Chapter 1: Introduction
The hot line of fluorescent light overhead buzzed loudly. I squinted against the stark light and continued to scribble in my notebook. My hand cast a lazy shadow over the ruled lines, filling them with scribbled loops and equations.
This cafeteria with its rows of white plastic chairs and bright light gives me a stronger desire to go home, brew a cup of tea, and slurp it while typing a code in the dark corner of my bedroom.
The sound of the chair to my right scooting across the floor tore me away from my thoughts. I looked up, greeted by a bright, joyful smile. A young woman with long, flowing blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slender figure sat down in the chair beside me.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, angling her head in my direction.
I blinked, surprised.
"Uh, sure."
She plopped her lunch tray down and opened her book.
I stared at her for a moment, unsure what to say.
"I'm Emily, by the way," she introduced herself.
"Oh, heh, I'm Nick," I stumbled over my words. "I don't think we've met before."
"Nope, first time," Emily replied, not missing a beat. "You're in my computer science class, though."
"Really?" I asked, surprised.