"Shshshs."
The sound of the wooden sliding door never grew old; it always felt like the first time. The same could be said for the view before me. The wooden lecture hall stood distinct, unlike any other on campus.
Sitting in my usual place, I noticed I was a little earlier than usual. This class had about fifty students—seniors and juniors.
Most classes at the school had at least a hundred students, but this one was different. One reason was that it was a morning class, and the second was its course.
I'm not a genius, nor the smartest person in school. I'm just good with numbers, which gives me an advantage with complex equations.
This so-called gift had been with me since I was very young. Now, it was mostly useful for this class.
The class was called Quantum Mathematics. A four-year course that explored quantum math and its many mysteries.
You might wonder why I took this class. Honestly, I didn't have a grand reason. In junior year of high school, I was already taking college-level math classes. But for any other subject? Barely passing chemistry, and for history, I could remember numbers but not people.
When I decided to join B.N.Y.U., I wanted to challenge myself and bury the lingering emotions from high school and life. That was the excuse. Over time, though, I started to love the class and its uniqueness.
Elbow supporting my weight, hands cradling my face, I tried to get comfortable. Soon, more students began entering the lecture hall.
Three of my close friends approached—two girls and one boy.
The first girl, Annie, was Southeast Asian, outgoing, and smart. She wore a black crop top with blue jeans, perfectly matching her long dark-brown hair and eyes. She wasn't taking the class for herself but for her family company. She never went into details, but it had something to do with Quantum Machines.
Beside her was Ellie, blond and one of the smartest students at school. Her thin glasses made her green eyes pop, giving her a cat-like look. Her white shirt and light blue jeans, combined with her features, could make one think she had a chance at acting.
In front of them was Anthony, six feet tall and skinny, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt with dark blue jeans. His dark-brown skin had a glossy shine, and his buzz cut and symmetrical face made him look like he could steal anyone's attention. Not only was he good-looking, but he was also a model.
"Hey, Ash! Did you get my text?" Annie asked, walking around Anthony.
"Yeah… but did I not tell you I've been having pain—like cramps in my stomach—for the past couple of days?" I said, not exaggerating. The pain had been constant, and at times it felt like I couldn't breathe.
"So it's not getting better? Have you scheduled a doctor's appointment?" Anthony asked. I could tell he was genuinely concerned.
"Yes, that's also why I couldn't make it to class. You know how long it takes to get an appointment that isn't already scheduled a year in advance? It sucks."
"Dang… maybe you're just getting period cramps. That could explain the sulky emotions," Ellie said straight-faced.
"Yeah, haha, but to be honest, he's usually sulky," Annie added.
"Not funny, guys… it hurts," I muttered, recalling lying alone on the ground crying last night. Darn it! I hoped it wasn't anything serious when I went to the doctor.
"So when is it? I want to know because I think we should all hang out one more time before the ceremonies—and before the big party in three weeks," Anthony said.
"Monday afternoon, the beginning of next week. So yeah, I think we can all hang out before the ceremonies," I said with a smile. It had been a while since we all spent time together.
Annie added, "We should all hang out on…"
After deciding the day, the conversation drifted back and forth between gossip and school-related events from our four years together.