"Uhm, excuse me but are you still open for admissions for the next school year?"
"Yes, please sit down." she continued typing without even looking at me.
"Do you have the necessary documents with you?" She asked still busy with the computer.
"Yes."
She then faced me and I handed her my documents. She looked at it then seemed to be surprised at something she had read. Then she looked at me for the first time.
"Robson Mansen, twenty five years old? You look quite older than your age."
I said nothing. She continued. "So you were a graduate of the prestigious West Hampton University and got MBA. What made you decide to continue your studies here? I suppose that the university you graduated from is much better than ours."
"Actually I'm just new in this area and I heard that your programs are excellent." The latter was a complete lie. This was the first time I ever heard of Mansfield University.
That started it. She was clearly awakened by that flattery. "Just a moment Mr. Mansen, I’ll just prepare your application form."
***
I sat on a bench overlooking the whole landscape of the campus. I had just finished all the necessary requirements I need in order to be admitted for the next school year. I was so excited, I can't wait to go to school and be a student again.
I looked at my watch and saw that it was only ten in the morning. This was my 257th since I was diagnosed with Astrocytoma. I sighed. Then I heard a voice behind me.
"Nice view right?"
I looked around and saw a lady with long dark brown hair and fair skin. Her pink lips smiled and showed a set of pearl white teeth. She sat down beside me and looked straight ahead.
"I can't believe I got accepted here, this place is great! One of the prestigious university in the country."
"Indeed?" I asked.
"Yup, well their Literature program is great. That's what matters to me anyway."
"Ah, I see. So you're an incoming freshman then?"
"Yup. How about you? Are you an alumni?" She asked cheerfully.
I scrunched up my face. "Do I look that old?”
"Early thirties?"
"I am just twenty five."
She blushed, bowed her head and quickly blurted, "I am so sorry sir!"
"Its okay, I’m used to it." I ran my right hand over my hair. I hope it continues to grow.
She looked uneasy, like a child who wants to open the fridge when her mom tells her not to. I surmised that she's curious about me. I decided to make it easy for her.
"I'm an incoming freshman too you know. Lit major also."
She looked at me with wide eyes. "Really? Why? I mean you're already twenty five!"
Boy, she acts like a kid. I decided to play along. "Oh, I flunked a lot of times."
"Really?"
"Yeah, and I decided to move far away from home because I can't take the humiliation." I said with a smile.
She pouted then contemplated for a while. "You don't look like a flunky."
"Oh, what do I look like then?"
"You look smart… And … " She cocked her head and regarded me carefully. "And… You won't get mad right?"
"Go on, it's okay, I openly accept criticism."
"You look sick."
I chuckled. "You mean a cuckoo?"
"No, sick as in ill." She said in a serious tone.
"Oh… "
Silence.
I don't want to talk about my personal life with strangers. This lady seems nice but she's curious like a child.
I stood up and prepared to leave.
"Guess I have to go then, see you at the first day of school."
I didn't wait for any reply as I walked away. A moment later I heard her voice shouting behind me.
"Wait!"
I stopped and looked back in her direction.
"I forgot to ask your name sir!" She shouted.
I smiled. She calls me sir?
"We'll have plenty of time for a proper introduction!" I shouted back.
I turned my back and walked a way. Boy, you should have seen her face after my reply. She looked like a disappointed kid. Well, guess I just met one of my would be classmate.
Chapter 4: Impressions
Days passed by too slowly, that's why when classes started I woke up early that morning and eagerly went to school.
It was seven in the morning; some people were jogging along the campus while others were hurrying for class. I found my building and my room easily thanks for the school map they provided.
I was the first one to arrive. Guess I'm not surprised. I sat down on an armchair at the end of the room. There were thirty wooden armchairs, two white boards attached to the wall and a clock above it. The room looked gloomy.
After five minutes my classmates started to arrive one by one. They can't help but look at me when they enter the room. I gave them a smile and they quickly looked away. Geez! Maybe they thought that I was their professor!
I tried to label them since I've got nothing to do. There's a guy that looked like a geek, no offense. He wore a polo shirt buttoned up to his chin, then there's the bratty looking guy who surveys the room with his chin up, a typical blonde chic, a brunette, a bully looking guy, oh some of them I can't label. I wondered if what my label was then. A loner maybe? Yeah maybe a loner, I decided that I'll act one so they'll leave me alone. That was my resolution when a lady entered the room then upon seeing me her eyes grew wide and exclaimed, "Sir!"
Well goodbye loner, all of my classmates looked at me. I was the center of attention in an instant.
The geeky looking guy stood up and asked, “Are you our professor sir?"
"No." I answered coldly.
"I may look older than the rest of you but I’m not your professor."
The geeky boy sat down and I heard someone snicker.
The lady sat beside me. She was the one whom I met here a couple of weeks ago. I remembered her long dark brown hair and her childlike features.
"Why did you address me like that?" I whispered to her.
"You don't want me to acknowledge you?"
"Yes… " She then looked at me with puppy eyes.
"I mean no, well… " I stammered. Those puppy eyes are making me feel guilty.
"What I mean was, why call me sir?"
She bowed down and said, "You don't want to introduce yourself and since you're older than me then, I called you sir."
"How old are you anyway?"
"Twenty one sir."
"Well stop calling me sir because I'm just four years older!" I said that one quite aloud which caused some of my classmates to look at me and my companion.
"Sorry." She pouted.
"Well, just call me Rob."
"I'm Althea" She offered her hand.
I took her hand and shook it "Okay… I guess its nice meeting you eh?"
She beamed at me.
Well, I'm not saying that she's attractive but I kinda think that she's cute. I don't really know if it's her nature or maybe she's just trying to leave an impression or what. Then I decided that I don't really care.
Ten minutes later the professor finally arrived. He's an old man with white temples. He wore large, thick framed glasses. He stood on the platform and faced us. He introduced himself as Mr. John Warren. He then took out a paper from his leather bag and began to call our names for attendance.
Then…
"Mr. Mansen?"
"Here!"
Mr. Warren surveyed the room and smiled. “I’m guessing that you have started on your reading assignments since the course outline was already given to you during the enrolment. But just to make sure…” He looked at me then asked. "Mr. Mansen, what do you think of Isak Dinesen's The Blank Page?"
I stood up and answered, "Well, some people thinks it’s a useless short story because it has an empty plot and unmanageable characters but I find it great."
"How so?"
I scratched my ears, "It gives importance to empti
ness which I found to be interesting and it makes sense because we'll never realize that we're complete until we discover what it feels to be empty."
He nodded and I sat down.
Mr. Warren resumed his attendance check. I heard Althea whisper beside me.
"Nice one for a flunky."
I smiled.
"Ms. Althea Stefan?" Mr. Warren called.
"Present!"
"Well what do you think of Mr. Mansen's opinion?"
"Sorry sir but I didn't finish the story."
I smirked. She then glared at me.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"I find the story to be lacking." I don't know who she was really addressing for she looked at sir Warren then back to me.
"Interesting." Warren murmured.
Althea sat down and pouted.
I said nothing. She really acts like a kid.
***
The whole day passed quickly and I soon found myself reading a collection of Robert Browning's works.
I tried making pizza for dinner but another crushing headache attacked me. I opted to have it delivered instead.
Another dizzying spell attacked me. I closed my eyes and tired to fall asleep.
Chapter 5: Althea
It was my 300th day since I was diagnosed with Astrocytoma. My hair started to regrow and I honestly felt quite better.
I had my group of college friends now. Well, I didn't really plan to belong to a group. I wanted to be alone. But thanks to Althea, now I have to tag along. But there were limitations you see. I won't join them on their Friday night gigs. I told them that I have some stuff to attend to.
Sam and Faun would let me drift away from them without question. Sometimes I feel that they don't really want me to be with them. But with Mac, Karen, Shyne and especially Althea… Well, they're the opposite! They would ask too much question whenever I distance myself away from them.
I looked at my watch. It's six thirty in the morning. I decided to go to school since I've got nothing to do here at home.
I took my car keys from the drawer and went to the garage. I just bought a red Porsche 911 turbo. Fancy stuff; guess I'm really enjoying my last days here on earth.
I reached Mansfield in twenty minutes, parked my car at the student car park area. When I got out of the car, I noticed a lot of people, mostly guys, were staring at me. Uhm, not me actually but to my car.
I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Althea grinning at me.
"You've got a nice ride! People are staring at it." She said, admiring the car.
"Yah, I noticed that. Where's Mac and the others?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, they went to the beach." She said, still staring at my car.
"The what?! But it's a school day!"
"Oh, we have no classes today. Something came up, you know, faculty meeting or something."
"You guys knew it and you didn't tell me?" I asked incredulously.
"I told them I'm gonna tell it to you."
I raised an eyebrow, "Then?"
"I did not." She smiled devilishly.
"And I assume there's a valid reason for that?" I asked, starting to get annoyed.
"Yep!"
"Let me hear that valid reason of yours then."
"I wanna spend the day with you."
Moment of silence…
Did I heard her correctly?
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Can I ride in there?" She asked, pointing at the car.
She really gives much attention to the car.
"You're impossible." I mumbled
"Please?"
This girl was driving me nuts. "Get in."
She quickly did.
"Where to?" I asked as we drove past the campus gates.
"Uhm, how about Pizza!"
"It’s only seven in the morning."
"I know a place that serves Pizza twenty four seven."
"And where's that?"
"An hour drive from here."
"Althea!"
"They serve the best Pizza! I promise you would love it." She said in a pleading tone.
"Alright."
She gave me the directions and I drove quietly.
"So tell me about yourself." She started.
"Aren't we done with that during our campfire thingy?"
"You lied."
I smiled. "You caught me." I went on, "So is this the reason why you're abducting me?"
"I'm not the one who's driving. Anyway, spill!"
"Why should I?"
"Coz I want to know you more."
"And why is that?"
"Coz you're my friend."
"I'm not your only friend."
"You remind me of my older brother. I miss him."
"Then shouldn't you be pestering him instead of me?"
"He's dead."
That caught me off guard.
"I'm sorry."
"s'okay."
We reached our destination an hour later. It's a small establishment, an old pizza parlor. Then they have this huge sign that says "Serving pizza 24/7."
Althea and I got out of the car. We were greeted by a skinny old man once we got inside.
This skinny old man was wearing a blue shirt covered by a green apron. He smiled at us, then with a cheerful hoarse voice said, "Welcome dear child, I see you brought a friend with you."
"Mornin papa Gheto, could you give us the house special?" was Althea's reply.
"Of course! Sit down sit down." then he went to the kitchen.
"I see you're a regular here." I told her.
"Yeah." She looked glum.
That made me quite guilty.
"I'm sorry okay; I’m just not used in talking about myself."
"s'okay" She mumbled, not looking at me.
I sighed, why does it make me feel bad to see her so sad like that?
"Okay, you win."
She quickly raised her head and looked at me with those tantalizing eyes.
"I am Robson Mansen, an only child; I love to write and I dream of becoming a great author someday."
She nodded.
"I took up Business Administration and am currently taking up Literature as my second course."
"And?" She asked expecting me to expound.
"That's all I'm sharing missy." No need for her to know anything about my sickness.
"Aww."
"Now's your turn."
"No need to tell my name, well I too love writing, I live alone in a dorm and I love sweets."
"What kind of an introduction was that? Coming from a Lit major?" I asked incredulously.
"You practically know me already. And I don't lie about myself." She said sarcastically.
"Point taken ok?" I absent mindedly played with fork on the table.
"You gonna stab me with that?" She asked.
"No silly."
"You look better today."
"Thank you."
"I mean, compared at the time when we first met, you look better now."
"Oh" was all I managed to say.
"So," I tried to change the subject. "What made you wanna spend time with me?"
She blushed, God, I like that color.
"Nothing, I just don't want to have fun at the beach."
"Oh really? Young college students like you loves having fun all the time."
"Well, maybe I'm not just like them. People think that I'm always happy, that I'm a carefree person. But the truth is, it's all a lie."
My head started to hurt. I winced, I tried my best to hide my discomfort.
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