Three

He dropped his bag on the sofa as he arrived at his penthouse. He brushed his hair with his fingers due to the stress that he was feeling. He went to the kitchen, picked up a cup, filled it up with ice cubes and water, and drank it. Then he made his way into the restroom, picked up his toothbrush, and brushed his teeth. His lips included thoroughly. 

Then he put his toothbrush down, put it back into the container, and gargled water. 

He looked himself in the mirror and said, "that was disgusting." 

Then he proceeded to go back into the kitchen and brought food and drinks into his living room which is only next to the kitchen. He moved his bag, sat down, grabbed the remote, and turned on the television. As he put down the remote and opened a bag of chips, he said, "that was embarrassing." 

A text message popped up. It was Mom. 

Hi, honey. How was the first day of school? 

He replied. 

It was okay, Mom. It's just the same feeling when I entered middle school. The only difference was when I tripped right into the plants and dirtied my pants. 

Her Mom replied with a hint of concern. 

Oh, honey. But you did not have any bruise on you? 

He answered. 

No, Mom. I am fine. Someone lent me some pants too. 

His mom got curious.

Is she good-looking? I bet she's the one for you. 

He knows his mom is giggling right now. He does not have any girlfriend before and did not even get attracted to someone. 

No, Mom. It's a guy. He's kind, and I'll be returning his pants someday when we will meet because I do not get to ask his name. 

Mom replied. 

Okay, honey. You better thank that man for showing you that there are kind people out there, and you have someone to depend on even though we're not there. 

Ethan continued to watch on his television. Then his stomach was growling. He picked up his phone and replied to his mom. 

Mom, I'm going to cook now and sleep right after. Talk to you tomorrow. 

And he put his phone down and decided to cook white chicken chili. 

As he prepared all the ingredients and put them into the pot, he remembered what happened earlier. He touched his lips. And then he brushed his lips with his finger aggressively. He thought, that man always causes me trouble.

Then he switched his gaze into his cooking and put it out of the stove. He grabbed one stool right at the kitchen counter, grabbed utensils, and proceeded to eat. 

He took one bite, and then he looked right at his back to watch the city starting to light up as the moon and stars already started to show.

My first day is full of mess. My pants have been dirtied. I met a man who's clumsy and stupid enough to get me all through this hell. On top of that, he got my first kiss. 

He's irritated. Then he took another bite and brushed that annoyance off and instead focused on the beauty of the city. He did not get to look and focus on this the other day when he first arrived on his unit. But now, he's amazed.

One last bite, and then he took his plate and utensils into the dishwasher. He turned it on and waited for it to finish washing. Then he took it out and arranged it into the dish rack. 

He turned off the television that has been still turned on. Then he went upstairs to get ready to sleep. He changed into his pajamas. Set the alarm and jumped into his bed.

Then he remembered that kiss again. That stupid kiss. That stupid guy. Stupid Troye. 

He closed his eyes and tried not to remember that irritating scene that makes him want to puke and brush his lips all over again. 

Later on, he drifted off to sleep. 

The alarm went off. 

He woke up, stretched his arms, and turned off the alarm. It is still 7:30 AM. His first class will be this 11:00 AM. He went downstairs and prepared breakfast: toast and juice. 

He worked out right after for a couple of minutes to maintain his shape. He felt it was this exercise that could help him pumped up. He felt that was enough, then he stopped. Grabbed his towel hanging on the chair and proceeded to use the shower, which is only right after the equipment, divided by walls. 

After a shower, he jumped right into the jacuzzi to fill it up with water. It's 9:30 AM. There's still much time left, he thought.

He remembered the pants that he borrowed from what he called Mr. Jeans. He got out of the jacuzzi, drained the water, and decided to wash the pants. He entered the room next to his bedroom where he can wash his clothes and all other equipment for cleaning. He put it into the washing machine, then he waited for minutes for it to be completely washed and to be dried. Then he grabbed one plastic where he put the pants, sealed it, and put it into his backpack.

He decided to take his car today. It is the Model X of Tesla, one of the most expensive vehicles there is. 

He got out of his unit, and he rode the elevators to reach the basement. Then he finds his car, got inside, and drove into the university.

As he drove into the university's parking lot, many people are looking their way into his car. 

I probably should never drive this car again, he thought.

Then he parked it into the spot. And as he got out, he almost hit the man that lent him pants. 

"Oh, shit. I am so sorry," Ethan said. "Are you okay?"

Mr. Jeans checked him out and said, "I'm fine. You're the guy who has my pants," then he smiled. 

"Yes. I actually have it right now," Ethan said while reaching his bag into the backseat. 

"No. Maybe return it next time that we see each other. I'm late for class."

"What?" he said while still reaching for his back, and as he looked around, he's not there anymore. 

And yet again, he did not get to ask his name. 

He got out of his car, closed it, and walked right into his first class into the Building of Evermist. He went straight into the elevator and noticed that it was full, so he decided to use the stairs. 

Just as he reached the 6th floor of the building, he entered the room indicated where he's gonna have his first class. 

He looked up the name above and mumbled, "BE 604." Then he went in. 

There's still not much student after past 11 AM. The professor is late. Or the professor is not just going to attend class this day. 

A girl sat beside him. He looked at her and smiled.

"Hi, I'm Chrystyn Rye, with all the Ys instead of Is," she chuckled. And he did too. 

"I'm Ethan Ring. It's nice to meet you." 

"I'm kind of late right now, right? But it seems like the professor is not attending his class today." 

"You got lucky."

"Yeah, I did." Then she went on with her phone. 

Ethan fiddled with his hands. Then he took out his phone and played games. 

"Guys, it's only 30 minutes left until this class ends, so I think it's alright to go now and go get your lunch," the girl announced. 

Chrystyn asked, "You want to go together? Have lunch?" Ethan nodded. 

They got up together and went into the cafeteria. There he chose brownie again as his dessert and some fried chicken. They sat right at the table for two. 

"We have the same schedule?" Ethan asked, putting the sauce into his fried chicken.

"Hm, let me see yours." He handed Chrystyn his schedule form.

"Yes, I can see we do have the same schedule."

"That's great. We can go together always," Ethan suggested. "Oh, no. I did not mean to creep you out. That's a suggestion," he said as he waved his hands.

"What? It's perfect! I don't know anyone on this course; my friends are at different universities with different courses. So, yeah! We should go together." 

"Great," he said as he continued to eat his lunch. 

He finished his lunch, and so did Chrystyn. They went together to their next class.

"Where is it?" said Chrystyn. 

"It's there, the Building of Pulley, 9th floor," Ethan pointed. "We should use the elevator." 

Chrystyn nodded. 

They went right into the building and used the elevator, with only the two of them inside. As they exit the elevator, she asked, "Where are you from?" 

He answered, "Province of Aston."

"Wow, that's far." 

"Yeah, I have to leave my family there for me to enter college."

"It's a sacrifice, but it's also for your own good," Chrystyn said. "We're here?" 

"I think this is it, BP 902," Ethan answered. 

They entered the room and noticed that there were already numerous bags placed in the seats, indicating that it's reserved.

"We should sit here," Chrystyn suggests, which is right in front of those reserved seats. Ethan agreed. 

The professor arrived and preparing his equipment and materials. Others have started entering the room as well. However, people with the seats in their back have still not arrived.

"Okay, let's start," the professor said, eyeing the vacant seats on their back. "You will introduce yourself, starting in the first row. We have to get to know each other even though this is just for one semester." 

The professor started, and those who are in the first row introduced themselves. 

Then second row.

"Hi, I am Chrystyn Rye. A city girl. I love attending class, and I love going to clubs," she said while laughing, and others did as well. 

"You're crazy," Ethan said while laughing as Chrystyn took her seat. "I'm up next."

"My name's Ethan Ring. I am old enough to be here in college, but I'm happy that I am finally here," he said, and as he was about to take his seat, the professor asked. 

"Why are you late in college? Care to share?" 

"I am the one in charge of the animals on our farm, while my sister is the one in charge of the vegetables and other crops. We're basically farmers, and I thought college would be far from my family, and I can't get to help on the farm. But I did muster up courage one day to go into college, finish my degree, and help them with what I have learned in this crouse." 

"It's good to hear that you went to college for the sake of expanding the farm and do a business out of it," the professor assumed.

Ethan just nodded. 

Right before he has taken a step to go back into his seat, he heard somebody said, "that's the man that kissed you, huh?" 

A group of men laughed. 

"A farmer kissed him," said the other man in a singing tone. 

People were laughing. He's here. Some of his friends are here. And they're classmates. 

Ethan looked directly at them, and they've stopped teasing him, then they took their own seats. They're seated right behind them. 

"You kissed him?" Chrystyn asked. 

"No, I did not."

"Yes, he did," said Troye, interrupting the conversation. 

"It was an accident. It was the game."

"Accident or not, you kissed me, and you cannot take that back." 

Ethan looked right into Troye's eyes and said, "Stop what you're saying. You disgust me." 

He's taken aback by what he said. Troye raised his brows. Chrystyn felt the tension between the two of them. 

I don't want any trouble, Ethan thought.