Chapter 4

When in the morning there is a knock on the door, he looks around without knowing where he is. When Nancy walks in, with a T-shirt, some underwear, and a pair of jeans she's just bought, he reaches for his wallet to pay her.

- If you're thinking of giving me money, I warn you as I cut all your clothes, new and old, with scissors and you'll have to return to New York naked.

He raises his hands in surrender. He knew that woman was scary and probably already had the scissors in her pocket.

- Breakfast is ready. It's 10 am. Come eat. Then you can go back to sleep if you want. - she says as she puts the clothes on the bed. - I hope you slept well.

- I sleep wonderfully well. - He says, smiling.

Nancy leaves and he gets up. He takes the towel and clothes and leaves the room to go to the bathroom.

He does his usual business, takes a shower, brushes his teeth with the new toothbrush that has been strategically placed for him to see, and goes to the kitchen.

The house smells like bacon, eggs, pancakes and orange juice and coffee, and his mouth waters.

- Good morning, young man – William says, while sipping a coffee.

- Good morning. Sorry for the trouble I'm giving you. I'm leaving today.

- You won't go without first going to college with me. I have an appointment with one of the students in the department. You can take the opportunity to look around the campus or talk to the new Dean.

Sebastian was thinking of going to New York immediately, and taking advantage of the rest of Saturday to finish what he had left pending because of Alex, but he gave up on the idea when he saw William's hopeful face.

- Of course I'll go with you. I will take the opportunity to go see what has changed in college, and visit my old hiding places.

- The ones you used to be on telework? - Victor asked, with a smirk.

- And the ones you used to be with your girlfriends of the moment? - Nancy says, sticking out her tongue.

Sebastian laughs. Those two were the best thing he got out of college, and he loved them like they were family.

- Let's go in the Tesla. I've already peeked at it. I'll be the envy of college.

- Do you want to drive it?

- And the risk of having an accident and having to sell my old body after to fix it? No thanks.

- You won't have any accidents, and if you do, I'm in the car too. You can keep your virgin ass - Sebastian replies with a laugh.

William parked the Tesla, and got out of the car with a grin from ear to ear. He introduced Sebastian to the new Dean and left to meet the student who was waiting for him in his office, leaving them alone.

- Mr. Sebastian Jones, it's a pleasure to meet you and have you back in this house. Do you know that your name is mentioned several times as an example of how Cornell makes successful men?

- It's a pleasure for me to meet you. - Sebastian replies – I came here to ask your permission to let this former student walk around this campus that I miss so much.

- Of course. And if you want, I can ask someone to accompany you.

- No. I really wanted to go alone. Review my old places.

- Rigth. Rigth. But before you go, allow me to take advantage of your presence to make a very special request. I confess I just remembered it, but I'm sure first-year students would be very inspired.

Sebastian frowns

- What are you talking about?

- A seminar. A seminar given by Mr. Sebastian Jones, who is the youngest CEO ever referenced by Forbes. That would open up the kids' horizons. I bet we will have to use the auditorium, because there won't be one student that will miss it.

Sebastian was cornered. How could he say no without offending the institution where he studied and where such good professors teach?

- You know, I'm thinking of taking a few days off work, maybe next week. If you manage to organize something, send me the plan and I'll get back to you. - he says, putting down a business card. – send me an email.

- Thank you – the dean replies, without hiding his happiness.

He sees that the college hasn't changed in the last 2 years, and that even some of the faces were still the same. Some students greet him. He didn't know if it was because they knew him, or because they knew who he was.

When Sebastian starts walking around campus, the scent in the air makes him smile. It smells of pines and cut grass. It smells of hope and success. Near the trees it even smells like weed. How he loved that place, and how he stopped appreciating after his father died. What he most regretted was not having enjoyed the time he had spent there as he wanted.

His feet took him to the lake, near some trees, where he used to sit and work. He sits on the floor and leans against a tree, and when he is pulling out a cigarette, he hears someone crying.

He puts the cigarette back in the pack and stuffs it in his pocket. He gets up and slowly goes to look around.

Sitting among the trees, a young man who looked no older than 18, had his head down and let his tears fall to the ground. When he sees him, Sebastian's first reaction is to pull away. He wasn't from Cornell anymore and had nothing to do with this. But when he looks better, he sees that something is off.

The guy had black hair, slightly long and curly, and he was wearing black jeans ripped at the knees, a black t-shirt, and some Jordons, but it was completely covered in food scraps, as if someone had rubbed the boy with the remains of breakfast. He slowly approaches the boy. When he is close, he speaks softly, trying not to scare him.

- Are you okay kid? Do you need some help?

The boy jumps to his feet and Sebastian raises his hands as if surrendering to the enemy.

- Nothing happened. Everything is fine. I have to go.

Sebastian grabs the boy's arm.

- Calm down boy, I'm not going to hurt you. I don't even belong here. I was a finalist here two years ago. I'm just visiting.

- Yeah, that's fine, but I don't need help from an ex-Cornell Jock. I already have a lot of help from the current ones.

Sebastian lets go of the boy's arm and sighs.

- Look kid, I'm going to sit here and smoke a cigarette. If you want to talk a little, sit down. I don't think you want to go to a dorm in that state... especially if that state has anything to do with your dorm mates.

Sebastian sits down and pulls out a cigarette. He lights it and expels the smoke that has filled his lungs. The boy slowly sits down 3 feet from him and sobs.