The Cancelled Class: Fern's Adventures: Eight

Fern sat nervously as he waited for others in his class to get there. Class started in 5 minutes, and he hated being the first one in class. He may stand up for himself, but he will never be that assertive.

As he bounces his leg nervously, someone he recognizes from his class walks down the hallway – right past the classroom and sits in a chair and pulls out a laptop. Fern thought this was going to be war of two introverts trying to wait out who was going to be the first one to enter the classroom, until the guy speaks up.

“Hey, Fern, you know class was cancelled, right?”

“You have got to be shitting my dick,” before Fern realizes what he’s said, it’s out, and the guy bursts into laughter. Even though his mask is hiding his face, Fern could tell his smile was genuine. He felt a little better about the weird thing he just said.

“I’m not shitting your dick. Her water bottle spilt in her bag, so she had to cancel for immediate surgery on her laptop at the Apple store,” The guy turns his laptop toward Fern to show him an announcement posted right as he was leaving his apartment, so of course he missed it.

Fern slumped back in his chair, defeated.

“Hey now, we still have a lab due before class is over. Wanna do it together?” The guy offered and Fern was taken aback by how forward he was. He nodded, though, taking any opportunity for a friend he could get.

He sits across from the guy and becomes painfully aware that this dude knows his name, but he doesn’t know his. He pulls out his laptop and they both pull up the lab, which they have an hour to complete.

“So why didn’t you see the announcement?” The guy asked and Fern groans and lets his head fall back.

“My apartment is a 30 minute walk from here, and she posted it as I walked out the door.” He said, a little embarrassed but the guy just laughed.

“That’s super unfortunate. My next class is just across the hall so I just thought it would be easier to come anyway.” He chuckled, typing away. “What’s your email? It’ll be easier to do a shared Google Doc.”

Fern gave him his email, eager to get the doc because it would essentially also give him the guy’s name and save him the embarrassment of asking.

When Fern clicked on the doc, however, he saw that the guy’s name was Clayton.

SCORE! He thought as Clayton pasted the work into the document.

The pair got to work on the document, joking with each other as they try to help. Clayton made it easy to open up, taking the lead in the conversation and not judging anything Fern says.

They got closer to finishing the assignment and were laughing with each other, obviously bothering those around them but Fern didn’t care. This was the most fun he had had in a while with another person.

Eventually, they both clicked submit on the assignment with two minutes to spare and they both intimidated the confetti on their screen before giggling at each other.

“When’s your next class?” Clayton asked, closing his laptop.

“12:30.” Fern replied, following suit. He almost asked back but remembered Clayton had mentioned having a class across the hall, so he assumed it was at the same time. Fern begins to pack up, knowing he had to start heading towards the next building soon.

“Same. Can I get your number so we can chat after we get out of class?” Clayton slides his phone across the table.

Damn, this guy is forward. Fern thought as he picked up the phone to enter his number.

“Also, do you want to go to a Halloween party with me? I know we just met but I think if we hang out a bit before it, we could be good friends.” Fern assumed Clayton gave him a goofy grin by the crinkles by his eyes.

Maybe I’m not the only one desperate for friends. Ferns chuckles at his own thought.

“Sure, just text me when you’re free. I gotta head out though, my class is a pretty far walk.” Fern slides the phone back to Clayton, who gives him a thumbs up before Fern walks away.

Fern was nervous about said party but doubted Clayton was the type to go to a frat party of something similar, so he agreed without giving it a second thought.