.

We started to walk towards the org building.

“No. I’ve been here since my freshmen year. Just obscure.” He said.

“Trying to keep it mysterious huh?” I joked. He smiled and shrugged his shoulder in response.

We did a bit of small talk on the way to the room. I greeted other members when we arrived.

My job is actually the ones who do fact check to make sure that whatever stories we publish are indeed facts. So it’s mostly research and I used to have someone to help me with the tasks but she graduated last year so for the past semester I’m the only one doing all the work.

“I know it’s stressful to do all these research while you’re also doing your school works so we accepted Sean’s application and you will start collaborating on the next article once we received that from our writers.” Amara said which is our Org president when she gets me attention in the middle of the meeting as one of the agenda.

“I hope you too will get along.” She even added and we both just nodded. I don’t think I will have problem working with Sean as he seems to be a nice.

The meeting actually lasted long then expected when they all decided to order pizza to do some chit chats. I got to Shai’s apartment a little late than the agreed time. I saw them already finished packing as they are now watching something on the television.

“Hey, have you eaten already?” Shai asked. I nodded. “How’s the meeting?” She added.

“So,” I said before scooching myself in between the both of them in the sofa. “I have a new guy.” I continued then I get some of the popcorn from the bowl that Anj holds. They both look shocked.

“Chill! A new guy from the org happens to be our new fact checker so I’ll be spending more time with him for org works.” I clarified and I almost laughed at their reaction.

“Is it the guys that approached you earlier? The transferee?” Anj asked.

“He’s not a transferee. He’s third year too. He just want to be lowkey.” I said.

“Who?” Shai asked, obviously clueless of who we’re talking about.

“Sean Arthur Gomez.” I answered and then get some popcorn again.

“Oh, Sean? You don’t know him?” Shai asked. Now it’s Anj and I’s turn to be confused as to why she knows him.

“He’s on our debate team. Actually, the only guy from Engineering that’s on our debate team.” She added to answer the confused look we had.

“But yeah, now that you mention it he really prefers to be lowkey. He’s always the the first to arrive and leave whenever we have a meeting then.” Shai said and remembers their debate team.

I can say Shai’s the smartest among the 3 of us. She took Political Science and is part of the debate team.

“Good to know.” I said and the both chuckled.

“I don’t want to have the same colleague like Kate anymore. She..” I tried to find a word that sounds less offensive. “talks a lot?” I said and they both laughed at it.

“I remember those times when she screams in the middle of the cafeteria once she sees me. I mean it’s good that she likes to hang around with me but sometimes I just want to…” I then grabbed a pillow and screams frustrated. They laughed again at that.

“Enough with that. She already graduated so you’re free.” She took the pillow from me.

“Help me bring down those boxes to the car so we can clear up some of the boxes here and move it to Lu’s apartment.” We helped her carry the boxes and we went to my apartment and stacked the boxes to one of the empty room I have.

Shai and Anj went home a little late as we didn’t notice the time since we watched the series we agreed to watch together.