Under The Jasmine Tree ✔

🖌 1: The attraction

Lyra;

The class starts at 9 am.

it's 8 o'clock now.

Why am I standing in front of the English lecture hall? It's because I need to be there when a certain partner of mine gets to class, so I can speak to him about our project. While waiting, I've noticed that the sky has darkened with winter clouds, promising us a heavy rain. It was late January, but light rain showers were very .

I entered the lecture hall to pick a seat when I noticed that I wasn't the only student who decided to come this early. To my luck, it was my partner himself, Apollo Davis, and a few other students.

I walked up to his seat and offered him a small smile and a 'good morning'. He just lifted his head and nodded, then went back to writing in his notebook. is he always this moody?

Sometimes I wonder if the way I act pushes people away, or if I'm too . I mean, we've all thought that at least once...right? But I was sure I haven't done anything offensive, yet. So why was giving me the cold shoulder?

The answer was: Maybe it's not always about us. The world doesn't rotate on our behalf. The man may have had a rough morning. Or a tough life. Maybe, just maybe, we must learn not to take things personally. But I wouldn't realize that until later.

So, I just offered him another smile and asked, "Did you receive the assignment file?"

He looked up from his notebook, making me feel guilty for interrupting his deep train of thought. "Yeah, I'm guessing you're Lyra Garcia?"

Lord, please help me, I can't embarrass myself again. but can you blame me? His voice, like authors would say, is as deep as the sea and as viscous as honey.

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. "Yes, I am. I was wondering if we could arrange a time where we can work on the project and discuss it together..."

he shrugged his shoulders in agreement. "We can start on it today in the coffee shop near the campus called Quand la lune brille, meet me there at 5. I prefer to do my work alone but since I'm stuck with you, you're going to have to have to put some effort in ."

I was so shocked by the fact that he seemed so indifferent as he said that, like his words didn't harm anybody. but to prevent me from assuming things, I asked "What do you mean?"

He tilted his head and rested his face on the palm of his hand then looked back up at me, but not before sighing in frustration. "I mean; that you to put all your effort and time into this because I'm not risking my grades for a freshman."

I was flabbergasted. I've never used that word before, so this means that it was truly shocking to me.

I scoffed and looked at him intently, and at that, he raised his eyebrow.

"You have no right to judge me based on what you see and perceive. I came here to make sure I because not all of us have been fed with a golden spoon."

he remained silent. wrong move. I saw that as a sign that he didn't care, my mistake, so I continued, "I don't know you, and you don't know me.] But a bit of advice: don't forget your morning coffee again."

What did he do after I said that? He laughed. My intention was to make him apologize, not laugh.

I groaned once more, "I'm going to go back to my dorm for a bit to get my book because I forgot it." I said as I turned around to leave the hall

"Why are you telling me this?" Apollo yelled from across the hall, now that I've almost reached the door

"so if I jump off a bridge on the way back, they would rule you out as a cause for my death because you're the last person I spoke to!" I yelled back