Chris woke up to the sound of loud voices in the hallway. His eyes were heavy from a lack of sleep the night before. He took in his surroundings. "New bedroom" he remembered.
He had just moved into his dorm yesterday. Smaller than his room at home but not by much. Just two desks, two beds and one nightstand between the two. His roommate hadn't moved in yet.
Chris rolled over and rubbed his tired eyes. Let out a huge yawn and was disgusted by his own morning breath.
He looked at his alarm clock. 7:36.
Shit.
He was late to his first day of classes. Introductory astronomy.
He jumped up immediately. Chris started looking around his messy dorm for clothes. He couldn't see without his glasses. Everything was in boxes. He was completely disoriented.
Fuck it. Chris pulled on his worn gray hoodie, a pair of jeans from yesterday, thick rimmed glasses and his old red converse. He found a box of Altoids to solve the breath problem. Shoved his notebooks in a bag and Chris was out the door.
Disoriented by the campus, he got out the map his dad had given him in case of emergency. He was fully aware of how silly he looked. As Chris made his way out of the dorm circle he searched for the Colter-Hawking lecture hall. Now in a full sprint.
On any other occasion Chris would be enjoying this. the crisp morning air of a London autumn filled his burning lungs. People rushing by consumed with their own lives. He never got much of this living in Devon. The farm boy who got excepted to London university. He never dreamed this would happen.
Chris originally wanted to be a musician. His parents were encouraging. But, being English, he never thought he was any good. He enjoyed it so much, though. That's why he did it. Not for anyone else. Just to somehow get out into words what he couldn't when his fingers weren't on the piano. But, he always knew no one would want to hear it. So he chose history and linguistics. Not his passion but a definite interest.
He looked at his watch. 7:43. This was not a good start to college. One more block to go. Chris approached the corner with his heart pounding, "nervous and out of shape" he mumbled to himself.
One block to go. He took the corner fast. Not expecting to collide into oncoming pedestrians.
"oh shit. I'm sorry man. Are you ok?" Chris said still out of breath. He reached out his hand to help the poor guy up. He looked just as disoriented by the campus as chris did.
"It's fine, mate. Sorry. I'm late to class. Oh-um, Do you know where the colter-hawking lecture hall is by chance?" said the man as he stood up, Chris was surprised by his height. Not many people were taller than he was.
"Yeah, actually! I'm headed there now. Intro Astronomy. You're going the wrong way."
"oh bloody hell," the tall man said pointing to the building behind him. "Right there?"
"I think so. It's my first day." Chris said as they both started jogging.
"well I'm glad I ran into you! I'm Jonny by the way." he said.
Chris immediately noticed that this man had the greenest eyes he had ever seen. They were they eyes that make you trust a stranger.
"Chris. Nice to meet you. Your first day too?"
"Yeah got in this morning and not off to a good start." he laughed. He had his books in his hands and headphones around his stubbly neck.
"Well at least I'm not alone!" Chris laughed.
The two freshman ran in the doors of the building and tried their best to stifle their heavy breathing. Making their way through the deserted corridors.
They sat in the back of the class next to one another. Just in time for attendance. Jonny and Chris were pleased to know they weren't the only ones who slept in.
"Gabriella brunst"
"Here"
"Richard Bracker"
Not here.
"Jonathan Buckland"
"Erm, here." said Jonny.
"Terrence Crawford"
Not here.
"Christopher Martin"
" Oh um yes that me."
Feeling a bit more settled into the class and having avoided a tardy, Chris pulled out his notebook.