The New Student

The first lecture for the morning started. Lucy sat in the third row, her hands were still shaking from earlier. She hadn’t been able to focus or write anything. She just kept staring at the blank page on her notebook.

"Why do you look like that" Zoe whispered, as she sat on the seat beside her just as the bell rang.

“How?”

“Sad… and distracted”

"I'm fine," Lucy lied, her voice low. "I’m Just tired."

Zoe patted her back softly as she looked towards the back of the room. "Don't let him get to you. You know Adrian. He’s just in one of his moods. Focus on class, you know this is the big one."

Professor Harrison, a tall skinny man with round black-rimmed glasses walked into the class. "Welcome to Advanced Literature. This semester, we explore the theme of 'Tragic Devotion.' To do that, you will be paired up for the entire semester to analyze the book. This project is forty percent of your grade. No exceptions and most importantly, no switches."

The students started murmuring. Lucy’s heart skipped. This was her chance. She looked toward the back, searching for Adrian. If they were paired together, he would have to talk to her. They could finally fix this.

"I have already assigned the partners based on your entrance essays," Professor Harrison continued, adjusting his spectacles. "I want conflicting ideas. I want debate."

He began reading names. Lucy held her breath.

"Adrian Matthews... with Zoe Vance."

Lucy was shocked and disappointed. "Oh, Lucy! I’m so sorry. This is so awkward. Do you want me to ask for a switch?" Zoe said.

"He said no switches," Lucy managed to say. She looked at Zoe, expecting her to be as frustrated as she was but strangely, she looked excited.

"And finally," the professor’s said, "Lucy Quinn... with Jonathan Blake."

Lucy blinked. Jonathan?

She hadn’t heard that name before. She looked round the class and then, she saw him at the back. It was the guy from earlier, the one who had seen her in the hallway. He was sitting at the last row, leaning casually against the chair. When their eyes met, he didn’t smile, he just nodded at her slowly.

"Alright,go and pair up with your partners. Discuss your various parts of the project.' You have twenty minutes."

The students hurriedly stood up. Zoe hurried off to find Adrian, leaving Lucy sitting alone. A minute later, she saw someone standing close to her desk

Jonathan pulled out the chair close to her and sat down. He was even more intimidating as he was closer. He smelt like grease and engine oil.

It was way different from the expensive perfumes and colognes Lucy was used to.

"I guess we’re stuck together Quinn," he said. His voice was extremely low and deep.

"It seems so," Lucy said, trying to regain her composure.

She opened her textbook to the first chapter.

“I already read this book twice, I think it focuses on sacrifice. The male lead chooses his family over his own desires. It’s romantic, when you think of it. To be that loyal”

Jonathan laughed out sarcastically.

"Romantic? You actually think it’s romantic?"

he asked,

"It’s stupid. It’s not beautiful in anyway. He spends his entire life being miserable because he’s afraid to let his family down. That isn't loyalty, Lucy . That’s being a coward."

Lucy immediately felt angry. "It’s not being a coward to honor your family. There are things bigger than our own feelings. Families, traditions, the people who rely on us…"

"And who relies on you?" Jonathan interrupted. His honey-brown eyes locked onto hers intensely."You talk about loyalty. From what I saw in the hallway this morning, your version of loyalty looks a lot like being treated like a slave."

Lucy flinched as if someone hit her "You don't know anything about me or about my life."

"I know you’re a girl who's being mistreated and still calls it love," he said bluntly. He voice was louder now. He didn’t sweeten his words. "If your loyalty means you let people belittle you, then I’m sorry, it’s a prison”

"We are here to discuss our projects, not me or my love life. Mr Jonathan Blake." Lucy snapped, her voice trembling with anger. She hated that she felt vulnerable, she hated that Jonathan felt like he knew her too well.

Jonathan leaned back, a small smirk appeared on his lips. "The book is your life, Lucy. That’s why the professor paired us. You’re the girl who lives by the stupid rules, and I’m the guy who thinks the whole system should be burned down. This is going to be a long semester."

Across the room, Lucy caught sight of Adrian and Zoe. They were seated close, looking over a notebook. Adrian was actually smiling.., a real, genuine smile she hadn't seen in months. Zoe laughed at something he said, playfully hitting his shoulder.

Lucy immediately felt jealous and frustrated.

"They look busy," Jonathan said quietly. He had followed her gaze. His tone completely changed, like he pitied her "Is that the guy? The one you’re sacrificing yourself for?"

"He is my fiancé," Lucy said, her voice was still shaking.

"He's a fool," Jonathan replied sharply.

He stood up as the professor called for everyone’s attention. "Here is my number," he said, he quickly wrote it on a piece of paper and shoved it too her. "We need to start the outline tonight. Don't be late. I don't like waiting for people, I have better things to do."

Lucy stared at the paper. Her heart could not stop racing, she could still feel his presence. He was rude and blunt. He had insulted her beliefs and her relationship within ten minutes of meeting her.

But soon, she realized she was no longer thinking of how Adrian had ignored her earlier, but rather her only thoughts were on Jonathan, the new transfer student who seemed to enjoy getting on her nerves.