Chapter 1
"This is the day which the Lord hath made;we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
I woke up slightly confused as to where I was. I cracked one eye open to see the faded morning light streaming through the large window. Confusion clouded my mind as to where my blue curtain had gone. But I drifted back to sleep. Minutes later a shuffling woke me up from my not so deep slumber. It must be Mike,the Labrador puppy I got from my high school best friend. Suddenly a wash of reality filled my brain and I sat up wide awake to the white washed clinical walls, scatter of suitcases and another bed by the door. I was not at my bedroom. This is my dorm room and I am far from home. My room mate who was shuffling through her suitcase looked up at me startled and continue with what ever she was doing. We haven't said more than two words to eachother since her arrival yesterday afternoon. It seems shes not looking for friendship. That thought relieved me, as small talk and making new friends are not my strongest traits. It appears that I might be an undiagnosed introvert.
After I took a quick shower in the shared bathrooms, I scrambled to my bedroom and changed to a simple black shirt,jeans and white sneakers. I head to the registration office with all the documents I brought from home. I expected the process to be dragged on and endless as is in my experience back home and since I am an international student. But here, the lady at the registration counter copied some of my documents, made me fill and sign some forms and with in less than 30 minutes I was at the cafeteria sipping sweet tea and zooming over my class schedules. A feeling of ease settled in to me. but I soon brushed it off reminding my self things are not as easy as they look. I would rather expect the worst and got hit with ease than be surprised with unexpected challenges. I was not afraid though. I was set up to be myself and accept that I may be different from this environment. I will give my self sometime to adjust but I wont bend and change to please people. That is not who I am.
I walked around the campus noting where my lecture halls and small classrooms are. Then went on walking through the green park located around the edge of the campus. Students of all ages gathered in groups some with books,others with instruments. then I finish my own tour by roaming the huge library. It was dimly lit and cosy with green table lamps on each row. I took a book and sat at a corner. I could read until its lunch time and head to my dorm for an afternoon nap and coffee. I was two chapters in when a guy walked right in front of me. I looked up adjusting my black framed reading glasses. He might be looking for some directions or where to find a specific book. But I was the last person to be of any help as I was new to this place. I looked up preparing my apology speech 'oh sorry I'm new here' that's what I would say. But the guy stood towering above me and gave me a warm smile like we are old friends. I frowned in confusion. He might thought I was someone he knew, that might explain the intrusion and the bright smile. He cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, but is this seat taken?" he asked in voice that sounds rehearsed. I looked around to an almost empty library and looked back at him in confusion. He chuckled and pulled the chair in front of me and sat making himself comfortable. I sat frozen and quiet waiting for him to explain himself. He sat there quietly with small smile displayed on his face. I shift my gaze back to my book but I was not able to concentrate on what I was reading. I kept glancing at him as he sat laid back and push back his dark curls away from his face. I snapped my book shut in irritation.
"What do you want?" I asked
"Ah! so you do speak?" he announced
"You didn't answer my question, what. Do. You. Want?" It came across a bit forward but I wanted to read in peace. I don't have time to entertain anyone. And I am definitely not looking for small talks.
"May I ask where you're from? Your accent is very .......interesting." he adds brushing off my rudeness. One of the things I can not endure about small talk, is people asking where I am from and when I do tell them they most likely have never heard of it. Then they feigned interest and ask more questions like they care. They won't even remember the second we part our ways. So I prefer not to address these questions unless someone who actually and really cares asks it. I move back my chair to stand up.
"Oh please don't stop on my account." He states smiling.
"It's almost lunch time anyways" I mumbled almost to my self.
I stood up and walked towards the shelf to return the book to its place. By now I assumed the guy would get the hint and scramble away. But no....to my utter dismay he waited by the exit. My heart thuds at the sight of him. What if he is like those narcissist stalkers I have seen on movies that won't leave their victim alone. Oh shit, when I prepared my self for the worst this is not what I had in mind. May be I need to exhaust the list of worst things to happen one more time. I will get rid of this guy once and for all!
I walked right up to him with my head held up high.
"What do you want?" I asked again,firmly.
"Hey relax okay. " he said raising both his hands in mock surrender. " I'm just trying to be accommodating. Let me show you around the campus. In fact let me show this hidden jem of a place where you could grab lunch. Amazing food for a ridiculous price. you wouldn't find a place like this in the whole town unless you have senior guide."
"No thank you. I will find my own way. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go." I said in the most serious tone I have and walked past him. He whistles and mumbled something inaudible. I ignored him and walked all the way to my room with out looking back.
