Franny Framagucci hurriedly pushed past throngs of people in the corridors, earning more than a few unkind looks from the other students. Her appearance suggested someone not to be trifled with. Even with the softening eye makeup, red lip gloss and cute layered outfit, her expression gave the impression that she wanted something to kill.
Scanning door numbers for a hint as to where her first class could be, she clutched her files to her chest protectively and pulled down her skirt from where it had ridden up, again. Her hectic first day in college was already off to a bad start, and Franny had worn out her fingernails from constant biting.
Franny's terrible mood climbed into unexplored heights when she tripped over someone's stray foot, sending her crashing face-first onto the floor, books scattering everywhere. Grumbling some of her choicest swear words under her breath, she pushed herself up as an extremely apologetic girl around Franny's age rushed to scoop up the littered papers.
"I- I am so sorry- I didn't mean to- complete accident-" she stammered, refusing to meet Franny's eyes. Franny sighed and shook her head, rubbing her now sore elbow as she gathered her things together.
"Nevermind. I shouldn't be running anyway in a crowded place like this," Franny muttered. She glanced at her watch again and alarm took over. "Dammit! I've never been late to a class before, and now I'm gonna miss my first ever lecture-"
"A lecture? Do you have Molecular Biology? I was just going there myself," said the small girl brightly, less embarrassed now that the conversation had moved away from her. Franny pushed her long ebony hair out of her face and gave a small smile.
"Uhm, yes. Well, we better hurry," she said, starting back down the hallway. The girl quickly grabbed Franny's arm, then released it when Franny shot her the most irritated look she could muster. "What?"
"It's- um- the other way."
Franny looked like she was about to burst into tears. The girl made a quick decision, and grabbed Franny's arm again, marching her back down the corridor to a chorus of other people's sniggers. Franny took a couple of deep breaths and surveyed her new acquaintance.
She was fairly short, as she looked just over 5 feet tall. She had chocolate brown hair that was pulled into a short ponytail, with heavy bangs that fell into her dark brown eyes. She had smooth, freckled skin, and fairly average looks. She looked tiny next to Franny, which probably explained some of the earlier nervousness.
The small, dainty girl pulled the tall, tanned young woman around yet another corner, and let her arm fall back to her side as their classroom loomed into view. Franny gave her a small smile, then shifted a few files so she could extend a friendly hand.
"Thankyou. I'm Franny, by the way."
The girl looked apprehensively at the offered hand, as if she was unsure whether or not Franny had forgiven her for her earlier klutziness. Taking it timidly, she said,
"...Uhm, nice to meet you, Franny. I-I'm Mandy. You wanna go in now?"
Franny nodded, pushing open the door. She paused slightly before entering, just observing the new surrowndings. Mandy poked her in the back, forcing both girls through the door. The elderly professor raised an eyebrow in question, and Franny shrugged before grinning sheepishly. The professor, Mr. Thomas, just chuckled slightly before turning back to the massive whiteboard. Franny heard Mandy give a small sigh of relief, and they both began to carefully pick their way through occupied chairs. Sitting down tiredly in an empty seat, and mindful of the many sets of eyes trained in their direction, Franny tried to focus her mind on the subject.
She had just finished copying down Mandy's notes half an hour later when someone knocked on the door.
10 minutes earlier...
Cornelius slammed on the brakes of his old Toyota Hilux, cursing himself for being late. He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbing his backpack from the passenger seat and hurling himself out of the car. Drizzling rain began to fleck the man's face, darkening his mood as he slammed the door shut.
On all of the days I had to sleep through my alarm, why this one! He thought to himself angrily, fumbling with his set of keys. Getting more agitated by the second, he thrust a random one into the socket and crossed his fingers. It clicked. Sighing gratefully, he yanked it out again, then checked his watch. He groaned, and strode across the deserted carpark. There was no point hurrying now, being a few more minutes late wouldn't make a difference.
Running a hand through his unruly hair, Cornelius climbed up the steps and into the massive campus before he realised that he had no idea what seminar he was in first. Stomping his foot most childishly, Cornelius dropped his backpack in the empty hallway and rifled through a load of books for his timetable. Ripping it from a neatly organised folder, he scanned it furiously.
Exhaling loudly, he stuffed the timetable in his bag again, swinging it over his broad shoulders. Molecular Biology. Easy. After attending college for years, he knew his way around the place. And he knew that Mr. Thomas was the softest professor in the building. Shaking droplets of water from his hair, he paced up a set of stairs and through a number of hallways. Finding door number 26, he knocked briefly and entered.
Franny didn't look up from her (or rather, Mandy's) notes as the professor was interrupted yet again. She half-registered some murmured apologies, but it was Mandy's giggling and nudge in the ribs that made her glance in the direction of the door.
A tall young man, about her age, was speaking quietly to the professor. He was wearing an large college jumper which suited his lean frame, and long, faded blue jeans. He had the most endearing blonde hair, which stood in loose spikes around his head. He was clean-shaven, and had a defined chin and a long, straight nose. His sparkling blue eyes were unhindered by glasses, and complimented his pale skin perfectly. Franny devoured the sight of a raindrop running the length of his neck.
Mandy glanced over at her new ally, and had to elbow Franny again. She was staring at Cornelius Robinson open-mouthed, and hadn't even noticed. Franny blushed furiously, but continued to watch from the corner of her eye as the boy sat down quickly in a front row seat. She wasn't the only one. Franny counted four other girls sneaking glances at the famous scientist.
Since when had little 'Lewis' decided to break a million girl's hearts? She wondered, chewing on a pencil as she contemplated the back of his head. I suppose anyone would grow up if you hadn't seen them for 4 years, she told herself silently. Mandy was still stifling a giggle behind her hand. Franny rolled her eyes and watched as Cornelius pulled a pair of glasses from his backpack. He must still need them for reading, she reflected on thoughtfully, before mentally slapping herself. She couldn't believe that just one guy was breaking her focus in the class she truly wanted to excel in. Franny turned her attention back to the whiteboard and Mr. Thomas' droning voice, but soon found a certain someone proving to be a lot more interesting.
Cornelius adjusted his glasses, and rubbed the back of his neck. He couldn't shake the strange feeling that someone was watching him. Turning slightly in his chair, he examined the body of people behind him. Immediately he noticed at least three people shift in their seats. Weird. Cornelius was about to turn back around when someone caught his eye. She blushed and ducked her head, staring at her notes. Cornelius squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of her face. Turning back around quickly, his heart thumping loudly in his chest- if he wasn't much mistaken, he had just caught Franny Framagucci staring at him. He grinned.
Today was about to get a whole lot better.