Stare

Sophie POV

 

Like what madam said, the Admin assisted me and tour me around the campus. This University is so huge. I think it is 5x larger than my previous University. Since there are different departments and each departments has a building. And each building is far from one another.

Since the University is huge, there is a rented e-bike for the student to use inside the campus. The admin oriented me about the e-bicycle. He said that it is free for the students here. The only key to access the e-bicycle is our ID. There are QR codes for each e-bikes here. All we need is to tap our ID in the lock so we can open and use it for transportation. There is also assigned numbers per department. I mean, it is placed in the plate number of each bikes. For example, the department of medicine, where all medical related course students are there, the last number of their motorbike/ bicycle’s plate number is 05. Same goes for the department of engineering which is 06. 01 is for department of education, 02 is for department of tourism, 03 is for department of psychology, 04 is for the law department, and so on. There are also a department for music and arts. He said that it was for students who aspire to become an artist or an idol someday. For those students who want their career in the music industry, film industry, theater or even those who wanted to audition for a pop groups. Since this University is an international University, they cater all of the dreams each of the students has and motivates them to achieve their dream in whatever country they wanted to pursue their career.

And it is the first time I heard about the school who also cares about arts and music. Not just in academic.

“You have a choice if you wanted to rent the e-bike or just use the university’s transportation” the admin said.

“Uhm, what’s the difference between the two?” I asks.

“The difference is that, using e-bikes, you won’t be able to stand in line waiting for the e-bus to take you to your next class. If you use e-bike, you can go to your next class earlier before it starts,” he explained.

“Plus, for your whole stay here in college. It is not easy to walk or ran to your next class. May I know what your course is?” he asks

“Psychology” I answered.

“Psychology, hmm, let me use your course as an example. I know you have subject like calculus, basic math, or anything that is related to math. When you have that kind of classes, you will go to the engineering department. Same goes if you have a biology class and an basic music and art class. It will be easy for you to went there without having any trouble to wait for the next bus,” he continued.

He has a point there.

“But?” I asks. “What is the disadvantage of using the e-bike?” I continued.

“Well, there is none. Except if you broke your e-bike or if there is any parts of the e-bike that is broken. You will replaced that. And you need to buy that in the only store, the University will asked you to. You will buy that with your own money” he said.

“So you mean, this e-bike is free to use for every student here? Except if you broke it, we will be the one to buy the parts for it?” I asks.

“Yup,” he said

“Hmm, okay, now I understand” I said.

“Also, each students will register their information in their e-bike. To prevent thefts that will stole your e-bike” he said.

“how would that be possible?” I asks. What I mean is the registration of information for our e-bikes.

“You will know that later, but for now, let me tour you to arts and music department” he said. Then we entered the building.

It’s been three and a half hour and we there are some buildings where we haven’t visited yet. I didn’t knew that it was this huge. I mean, it would took some time for us to finish the tour.

This University is unique though. They have mini zoo, a park, food court and mini mall. The admin said that, it was the head director’s grandchild who suggested to build a mall in the campus. Since she’s bored in studying.

“Wow, I bet her grandchild is spoiled” I said.

“Hahaha honestly, no. hahaha you can’t sense or feel that she’s spoiled. She’s more like a carefree person. Someone who voices out her feelings and thoughts and she doesn’t care in whatever other people think about her” he said.

Ahh, so the director’s grandchild is a woman.

“But, why did the director grant her wish instantly? I mean, about building the mini mall inside the campus” I asks.

“Hahaha there’s funny story behind that,” he said

“Tell me about it” I said.

“Actually, the director’s granddaughter doesn’t want to stay here, in this country. She wanted to go back to Taiwan, where she grew up,” he started.

Ahh, I see.

“But madam left no choice as no one can take care of her in Taiwan and Madam is the only guardian she has. That’s why she bring her here” he said.

“Then, what happened next, sir?” I asks.

“What happened next is that, hahahaah, sorry, it’s just so funny when I remember it. Uhm, hahaha so yeah, She protest in front of the director’s office without knowing that there is a meeting going on that time. All alone, she rally in front of the door” he said.

What the… hahahahaha she did that? She just made herself embarrassed.

“And you know what’s even funnier? She’s holding a huge Bluetooth speaker then she played the d******d voices of those who rally in Youtube as her background noise. So that it would look like there are a lot of people rallying in front of the director’s office,” he said.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA what a unique girl is she HAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHHA

“Hahaha it’s funny, isn’t it? But actually, she can drive a plane and she has her own plane too. But madam suspended her license as she is still a minor and it is dangerous for her to drive from here to Taiwan,” she said.

“WOahh, really? But, she can book a flight to Taiwan whenever she wants” I said.

“Yes, that’s true. But because of Madam’s connection, she can’t book a flight back to Taiwan” he said.

“Hmm, why? What’s the reason on why Madam doesn’t want her to go back?” I asks. It feels like she’s a prisoner in this school.

“Because of their deal. She can only go back to Taiwan if she learns English and if she graduated in this school” he said.

Ahh, that’s why she’s banned to go back.

“I see” I answered.

“Yup. Anyway, back to the story, so madam come out from her office to see what’s the noise all about. All of us in the meeting room were laughing because of her. Then they made a deal for her to stop. She asks a favor of building a mini mall before she admit in the University. And add a lot of gaming section there. But madam were worried that a lot of students would cut their class just to go to a game section of the mall. And in the end, they agreed that the gaming part of the mall will be only exclusive to her. But with a curfew” he said.

That’s a good deal though. At least none of the students will have a reason to cut their class just  because of staying in the gaming section of the mall.

“And that’s how the mini mall build and made madam’s granddaughter to stay?” I asks.

“Yup. Hahaha easy at that” he said.

“Wow. Hahaha that was crazy. Her granddaughter has a unique personality” I said.

“Yup. And please don’t tell this to others. I am not allowed to share this to other students. I just share this information to you since you asks about madam’s grand daughter. Which is no one even asks and no one even knew” He said.

“No one knew? Why?” I asks

“Just… madam doesn’t want anyone to know. So please, please don’t tell it to anyone too. Especially if you met a new friends here or join a circle of friends. You shouldn’t tell this to anyone, because we will be doomed if that happens” he said.

How can I tell it to anyone? I am so embarrassed to make friends with other people. I am an introvert. I prefer to stay away from them.

But, honestly, I am a social butterfly before the bullying allegation happened. That issue made me an introvert. I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and panic attack. I am having a hard time dealing and facing people after what happened. I am even at the verge of having a panic attack earlier when I was talking to madam. I remember the time when I am defending myself to the higher positions of the university. I feel like that too with madam. But thankfully, she gave me a warm welcome as soon as she sees me.

“Sure thing. Your secret is safe with me” I said.

“Hoo, that’s great then. Thank Goodness” He said. It’s been 4 in the afternoon when we got finished to visit all of the building and to have a tour all over the campus.

“You’re back!” Madam greeted me excitedly. Wow, is she always like this? She’s cheerful despite of being old?

I smile as a response.

“Good thing you’re back. How’s the tour?” she asks.

“This University is amazing, ma’am. There’s a lot of places that amazed me because it was inside the University” she said.

“Really? What are those?” She asks. Gosh. I should have talk less. Argh. I don’t want to have a long conversation with her.

“Uhm, like the mini zoo in this campus, and uhm… the e-bikes—”

“Oh yeah, the e-bike! Before I forgot, did you got your ID already? I’ll assist you to the IT department for your e-bike’s registration” she said.

“Huh? Uhh, I can do i—” I was about to decline her offer, but she stopped me.

“Nah, just let me” she said.

My day ends with madam assisting me to the IT department. She said that she wanted to make sure that they will prioritize me and they could register my ID as a the lock on my e-bike. But I am curious what if I lost my ID?

But anyway, I haven’t had any case that I lost my ID in school. So I don’t need to worry about it.

Anyway, I bet, madam helped me this day because of my brother. Madam also told me about my scholarship, she said that I can get a 50% discount because of my outstanding grades.

I am on my way to my brother’s company. I already bought him a dumplings and rice cake that he likes. I texted him that I’ll pay a visit and he replied me with an excited emoticon.

“Crazy” I said.

After a few minutes, I arrived at my brother’s company.

“Hey, hey, hey! Look who’s here” My brother said. Then he hugs me tightly.

“It’s been a long time since you pay me a visit here. What’s with the sudden visit, huh? You need something?” he jokingly asks.

I rolled my eyes at him.

“do you really think that I will only pay you a visit because I need something?” I asks

“Hahaha well, that is what your other brother usually did hahaha but, seriously, what is it?” he asks.

“You don’t have a meeting?” I asks. Before I could tell thank him, I wanted to know this. Because my brother always has a tight schedule because of work. He barely joins us and come home. He even made a room here in the company. But if it comes to family dinner, or some family events, like if we wanted to hang out, he would make time for it. But, with a limited time only. Like for example, he will allot 5 hours to bond with us. And if that 5 hours ended, then he will left us and let us enjoy without him.

“I cancelled them. Since you’ll be coming,” he said.

His soon to be wife will be so lucky on how dedicated my brother is to his family.

“Awwee, how sweet” I said with disgusted face. Hahaha don’t get me wrong. I am not the type of person who like to be clingy and say sweet things to other people. But my two brothers are very vocal with their feelings. And they are really sweet. Very opposite of mine.

“Hahhaha of course! But anyway, what brings you here?” he asks.

The last time I visited my brother’ company is way back when I am in my first year of middle school. After that, I decline him when he asks me to go to his company. It’s not because we fought or something bad happened between us or I am mad at him. It’s just that, I hate it when my schoolmates befriends with me because of my family’s status. II want them to befriended me because of who I am and because of my personality. I even lied about my brother’s job before. I told them that my brother is an employee to one of the huge company. Good thing they believed me.

“I wanted to say thank you” I said

“Thank you? For?” He asks.

Tsh. He’s always like this. He wanted us to mentioned what he did to us and act like he’s a humble guy. But, he’s a humble person though. He just act arrogant to us sometimes when he wanted to tease us.

I just rolled my eyes.

“Just, thank you. No need to say the reason,” I said.

“Hmm, okay~ you’re welcome, my tsundere sister” he said.

After that, I told my brother that I will be having classes tomorrow and that I’ll leave early. At first he looked surprised. And then he asks me about the University and how did I got accepted.  Tsk tsk, maybe he looked surprised because finally, one University responded to her request. After few hours of talking to my brother about the new University I got admitted to, I go home.

----

Another day comes, this is the day where my first class in my new University will start.

I entered the University, and as expected, you will be surely late if you didn’t use an e-bike. The psychology department is too far from the entrance. My first class is Introduction to Psychology.

I went inside the room and sit in the last row. As much as possible, I don’t want to catch any attention from anyone.

There are still 15 minutes before the class starts, I’ll go to the bathroom first.

I opened the door in our room and to my surprise, I there’s a girl, standing in there and is about to open the door. She has a long black straight hair, with a pale white skin color. She can pass as a white lady. Hehe. I move to the side, maybe she’s about to enter the room but she didn’t bulge. Just keep on staring at me.

I look behind maybe there is someone behind me whom she is looking to, but I see no one.

Err… is she looking at me?

I wave my hands in front of her eyes. She blink then she continued to stare at me.

“Hello?” I shyly said.

Uhh, can’t she understands English? Ahh, right! Maybe she’s a Korean or a Japanese.

“Annyeong haseyo” I greeted. Still no effects.

“Konichiwa?” still no response. The heck, she’s cute but she’s creeping me out.

“Oh? Sapphire, you’re there. I’m looking for your for like hours now,” girl said then she followed where her friend’s eyes is

“I’m sorry miss if she bothered you. Uhm, she can’t speak English yet,” she said. I guess she’s the same age like her or maybe they’re classmate?

“Let me introduce myself, my name is Yuri, I’m Sapphire’s best friend. I’m the best in our class and I topped the language subject that’s why I can be able to communicate in English. Oh, I’m Chinese by the way,” she said.

Ahh this girl is kinda air headed, I see.

“Come on” Yuri said the the girl who keep on staring at me.

“Hehe, excuse us~” she said as she pulled her friend away.

Weird. Why would she stare at someone who she haven’t met? But, what’s more weird is that, she stare at me lovingly. Or maybe I interpret her stare at the wrong side? Oh well…