“My TA will be coming around with cards. Please fill them out with the information listed on the slide and turn them in at the end of class. If you do not fill out one of the cards, Financial Aid will not receive notice that you have been here today, and you may not be able to obtain your funds for the semester.”

As the TA continued passing cards to the front row, I tried to pay attention to what Professor Burns was saying. He was speaking so quickly that I found it a little hard to follow him. It didn’t take me very long to figure it out, though, as the student in the first row on the far left hand side started giving his name, age, and major.

The cards made their way back to my seat. Taking one, I passed the stack to the girl behind me. She gave me an awkward smile, revealing a set of shiny, metal braces. I returned her smile before turning around to fill out my card with the correct information.

I barely listened as people gave their information aloud. The names and faces blurred into an unknown mess I would never remember. When it was Samuel’s turn to speak, though, I paid unusually close attention.

“My name is Samuel. I’m twenty and majoring in art history.”

Whispering broke out in several places as some of the girls exchanged quips about his appearance. Heads craned and some even half-stood to get a better look as the next student began giving his information. I tried not to laugh at the antics of the other girls in the class, but I found it hard not to at least smirk.

“My name is Faith,” the girl with braces said from behind me. “I’m eighteen and majoring in accounting.”

“My name is Alina. I’m eighteen and majoring in health sciences.” Keeping my eyes down to avoid any possibility of eye contact with the strangers in the room, I could feel the heat in my face from the blush I couldn’t control.

As the introductions continued around the room, I couldn’t help but look over at Samuel. He was facing forward, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Occasionally, he would look down at his desk or over at the wall, but he never once did he glance in my direction.