Sungmin walked nervously down the halls of the Seoul Institute of the Arts. It was his dream to finally study here and luckily for him, he had passed the audition with ease. Music always came naturally and piano just happened to be his specialty.

Sungmin didn’t like unfamiliar places, and even just fifteen minutes in the building, it was already becoming overwhelming. All he had to do was find the room where his first lecture would take place. He stared at the map intently as he reached another dead end.

I didn’t realise how big this place was. I’m so going to be late.

Making sense of where he was, Sungmin managed to find the room in five minutes. He arrived twenty minutes early.

Perfect timing. Now there’s enough time to go over the course profile once more.

Sungmin was a perfectionist, and he had to make sure he knew everything about what he would be studying. It was the same in his musical playing as well.

Just for his own benefit, he had read through the profile three times before it was time to go in. Sungmin took a seat in the middle. He hated being at the front because having too many people behind him made him nervous and sitting at the back meant being surrounded with the people who used lecture time as sleep time.

He watched everyone who walked in, casually guessing who did what. This subject was Musical Theory so it included people from all different areas.

Sungmin was enjoying the fact that no one was sitting next to him. He needed his space to be able to concentrate and this was perfect.

Five minutes into the lecture, someone came in late, and much to Sungmin’s disappointment, the late person just had to sit next to him. Only Sungmin didn’t know that that was one of the only seats left. Sungmin tried his best to focus on the lecturer, but kept getting distracted every time the guy next to him had to be noisy in getting the books out of his bag. He practically threw the books on the desk which caused Sungmin to jump. The stranger next to him only chuckled at the reaction he caused.

Sungmin just kept looking straight ahead. He was too scared to look around now as he thought everyone must be staring at the guy who came late, which meant they would be staring at him. His anxiety was not going to work around here.

For the next hour, Sungmin couldn’t help but notice the drawings that the guy beside him was doing. But what annoyed him the most, was that this guy wasn’t paying attention to anything that was being said.

Why do people like this even get in here? He must have a lot of talent in whatever he does…

Sungmin didn’t notice he was staring until he heard the stranger speak.

“Excuse me?” Sungmin quickly returned his concentration to the professor. He couldn’t believe he had been caught staring.

“Nervous aren’t you?” Sungmin’s eyes widened at the question. He couldn’t let anyone find out about his social anxiety.

Oh god, why is he talking to me? This is not what I planned. I wish he never sat there. I wish I could just hide. Oh god…

“N-no.” His stuttering just made him even more nervous.

“Whatever.”

“Please stop talking. I have to focus.” Sungmin’s words were clearer this time as he felt his confidence rising. He would do anything for his precious education. The other guy just ignored him and kept drawing.

I hope I never see or speak to him again.

Sungmin was glad that he had an hours break. He was really getting frustrated by being surrounded by people, so now was the time for him to spend some alone time. He wandered outside and found a seat next to the lake.

It’s really beautiful here… and peaceful.

Sungmin was enjoying the peaceful surroundings until his phone started ringing. He quickly pulled it out of his pocket and say that it was one of his friends that was also attending the same school.

“Ryeowook, where are you?”

“I’m in the cafeteria with Yesung. You should be here so we can talk about our first day. Come quickly though, because I have a lesson in forty minutes.”

“I see. I’ll be right there!” Sungmin hung up and collected his things. He was lucky to have two of his good friends also doing music with him. He was worried that he would spend the next few years alone, so he was ecstatic when he found out his friends had also passed the audition and exams.

Using is useful map, Sungmin eventually made it to the cafeteria and found Ryeowook. He walked over and took a seat.

“Sungmin! How was your first class? Was it boring? Was it good?” Ryeowook was always a little bit too enthusiastic that it made Sungmin confused. He took a moment to think before replying.

“I’m asking too many questions. Sorry.”

“No, no. It’s fine.”

Yesung came over with some food and sat down next to Ryeowook.

“So… tell us how was your day before I rant on about mine.” Sungmin nervously rubbed the back of his neck before speaking.

“Well I found my rooms alright, and the professors are nice so I guess it’s all good.”  Ryeowook stole some of Yesung’s chicken before getting something out of his bag.

“Sounds good then.” Ryeowook placed a music score of the table in front of Sungmin. “I thought you would like to have a look at this considering you’re doing contemporary music.”

Sungmin picked up the score and studied it for a moment. Modern piano music was not really his forte since he was classically trained, but he wanted to study it in university to further his musical studies.

“Thank you.” Sungmin put the score into his bag. “I’ll look at this tonight.”

Ryeowook smiled as he watched Sungmin look anxiously around the large hall. He knew that Sungmin would take a while before finding his own place. They had been friends for eleven years now and he always supported him with his anxiety.

“Did you meet anyone today? We’re the people nice?” Sungmin looked back at Ryeowook. The only person he had talked to today was that drawing guy in the theory lecture. He wouldn’t really consider him to be nice.

“Someone came in late and sat next to me. We exchanged a few words, but nothing more. You know how I am with people.”

“I know, but maybe you could talk to him again. You might end up making really good friends here.”

“Oh, I highly doubt it. He doesn’t seem like the type to care about his education.”  Ryeowook finished his food and picked up his bag.

“I’m sure he’s nice. Anyway, I have to go now. Don’t want to be late. Time to finally use my voice.” Ryeowook stood up, followed by Yesung who also had the same class.

“Have a good time. I’ll see you guys later.” Ryeowook wrapped one of his arms around Yesung’s waist as they walked off.

I’m going to be the only lonely person here. Even though I have two friends, they’re in a relationship now, so that kind of leaves me out of things.

Sungmin was about to get up when he saw the guy from this morning sit at the table across from him. Sungmin didn’t know why he didn’t just leave. Instead, he found himself just watching this guy use his phone.

He’s sitting all alone as well. Maybe he doesn’t have any friends. Well why would anyone want to hang out with someone who doesn’t concentrate in class?

Sympathy seemed to cross his mind as he thought about why this guy would be sitting alone. It reminded him of himself. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when another guy came over.

“Heechul right?” The guy sitting down looked up. “I’m Kyuhyun. Couldn’t help but notice your singing before in the lesson.”

Sungmin watched with interest as the guy called Kyuhyun reached out his hand and received nothing in return.  Heechul just shrugged and went back to messaging on his phone.

“I would love to hear more of your voice. You’d be great in a band I’ve got going.”

“And what would make you think I’m interested?” Heechul finally spoke, not looking up from his phone.

“Your talent of course.” Kyuhyun said with a big smile on his face. He was quite the talkative person that seemed to be making most out his musical life. In fact, he was in his second year.

“Whatever.” Kyuhyun frowned at Heechul’s response. Sungmin couldn’t believe how rude this Heechul guy was.

Why is he so rude? He obviously has a great voice. Pretentious if you ask me…

“Ok, well let me know if you ever decide on something.” Kyuhyun said before walking off, a bit disappointed that his offer was turned down. Sungmin watched Kyuhyun exit the cafeteria before looking back at Heechul who was now staring straight at him. He must have realised that Sungmin had been paying attention to the conversation. Sungmin got up and quickly put his bag over his shoulder, hitting his toe against the leg of the table in the process.

“OWW!!!” Sungmin screamed out loud enough for half of the hall to hear. Heechul chuckled as he went back to his messaging, finding Sungmin’s awkwardness to be amusing. Sungmin just stood there frozen as he let the pain carry out. It was more so the embarrassment he had to worry about, so when the pain subsided a bit, he quickly composed himself and left the hall.

I never, EVER, want to see that guy again.