The first class

I'm entering the classroom for my first course ever.
I'm already excited. So many different people are sitting there.

Sadly Ruby isn't in this class with me.
But as planned, Flora also joined this course.
But she's already sitting and there isn't a free seat next to her anymore.
So I just sit down somewhere else.

Soon someone sits down next to me.
I think I've already seen her, but I don't remember.
But she doesn't look like I want to know her, so I don't talk to her.

After a while the teacher, a woman, gets up.

Looks like everyone is here.
So this course is about plants.
The plant life is often ignored by many people, but it's more important than they think.
You came here, so you probably know this.
As you might know, you'll learn about different kinds of plants, their biology, how to plant them properly and what they can be used for.
So let's start with a simple quiz.
I'll show you pictures of plants and you have to answer.
Just raise your arm. Whoever is first is allowed to answer.

The teacher waits until everybody seems ready.
Then the first picture appears.
It looks like a weird root.
That's obviously ginger.

I immediately lift my arm.
But Flora was faster.

You. What's your name?

The teacher points at Flora.

Flora.

And your answer?

That's ginger.
It's used to make tea, but it's also a delicious ingredient for vegetable pans and soups where I come from.
I think it can also be used to spice up your meat, but I never tried it.
And besides that, it's also good as a medicine.

Thanks, Flora. You're already very knowledgable.

The girl next to me leans over to me.

That's kind of boring. I want to learn the exciting stuff.
Like genetic modifications to plants to make them part of my body.
Yeah, growing plant tentacles as extra arms sounds exciting.

Shh!
Be silient! I like this quiz.

The teacher already shows the next picture.
It looks like a dirty ball.
That's easy.

I lift my arm again.
Just like before, Flora is the only person who also knows the answer.
Maybe we won't become friends, but rivals...

You are next.

She points at me.

I'm Frieda. This is celery.
It's almost only used for soup. But I put it in almost every soup.
Celery is responsible for the unique taste.
And it's especially important if you don't feel good.

Oh, also a smart girl.
That's correct!

Ah, Frieda! Aren't you that boring girl I met at the introduction event?
You really share a room with my childhood friend now, don't you?
I didn't expect her to choose somebody like you. Normally she only chooses really sexy girls.

Oh...

It really is her...
She's only envious, isn't she?
Ruby likes me. I should view that as a compliment, that she likes me despite having other options.

Or is she only pretending to like me because she thinks I'll do what she wants?
I probably would do a lot for her already. Probably more than she would do for me.
Does she just view me as some stupid girl, who admires her?

But I have no time for this. The next picture is already displayed.
This one is a little more difficult. But I've seen it before in some book.

Both of us, me and Flora, lift our arms again.

Nobody else?

She waits for a while.

Okay, then it's you again, Flora.

A cinnamon tree! Where I come from, we have them around.

Oh, then I already know, where you must come from.

The next picture is a huge zucchini.
I've never seen an orange one, but it definitely is one.

And again, it's just the two of us who know the answer.

Really nobody else? What about you?

She points at some random guy.

Me?

Yeah, what is this?

Uhm..., a big carrot?

The teacher only shakes her head and then looks at me.

Such a huge carrot sounds great for some interesting experiments, you know?

I try to ignore her. The teacher is expecting an answer.

A zucchini.
An orange one. That's not very common.

The teacher shows the next picture.
But she's pretty annoyed, when she only sees us again.

Yeah, whatever...
One of you...

Dark oil colewort!

Dark oil colewort always grows close to the floor.

Is difficult to see it since because it's so dark.

It's normally used to exctract oil, suitable for frying things.

If eaten raw, it causes dizzyness.

Okay, I get it!
Now a simple one! What's this?

It's just a cucumber.
Way too simple, I don't want to.
Flora doesn't seem to be interested to answer as well.
Oh, but if nobody else even knows a cucumber I probably have to...
What are they waiting for? That's getting boring.

Probably better than the zucchini. I'm sure it would even fit into you.

What's wrong with her?
What does she have in mind?
Another weird experiment?

A few people hesitantly give some wrong answers.
Then the teacher also seems to lose interest.

So the quiz is over now. And we have a clear winner!
Flora and Frieda, both of you!
You'll probably have it easy in this course.
Everybody else, I guess most of you really have to learn a lot about plants. But that's why you're here!

Then she starts to talk about what this course is about and explains some basic concepts about plants.
It's more interesting than I expected.
For example she explains how plants are made of cells.
I heard about that, but I never really understood, what this means. And I'm already excited to learn more.

Soon the class is over and we leave the classroom.
A bunch of students stay in front of the door and talk.
I go to Flora.

Oh, you're really smart, too.
I didn't expect we would both know all plants.

Yeah, it's funny how little the city people know.
But they probably know other stuff.

I guess you're right.

Maybe we should show them our homes once.

Sounds like fun. We could take Ruby with us.

Well, let's see.
I also have some friends in mind already.
But I guess we should still wait for a while.
This was our first lesson.

Yeah, might even be some months or years.

Suddenly that weird girl approaches.

Hey, Frieda.
Sounds like you two are really into this plant stuff.

Yeah, nobody could miss that. Is there something you want from us?

I was just thinking, maybe we could collaborate on a project together.
Adding plants to my experiments sounds really exciting.
Maybe let's just meet soon?

Yeah, that sounds exciting. That's why I came.

Just ignore her. I don't think you'll like what she has in mind...

Oh, okay. Then sorry, I guess we aren't interested...

Okay. Just let me know if you change your mind.
See you around.

Then the girl starts to walk away.
I'm really glad that she left again.

So, let's go back to our rooms, okay?

Sure! And maybe let me sit next to you next time.

Yeah, sorry about that. They just sat down next to me without asking.

It's okay. I just don't want to sit next to her again.

As we walk back, I put my arm around her.
And she does the same with me.

Looks like we'll actually become good friends.