2022

  Chris

  Throughout my life, making new acquaintances has never come easily to me. Adapting to new conditions and environments has always been painful, which is why my first day at the university, where thousands of unfamiliar faces rush past at once, drives me nearly insane.

  I squeeze my eyes shut at the sound of loud voices and try to get used to a new life, student life.

  In front of me is a board filled with schedules for just about everything imaginable. I want to make sense of it. I even hold a pen and a notebook, ready to write down times or course names. But in this chaos, it is impossible to focus.

  Someone bumps into me and knocks my backpack to the floor. I am not hot-tempered, so I silently pick it up. The guy apologizes and calls me “bro.” I raise my hand in a gesture of peace, because there is no point in starting an argument on the first day.

  He leaves so quickly that I do not even get a good look at him. It is as if he dissolves into the crowd. Fine by me. I did not come here to make friends. More than anything, I just want to get through the exhausting lectures as soon as possible and go home to my favorite computer games.

  Dozens of students surround me from all sides. Time to put the pen and notebook away. There is no point in staring at letters if you cannot understand what they mean, even if it is your native language a million times over.

  "Chris!" I hear behind me.

  I turn around, but there are too many people and my eyes dart everywhere. Then I notice a girl waving at me.

  "Chris!"

  I raise my hand uncertainly. Who is she? I am seeing her for the first time.

  I step closer. A blonde walks toward me. Her lips, painted with bright scarlet lipstick, stretch into a wide smile. Her teeth are straight, although the two front ones are slightly large and protrude a bit. It does not spoil her beauty at all.

  "I’m Chris. Do we know each other?"

  "Of course we do. Did you forget me?" the girl says in surprise. "I helped you with the entrance exam test."

  "Oh!"

  Yes, now I remember. Back then she was dressed more simply and wore no makeup. I never learned her name. After the exam, she disappeared somewhere.

  "Sorry. You look a bit…"

  "More impressive?"

  "Yes!" I break into a smile, my cheeks flushing. Her straightforwardness embarrasses me.

  The blonde takes my arm and talks easily, casually.

  "From now on, we’re at university. This is a place where the green light is always on for those who look bright. My name is Louisa."

  "Louisa," I repeat shyly. Imagine that. I had not planned on making acquaintances on the first day.

  Anna

  Shadows cover the square in front of the building, where hundreds of people have gathered. Students sit on the lawns, on the steps leading to the building, on benches around it, and even on the curbs along the walkway. I stand somewhere in the middle. In my hand are two large notebooks. A pink backpack hangs from my shoulder, holding a pencil and a couple of ballpoint pens.

  The day is sunny, and the heat is already beginning to press down.

  For some reason, I look around and examine the students gathered in small groups of three or four. My heart begins to beat faster, because I hear not only real voices but thoughts as well. I feel uncomfortable.

  "Hey!"

  I turn sharply. A pretty girl with light hair stands in front of me. Her bangs are held back with a barrette, pinned to the side. Lip gloss shimmers in the bright sunlight. She is wearing a flared plaid skirt and a white blouse.

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  "Oh. Hi."

  "What year are you?"

  "Today is my first day."

  "That explains why you’re standing here alone," she replies with a smile. Then she extends her hand. "My name is Megan Doran. Third year. I know everyone in this building. And you?"

  I shake her hand and introduce myself.

  "Anna. Anna Powell."

  Megan looks me over appraisingly.

  "Another Barbie doll with pink brains."

  I try not to pay attention to the thought. I love the color pink not because I am stuck in childhood or lacking intelligence. I am emotional, sensitive, and vulnerable. It is the color of joy, and pink is appropriate everywhere and always.

  "I need to get to a classroom," I say apologetically and move forward. My fingers dig into the sharp edges of the notebooks. I understand that unlike school, university will be a serious trial.

  Megan follows me.

  "I’ll help you."

  We enter the building and stop at a large schedule board.

  "What’s your major?"

  "Information security," I answer.

  Megan freezes for a second, as if trying to decipher my nature. I turn away. I do not want to listen to her thoughts. She slowly runs her finger down the lists, and I notice her beautiful manicure.

  "Here! Classroom number eight. Second floor." She looks after me. "Good luck, Anna!"

  I do not answer, because I do not know whether that was her thought or her actual words.

  Jason

  My first thought about the university is that St. John’s is not just a place where my brain will be tortured. This place is seriously cool.

  As I pull up, I am already anticipating a fun day.

  "Mom, you should see it!" I climb out of the car, slam the door shut with my foot, throw my backpack over my shoulder, and keep my phone in hand. An important person is on the line. "Stop worrying so much. I promised I’d be careful… Mom, I’m not that stupid kid anymore. I turned eighteen not long ago, after all… Yes, Uncle Bill already left. But he promised to fix the old bike, so I’ll have my own transportation soon. Come back from your business trip as soon as you can, Mom, and I’ll tell you everything."

  My mother’s affectionate words give me energy. I end the call, slip the phone into my pocket, and stop, looking at my new life.

  "Well then… Jason McKnight is coming your way, guys!"

  I snap my fingers. Sparks scatter across the lawn and quickly fade.

  Mathias

  I walk down the corridor, feeling out of place. I am not supposed to be here. I had to give up my dream to satisfy my parents’ wishes. I promised them. In short, this is an attempt to prove that I am hopeless.

  Lost in thought, I bump into a guy near the schedule board, apologize, and quickly blend into the crowd. I do not want to draw attention to myself.

  Two girls look at me, exchange glances, and giggle. I glance at my watch. The lecture is about to start, and I am still looking for that damn classroom number eight.

  A girl in pink boots rushes past me.

  "Funny," I think, "but the skirt is too short."

  Suddenly she turns sharply and fixes me with an angry glare. Her behavior shocks me. I did not say anything out loud. I did not say anything at all. Yet she acts as if she is ready to slap me for my improper thoughts.

  At least, that is what I expect. She opens her mouth to say something, but then, as if coming to her senses, quickly disappears behind a door. Thanks to her, I notice the number eight.

  I enter the classroom and look around. Among everyone present, one girl stands out. She looks straight at me, making me feel embarrassed. It is as if she is looking at me on purpose. At first glance, she seems pretty. Long blue-black hair and blue eyes outlined with black liner. Her clothes are dark, but not black. She fidgets with a pencil in her hands without lowering her gaze. At that moment, I feel an overwhelming urge to disappear. I notice an empty seat behind her just in time, walk over, and sit down, dropping my backpack on the floor.

  The girl turns around, and something like a smile appears on her face.

  She is so cute. She probably wants to say hello to me, but the words get stuck in my throat. Our eyes study each other relentlessly. I have no thoughts at all, only a growing warmth in my chest.

  Suddenly, I think that whether this is fate or simply how it was meant to be, I did not end up here for nothing. Despite my reluctance and my own bad luck, I have found something important. Something that is going to change my life forever.

  Krista

  My punctuality is something to envy. I woke up early and left the dorm early. I was among the first to arrive in the classroom. For an hour, I watched as the room filled with new people. During that time, I managed to get acquainted with several students.

  I am open and sociable. When I was in school, teachers eagerly praised my cheerful nature, my responsiveness, and my willingness to help with extracurricular activities. In Sarasota, I had many friends, led an active social life, and was popular in my neighborhood. And here, in New York, a new life is beginning for me, and I will have to prove all over again that I am not some freak of nature, but just a human being.

  Yesterday I met my roommates. One of them is named Kristina. She is Russian. The other is Janet. By the way, she looks a bit like Janet Jackson, both in skin tone and in her smile. Janet has short hair and is quite tall. They are both very sweet and kind.

  I love watching people. I love guessing their character and habits. I enjoy finding flaws, tearing them apart with criticism, and then immediately dismissing them. That is how I pass the time, idly playing with a pencil. But when HE appears, I forget everything.

  My first thought is who is this handsome guy?

  I know I should be more modest, but I cannot take my eyes off him. He chooses a seat in the classroom, then suddenly notices me. The deep gaze of penetrating dark brown eyes that seem to pierce straight through me, dark hair with long bangs, sharply defined cheekbones. I manage to take all of this in within seconds. A dark gray T-shirt clings to his chest, and I have no doubt that a fair number of girls have already noticed him.

  Even when he sits down behind me, I turn toward him. I want to say hello, but I cannot open my mouth. So we simply look at each other.

  The lecturer’s arrival shatters the beautiful moment. I turn away, feeling my heart pounding. But my soul sings when, out of the corner of my eye, I notice him watching me.

  What is this? Could it be fate?