NEW PLACE, SAME JERK
I clutched my bag so tight my knuckles turned white, wind whipping past me as we raced on the bike. "SLOOOWWWW! STOPPPP!" I screamed, my voice nearly drowned by the roar of the engine. My heart pounded like crazy until, finally, we skidded to a stop outside the university. In a mix of relief and frustration, I swung my bag at him—lightly, of course—and he didn't even flinch, turning on his heel and walking straight to the classroom, leaving me trailing behind.
By the time we reached the classroom, we were already late. The door creaked open, and the teacher's eyes fell on him. "Raffy! Why are you late?" she asked. He didn't answer a word, simply shrugged and took a seat. She sighed, pointing to the last empty bench by the window. "You," she said, nodding at me, "come in." I muttered under my breath, "This jerk's name is Raffy… Ugh, unbelievable," listing a mental catalog of complaints as I walked to the front.
She smiled at me, introducing me to the class. "Class, this is your new classmate. Wateen, would you please introduce yourself?" I took a deep breath and said my name, keeping my voice steady despite my racing heart. The teacher nodded approvingly and instructed me, "Sit with Raffy." I let out a quiet, irritated murmur, "Ughhh, not again…" but obeyed.
Raffy had claimed the window seat I wanted, leaning back with his usual air of indifference. I knew better than to expect him to move. I settled beside him, surveying the classroom with critical eyes—students chatting in small groups, backpacks scattered, sunlight streaming through tall windows, and the faint smell of chalk lingering in the air. Everyone looked ordinary, but I couldn't stop judging, noting who seemed friendly, who looked serious, and, of course, who might secretly make my life even more chaotic.
As the class ended, Raffy's friends approached me, their smiles warm and welcoming. "Welcome!" one of the boys said, nodding with genuine praise. There were four of them—two boys and two girls, each a couple with each other. They introduced themselves—**Ayan and Zain** for the boys, **Maheen and Zara** for the girls—and chatted casually, asking, "So… are you Raffy's girlfriend?"
I let out a small laugh. "Thankfully… nothing like that, but unfortunately, a roommate," I murmured. Their laughter rang through the corridor. "You're going to be so bored in the hostel," one of the boys teased, only for Raffy to pick up his notebook and lightly tap him, a silent warning not to push too far.
Hira and Zara beckoned me to follow them outside the classroom. "Finally," I thought, relieved to talk to actual people instead of a wall like Raffy, who rarely responded. As we walked, they confided, "He can be so rude, but honestly, he's kind and pure-hearted."
Curious, I asked, "Wait… are you his girlfriend?" Zara laughed lightly. "No! Actually, the boy you just met, Zain, is my boyfriend. I asked Raffy? He doesn't have a girlfriend; he's just… not interested in girls."
I muttered under my breath, shaking my head, "He can never have one… with that horror attitude."
Just then, we noticed the teacher returning, and we quickly slipped back into the classroom, taking our seats. As the lesson started, I couldn't help but glance at Raffy.Thinking if he really don't have a girlfriend? Huh. Not a chance—at least not with that attitude of his.