Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Lana was patiently waiting downstairs for Ryan to come out. Surely, he couldn't still be asleep at such a time. She had called him, but it had not gone through—her best guess was the poor reception messing with the cell service.

She decided to go up to his dorm. She had his room number, and so did he. The door was open when she got there, and just like she had guessed, he was still asleep.

The other roommates were lodged in a corner of the room, some girls laying bare on their bodies. Blunt heads of cigarettes and marijuana filled the floor. What a terrible state the room was in! She just hoped Ryan hadn't joined them in the act.

"Wake up, Ryan. Wake up!" Lana was shaking him violently until his eyes managed to open.

"Hey, Lana. What are you doing here?" His eyes were heavy from sleep, a sight Lana was already getting used to.

"I shouldn't be here, but a certain someone can't set an alarm or grow up to know that life is getting serious!"

"Hey, who's this? Is she your mother?" One of Ryan's roommates said as he walked out of the bathroom, a cigarette in his hand.

"Just ignore him." Ryan stood up, rinsed his face, and put on his clothes. "Come on then, let's go," he turned to her as he picked up his bag.

"That is it? You are not going to take your bath or something?" Lana seemed shocked.

"We are running late already. I can just bathe when I get back. Plus, my cologne has a really strong smell, lol, and it's nice."

"I really can't with you. It's too early. Let's just go."

"Your roommates are really nice to live with," Lana said sarcastically as soon as they were on the campus road.

"Oh please, they are the complete opposite. I don't think I can take this for long. Last night was an example of wild. I don't know how I'm going to cope with those guys."

Lana perceived an odd smell as Ryan spoke.

"Please don't try talking to people today. Your breath stinks. And I am sure you'll get used to your roommates. You guys are not so different from each other."

"Ouch!" Ryan exclaimed. "You literally roasted me and hurt my feelings in more than one way. Also, I plan on getting a bubble gum before getting to class."

"So how is your roommate? The beautiful girl from yesterday? Speak to her on my behalf yet?"

Lana got angry each time Ryan talked about another girl or planned on dating.

As a matter of fact, she had hated his ex-girlfriend, Taylor, and had wanted them to be separated so badly. She may have indirectly had a hand in their breakup.

One certain day when Ryan came to her, complaining about not liking the way he was being treated by Taylor, she sought to put ideas in his head—about how jolly Taylor got around Zach and all—fueling Ryan's anger until he decided it was enough and broke up with her.

  ---

Lana was the happiest on hearing the news. She did pretend to be sorry on seeing a heartbroken Ryan. This happened months ago, and she thought she was over it. Now, hearing Ryan talk about Jessie filled her with the feeling again.  

"Ryan, I am sure she wants nothing to do with you. The both of you won't even look good together."  

"You don't know that," Ryan protested. "You know Zach and Taylor are in this school, right? It will feel good to rub it in their faces, and Jessie is a huge upgrade on Taylor—it's very clear to all.  

She has these pretty eyes, a lovely body shape, beautiful hair. Come on, Lana, give me a chance!"  

Complimenting Jessie only made Lana feel worse.  

She totally ignored his plea. "Your class is that way. I guess I will see you later then."  

She turned around and headed to her faculty, while Ryan went the other way.  

---  

Sophia scanned around, looking for the best place to sit in class. It was going to be crowded any time from now, and it was best if she took one at the front where she could hear.  

She found a perfect seat—one by the window and two columns away from where the lecturer would stand. It was mostly occupied by some girls, but a seat was vacant except for a bag dropped on it.  

Clearly, someone was reserving space for a person.  

"Can I sit here?" Sophia asked one of the girls politely.  

The girl cast a weird look at her and nodded slowly.  

"But why can't I sit here? There's clearly no one here, and that bag belongs to you," Sophia pressed.  

"And so what? I like keeping my bag on an extra chair. Please move away, you are blocking the window," the girl finally spoke up.  

Sophia didn't push further. It was clear now that she was one of those rich kids, and it was only going to trouble her further.  

It was almost time for lectures, and she gently sat at a comfortable row—not what she wanted, but she could work with it.  

---  

The professor that came in was different from the one she met yesterday. She looked younger, sharper, and was very stunning facially.  

The professor introduced herself as Mrs. Jameson, a PhD holder with multiple degrees. A brief introduction was done.  

Sophia was impressed by all the accolades this woman possessed.  

When the professor was done, she asked each of them to stand up and introduce themselves to the class.  

"Now, I know you all are expecting me to begin lectures right away," Mrs. Jameson said to them.  

"And I definitely will. But how I work and how I take my classes is a bit unconventional. I like my class to be interactive," the woman continued.  

"I don't know if you get what I mean, but I lecture better when I know my students."  

---

"So, I would like each of you to stand up and take turns introducing yourself to me. Just state your name and why you chose this course—brief and precise," Mrs. Jameson said as she pointed to the first chair in the front row. "You start."  

A girl stood up and introduced herself.  

Sophia, who sat three rows away, began to panic slightly. She would have to stand up, and all eyes would be on her.  

The social anxiety began to kick in and grew more as each person stood up to introduce themselves. The more people that did, the closer it got to being her turn.  

It was only a few people before her now.  

*Breathe,* she said to herself. *It's nothing hard. Just get up, mention your name, and say how you love helping people. What could be hard in doing all that?*  

She raised her head to notice the pattern in which everyone did theirs.  

The girl who had refused to give her a seat stood up.  

"Hey, everyone, my name is Katrina Beige. I am happy to be a student of this great institution. Why I chose this course is because I have always had a passion for being in the medical field. Being able to treat people and save lives is one thing I hope to do in the future. Thank you."  

She sat down, and Mrs. Jameson applauded her a little.  

*Oh my gosh, she speaks with so much confidence,* Sophia said to herself and again felt that pressure getting to her.  

She closed her eyes. *Just breathe. You can do this.*  

"Next person, please," Mrs. Jameson called out.  

Sophia opened her eyes to find out it was her the professor was pointing at.  

"Oh, okay," she said as she stood up and felt like the eyes of the people staring at her were like needles from all angles.  

"Go on then, Miss. The floor is yours."  

"My name is, uhj... I am..." Sophia was stuttering to speak.  

"How did someone who can't construct sentences even make it into this school?" Sophia heard Katrina make a side comment under her breath.  

She took a deep breath and began again, this time building confidence.  

"...My name is Sophia. I chose public health not only because of the benefits of being able to save lives but also because I want to help people in need. I had to witness my grandmother go from being healthy and walking around to being in a wheelchair. That was one of the things, among plenty, that made me choose this course. Thank you."  

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