Take Me Away novel Chapter 57

It was another Monday afternoon. The girls were walking through the halls on the fifth floor of the teaching building at the D University. Students were settled in their seats as the room bustled with their loud chattering.

Fiona, along with Sophia and Ella entered through the door of the room, shock evident at their faces as they surveyed the room.

"Never thought there would be so many students who applied for advanced mathematics." Sophia muttered as she noted the crowd, a frown etched at her forehead. "I've always known that there are a lot of intelligent people who study here, just not to this extent! I'm not sure I could handle the pressure!"

"Stop being so over dramatic and let's find some seats." Ella said, rolling her eyes at Sophia's antics. Most of the students chose to seat at the back of the room, vacating the front rows.

"The back rows are too crowded, let's occupy the front rows instead," Fiona suggested.

"Do we really have to seat in front? I'm not in the mood to pay attention to the professor." Sophia whined as she pursed her lips. "I'd rather be in the back rows, I would definitely fall asleep in the middle of the class."

"Okay, okay. Let's see if there are seats left at the back." Fiona shrugged and relented. She knew if Sophia wouldn't get her way, she would never stop complaining.

The girls were about to find their seats when a voice called out, "Hi, Fiona!"

They all turned their heads at the call and saw Ryan a few steps behind them. He was cradling books in his arms as he smiled widely at them.

"Hi, Ryan."

"Hey, Ryan!" Sophia greeted him loudly, waving him over to their direction. "Over here!"

Ryan took their invitation and approached them. "Are you in this class as well?"

"We have no choice. Most students had already snatched up other opportunities." Ella dejectedly sighed.

"Are you taking this class as well, Ryan?" Fiona casually asked him.

"Yes." Ryan looked at her longingly. "I also ran out of choices when I applied."

Sophia clapped her hand together and said, "Well! We're counting on you and Fiona for the final exam then!"

Ryan patted Sophia's head fondly, agreeing with a faint smile. He gazed at Fiona, seemingly about to say something but hesitated instead.

A shrill bell sounded through the halls, indicating the start of their class.

That startled the group as they went and located their seats.

Ryan tailed after the girls as they found their seats. Fiona wanted to sit in the middle, flanked by her two friends but Sophia beat her to it, making her sit next to Ryan instead.

Fiona felt heat creeping at her cheeks at their arrangements. Thankfully before anyone could comment about it, the professor entered the room as the bell ended.

Fiona turned her attention to their professor as she took up his appearance. The man appeared to be in his early fifties, black, thick-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He was dressed unassumingly, yet he radiated with wisdom in his stance. He swept his glance towards the crowd as he introduced himself. "I'll be handling your class on advanced mathematics. You may address me as Professor Steve."

"Professor Steve? It makes you seem less intimidating. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all."

The students snickered at the statement. Their professor remained unbothered as he said, "Don't be deceived by my name. I'm neither kind nor compliant. I am strict with my rules, and you shall abide them. Now that you're under my class, I expect you all to work diligently in your studies. Unless, you want to fail this semester. This class is well-known for its suspensions after all."

"Is he serious? Oh no, we're doomed."

"What did I do to deserve this?"

"Is it too late to pull out from this class?"

The class clamored at their professor's words. Ryan just couldn't care less though as he blocked the noise. Maybe it was because he sat next beside Fiona, who made him all warm and fluttery even it was in the middle of November.

"Are you doing well these days, Fiona?" Ryan asked, hoping the crowd wouldn't drown his voice. "I've been out of town for a few days, business meeting and such."

Fiona nodded at his question. No wonder she wasn't able to find him recently.

"Are you curious as to where I've been?" Ryan asked.

"Where have you been?" Fiona asked.

"I've been to S City."

"S City?" Fiona turned to him, her eyes full of mirth with the mention of the said city. "How's S City?"

"Everything's good." Ryan answered, as his eyes softened and his voice gentle. "Your childhood must've been quite beautiful, spent in such a beautiful city. The mountains and rivers are lush and clean. The view is breath-taking. The locals are kind and welcoming."

Fiona smiled endearingly at Ryan as he rambled on. "I passed by S City Middle School. A lot of students filed out from the campus that day. They wore school uniforms. I couldn't help but think of you as I watched them pass by. If only we've met a few years earlier, would things be different?"

"Ryan!" Fiona quickly interjected. She calmly redirected the subject elsewhere. "How's Leona? She left the dormitory so suddenly, we haven't had contact since."

"I haven't had the slightest idea."

"How come you've not heard from her?" Fiona asked, concern and doubt lacing her features. "After all, she is..."

"Who is she to me? She does not belong to me as I don't belong to her. Why should I concern myself with someone who isn't mine?" Ryan's tone was full of venom as he spat his words. "Does that make me a bad person? Do you think I'm heartless?"

"Oh, Ryan," Fiona softly whispered.

"I'd rather drown in my own sorrow than be with Leona," he said, his eyes pleading as pain coated his voice. "Can we start anew, Fiona? Forget everything that had happened. Let's pretend that everything's okay, that everything's normal. And please do me a favor, never mention her name when we're talking, alright?"

"I..."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

They were interrupted as Steve slammed his hand on the surface of his desk three times. It was enough to catch everyone's attention.

He called the attention of Fiona and her group. "You, over there! Two of you have the nerve to sleep while the other two would rather talk in class. I guess it's safe to assume that you've mastered this particular subject!"

The other students turned their full attention to their group.

Embarrassment covered Fiona's cheeks as she realized that the class had already started ages ago. They were so immersed with their conversations that neither of them noticed. She couldn't help but shrink in her seat as their eyes scrutinized her.