who: @adrianmasri where: lecture hall when: early thursday afternoon
There was a simple solution to Rhia’s tardiness problem; adapt and wake up earlier than she would. Between nurturing a hangover and hating mornings, her first classes of the day knew to expect her several minutes after lectures began. She had yet to receive an absence notice this year but knew it was coming. Rhia slugged to her acoustics class with no sense of urgency, too preoccupied with her head fog to remember she hadn’t completed the reading for today.
The door creaked slowly open, revealing the inquisitive eyes of her peers who’d made it to class on time. Rhia didn’t so much as offer a cute, half-smile; instead, scanning the hall for an open seat. Without a second thought, she lumbered to the seat a few rows down, uttering small apologies as she passed other students in the row. She didn’t bother to give her neighbor a glance until she’d sat down, but she instantly recognized his dark helmet of curls. She looked up at Adrian’s face, grimacing at the reminder of how poorly she treated him.
Did he hold it against her? Did he even think about her? Rhia knew they’d shared a class together but figured it was big enough they would never cross paths. Of course she waltzed right to him and sat down like they were casual acquaintances. Maybe that was what they were reduced to now because of her. She set her bag in between her legs, turning to face the stage and failing to ignore him in her peripheral. After a few prolonged moments, she turned to Adrian again, peeking over to get his attention. “Hey,” she greeted in a soft whisper. “Did you- uh.... do the study guide?”