Welcome
Welcome Crawford student, A voice says from the intercom that cling from each corner of the walls. First day preparations are key importance to success. There are tour guides everywhere . Extra credit courses are recommended for each attending student. By the end of the week you should have the rules and regulations embedded in your thoughts. Attending is key if you find trouble then immediately speak to an advisor. Remember cheating is absolutely unacceptable. Set your mind ablaze, trust your instincts and treat your mind in soul to transform into the best law student you can be. The cafeteria has a full menu of sweet treats, salads, protein and drinks. Lastly remember we are the hawks, and we are watching you.
Bianca.
What? I heard my name? Blinking at the intercom. My phone rings, I send it to voicemail immediately , and sigh. Doesn’t he have anything better to do than call me. Maybe a class to go to? Ping. It’s Michael again.
Micheal: Feel like skipping class and we can hang?:).
B:I have a career to pursue and learn, so us meeting is unlikely.
I aggressively tap the screen. I’m not sure why I involved myself with Micheal. Maybe I was bored, was looking for a one night stand, or wanted to challenge myself by juggling law school and dealing with a mentally draining man all at once. Me and Micheal have been “dating” for about four months now. During the summer I drowned myself with extra credit courses. My transcripts needed to look perfect and pristine. In my down time, I found fun in the boy on campus. One hook up led to another, and we put a dim title on each other that meant nothing. He never took time in getting to know me and neither did I. An unspoken contract is all. As I walked down the cobblestone sidewalk a slight breeze flowed through my hair. I falter my step as I take in the scenery a large sign CRAWFORD LAW SCHOOL. A very hard school to attend and they only accept the student with the best grades, going above and beyond. This is everything I’ve worked for. I transferred from DOON MEDICAL COLLEGE, I was the top of the classes. Committing to extra amount of volunteer work. Plus a traumatizing essay that definitely resulted to me getting accepted. you can accomplish anything even if you completely change your entire career field. I enter multiple side classes for law so that I could get accepted to doon known for being the best law school. Fall is my favorite season, new classes, new professors which I know will love me, and more sights to see. Colorful leaves flimsy spin in the wind. Lost in admiration the first bell rings. Great first day of class and I’m late. Picking up my pace I rush to class. Ping ugh, dropping my head to my phone. I know Micheal is going to text me some lame excuse of why I should meet him in the parking lot.
Micheal: Babe school shouldn’t be your everything. I miss you too, why don’t you meet me at -
Boom I crash into something firm and toned. Balancing myself I looked up and grey eyes met mine. He takes a step back and assesses the entirety of my body. He is at least 6’7 to my 5’4 figure. Dressed in a suit he looks cleaned and smells of rich oakmoss. A slash in between his left eye and a sharp jaw line. His shoulders are broad. He looks very strong almost if he were to flex and shirt would come clean off. But there’s a darkness radiating off him. A dance in his eyes. He’s silently observing me as his jaw clenches. What’s someone like him doing around here?
I barely managed to let the words fall, “My apologies please excuse my clumsiness.”
He walks right past me.
Once in class Mr. Primsley, the professor of Constitutional law, discussed more objectives for the year. Declaring what he expected from the entirety of the class. Followed by his no exception for turning in any late paper or assignments.
He’s glaring at me stating, “ I do not care where you are from, how much money you have, or your status. You will be graded only on how you perform here and that is final.”
So much for the teacher loving me, I dip my head away from his insulting eyes.
“Here is today’s assignment due by the end of the week, read the constitutional law textbook pages 1-70. Study everything because you will be reciting it by next week,” he shrugs. He continues to lecture us and insult us for two more hours.
Finally class ends. I still have to attend my other four: criminal law, evidence, civil procedure, and legal and research writing. Perfect. I spot Michael talking with a group of guys. He is 5 ’11 with dirty blonde messy hair, soft face, round eyes, in light brown dress pants, an emerald knitted sweater, with an ascot draped over his neck. I quickly disguise myself in the crowded halls. Not wanting to be spotted so we can do whatever dreadful idea he had mentioned earlier. Which I never responded to. Walking to my next class, I thought about the unknown man I encountered earlier, and a chill started to spread through me. Whats he’s name? Does he go to school here? I spot my friend Christina who I usually refer to as C in my criminal law class, immediately a smile crosses my face. She is the closest I have to home. I met her online before I transferred. We facetimes everyday since I met her on a lawyer study group chat. She’s my only friend. I preferred it that way. Our schedule was almost the same so we decided to share our miserability together. She had ginger straight hair, almond shaped eyes, black glasses, and a bridged nose. I sat next to her and piled all my books on my desk.
She squealed, “I’m so happy you’re here, sorry I couldn’t be here for the summer but you know my parents want me to be as prepared as possible before the semester starts.”
Both Christina’s parents are lawyers; they consistently teach her during the summer. I know I don’t do much in my stead when it comes to fun, but at least I’m getting laid. She on the other hand is collecting cobwebs.
“So how are you and Michael,” she exclaimed.
I expressed, “C, me and him are simply acquaintances helping each other needs, nothing else.”
She responded, “Yet you two have a title, can you elaborate for me how that works again.”
Moments after Micheal comes sprawling through the door. Of course I have a class with him. He grins at me, taking his seat behind me.
“Right, very casual. Tell him that.” Christina mocks.
Micheal grabs the long braid of my hair and slightly starts to tug it. I pay him no mind. Ping.
Micheal: Want to slip out of class and give me some head. I’m so hard for you right now.
I place my phone downward on the table. Why would he ever think I wouldn’t want to receive anything back? Why did he think I was okay with pleasuring him in a school bathroom. I lost my virginity to Michael. I never became attached, but before I was okay with please him. Open to have new experiences. Now I’m focused on one thing only. School. I pulled my head forward getting him to release his grip on my hair. I focus my eyes towards the blackboard. Our professor starts to introduce herself. I try to focus on her, but my mind wanders to the man I fell into earlier. Thinking about his cool face and daring eyes send a shiver up my spine. His clean cut and muscles arms. I feel he start to spread to my cheeks. I have to push the thought away if I want to keep my grades up. Running into someone for two minutes should not have me lost in my thoughts.
Two weeks have gone by with many assignments due, I had no time to even go to the gym. After my classes I usually have three study groups. Daily online meeting with my advisor so that I’m on the right course. I cannot stop studying. Everyone else has many years of law on their transcripts. I need to catch up to stay number one. Me and C have our daily facetime call where we do homework together for our four classes. After three hours of papers she continues to further explain each class so that I’m completely caught up. God bless her heart, I really should pay her for this.
“Hey C you know I love you, but you really don’t have to do this for me,” I express.
She smiles, “It’s really no problem and I need the refresher anyway to prepare for the bar.”
Which is 6 months away from now and I’m nowhere close to knowing everything. We continued for a half an hour, and finally decided we should get some rest. It is already three am and we both have nine am classes. I function well off of six hours rest. Most of my dreams became nightmares anyway. Constantly showing me the horror of my past. I put on my silk pajamas and lay in my bed dosing off while reading a book. I flip back and forth on both sides of my bed.
Dino pleads, “live for me and love for me Bina.”
I wake up choking with bags still in my eyes. Rolling over to turn to the clock, the bright red outline states it’s six thirty two. I stare at the ceiling lost in thought. Dino. I miss him, I could have done so much more. Maybe he haunts me every night because he blames me too. I can’t think about that right now. Pushing Dino out my thoughts, I head for a quick shower. Shoving my all white blanket off. I rise out of my bed and my eyes scan the corner of my room at the heart-shaped picture collage of my family. My hands trace over the picture of me at Doon. Pictures of me in the lab with my parents and Dino. Then my face falls as I stare at a picture of me and dino. We were kids and he held me on his back as we laughed. To have my brother back. I can’t do this. Shooing over the pictures and walking to my petite bathroom. I walk to a white sink barely able to stand. Using my cleanser to wash my face. Warm water soothes my face, reliefs fill me. I step into my old barren shower. My curtain draped from the brown stain long bar it hangs from. After ten minutes of mental insanity, I vow to make an online appointment with my old therapist. Maybe I do need to speak on the matter. When I had meetings after my trauma, I simply never spoke to my counselor. I let her do all the talking and stared at her. She would constantly repeat my name to bring me back to reality. Walking into my I slip into a black dress pants, a white blouse with a black trench coat. I slip on black calf high boots closing the door. Grab my umbrella at the side of my door.
With a whisper, “Please Dino let me live for you.”
The air is cold as it rains over the city. For the first time the streets are empty, not loud honks, or shouting. I make my way to our local cafe on campus. My footsteps clink on the silent sidewalk. I pass by so many unique shops which is what I love about Detroit. Different color streams from each one I pass, all containing alleyways dividing them. Five minutes pass and I hear multiple footsteps. They’re very silent and faded, but I can feel their heat on my back .. Is someone behind me? Whoever it is has to be a step behind me. Watching my body language and determining their next move. I stop in my steps. Taking a breath and I turn around. Am I crazy? I stare down the long sidewalk I came from. Peering across the street. I’m the only person outside.
“Bianca you crazy,” I chuckled, continuing down the street.
I pull out my phone and text Christina.
B: I’ve had a long morning and now I think I’ve finally lost it.
C: Are you okay?
B: Yeah I just think I might need to be locked up for being mentally unstable. I just thought someone was following. I was so paranoid but then I turned around and nothing
C: Sometimes we hear things we it’s quiet. I’m sure you’re not crazy, it’s probably just your lack of sleep.
B: You’re right I didn’t sleep too well but I’m walking to the cafe. Meet me there?
C: Of courseeeee see you in five.
I slip my wet phone back into my pocket and clutch my black umbrella. What am I thinking? Dear god, please help me. Shaking my head as a small smile comes on my face but instantly drops when the heat hits my back and the footsteps ring my ear inches away from me. But this time they are loud and demanding. They want me to know, and fear them. Instead of looking back I sprint down the sidewalk. The cafe is maybe two hundred feet. Good thing I ran a lot in the halls of the hospital because I don’t plan on stopping until I get around other people. I can’t hear them anymore but I don’t care. I won’t get them another chance. I swing the cafe drop open and the bells ring. Everyone’s eyes glare at me for the loud intrusion. I give them an apologetic smile and get the hell away from the door. I sit at a small circular, wooden, cream table in the far corner. Books are stacked on it and a blue bag hangs from one of the chairs. Christina is here already. She comes from around the corner where the restroom sign hangs.
Bring me in for a hug, “Hi B, I’ve missed you even though it’s been eight hours since we hung out.”
I embrace her for a while. We don’t have many study sessions today so we can stay awhile before class. I can speak to her about all I witnessed.
She grabs my face, “B what’s going on, you’re so pale?”
