Chapter 2: Andrea's Present Life

PRESENT-DAY

The sun shined so bright early in the morning. Andrea was walking slowly. Sweaty and nervous. The road was getting crowded when she reaches her destination. She looked up to the university’s ark before going in, lingering on the first day that she will step foot on her newest journey in life. Sighing hard, “This is it, Andrea!”, she exclaimed.

Before stepping foot unto the building, there were faculty heads at the entrance door, tracing and giving flyers to each student about the university’s rules and regulations. “First-year students should go to the auditorium first for orientation! Hurry up before your class starts!”, repeating words you can hear once you’re inside the building. The place was getting crowded as students rushed to the auditorium. The students went in groups as Andrea passed by them. She slowly walked to the corner and found an empty chair. She rounded her eyes toward the other students who seem to get along so well even though it was their first day, she felt jealous. The smile and laughter of the people around her made her uncomfortable, she bowed her head and felt ashamed because she doesn’t have anyone by her side.

The orientation ended by explaining the rules and regulations, their proper uniform, facilities’ proper usage, student dormitories, class schedules, and the universal etiquette inside the university. The crowd disappeared one by one as Andrea wait for the last people to went through their class. She’s shocked when someone talks behind her. “Uhm, hi?”, she nervously looked behind her. Awkwardly smile at the girl who talked, “Hi? Did I know you?”, Andrea asked. The girl gave Andrea a big smile before handing out her hand. “I’m Shera, I think we’re in the same classes? I’m not quite sure but I saw you last time on the enrolment. And oh, I’m not a stalker”, Shera added. Andrea handed her hand and shakes Shera’s hand. “I’m Andrea Key. I didn’t pay attention to people that time because I’m nervous so I’m sorry if I didn’t see you.” She felt at ease, someone talked to her even though people thought she was weird. Shera laughed at her reaction.

“You’re cute. Uh, will you mind if I join you in walking to our classroom?”, Shera asked.

Andrea blushed. “Omg! Sure. I’m sorry if I’m awkward or you find me weird but okay. We can go together. I’m just shy so don’t mind my reactions.”

Shera giggled as Andrea walks a little faster because she was blushing. Her face was all red. “Hey, wait up. It’s fine. Your face is like a tomato but it’s fine. I bet this is the first time someone talks to you on the first day. Sorry for the interruption but I want you to be my friend”, Shera smiled. Andrea froze. “Are you sure about that?”, Andrea asked.

“Of course! And by the way, we should hurry up or else we will be late.”

“Omg! Right! It’s almost time!”, Andrea exclaimed.

They ran toward their room and saw the professor on the other side of the stairs. They went inside and looked for the empty chairs at the back and seated there. After a few minutes, the professor went in and started the introduction.

After two hours, their first-class ended. Andrea bowed her head to take a nap but Shera tried to annoy her. She poked Andrea’s cheek which made her frown. Shera gave her a big smile showing all her teeth which made Andrea laugh. “Are you okay?”, Shera asked. “Yeah, just sleepy. I woke up so early a while ago. I don’t know if I’m excited or just nervous by the thought of introducing myself and so...” Shera wrote something on a piece of paper and show it to Andrea. “After lunch, maybe?”, Andrea said. “Hmm… why not now?”, Shera asked. “Because we have another class and we’re just waiting for the professor to come by? And it’s just one hour class, so…? Later?”, Andrea added. Shera was stopping herself to burst out laughing. Her face showed an expression of amusement and respect for Andrea as she keeps on annoying the quiet girl.

Thirty minutes had passed, there was no one came into their room. Their classmates started to go out by this time. Andrea looked at the window and saw their classmates going out of the campus. “Isn’t it prohibited to go outside if you still have classes?”, Andrea asked Shera. “Well, this isn’t high school anymore.” Andrea seemed unsatisfied with Shera’s answer and just look away. Shera saw it and made Andrea look her way again.

“Wait, what are you thinking?”

“Nothing, but you do have a point there. But I can’t comprehend why do people keep on doing the things we shouldn’t do? Like it was our first day, the orientation told us not to go outside if there were classes, but they still go out. They didn’t understand the whole presentation a while ago? What if the professor came by but late? Or something just came up?”

Andrea wasn’t finished talking when a young girl in a teacher’s uniform went inside the classroom and saw some students only. “Where are the others?”, the girl asked. They were shocked by what they saw. “Uh, guys? I’m asking you. Where are the others?”

“They left already… Ma’am”, Shera answered.

“Okay, why? You already have your schedules and it’s not a good thing to go outside during class hours.” She looked out the window and look back at the students in front of her.  “Oh well, never mind them. Let’s have an attendance, let’s start at the back, put your name on a piece of paper, and gave that to the one beside you until the paper reached me. Gets?”

“Yes Ma’am”, Andrea answered.

Andrea wrote her name and gave the paper to Shera until it reaches the teacher’s table. The teacher counted the number of students and call them one by one to know if the names and numbers were tallied. She thumped the table loudly and said, “Okay 10 first-year students out of 40, you are exempted from my final exam. Reminder! Don’t tell your classmates about this, okay? This is a secret between the 11 of us. If someone tells anybody about this, you will be punished. Do you understand?”, the teacher said seriously. “Yes, Ma’am”, they answered simultaneously.

LUNCHTIME

“What will you buy?”, Shera asked Andrea.

“I have packed lunch so I won’t buy anything”, Andrea said plainly.

“Like, still? You have packed lunch with you? You’re in college now. Come on.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“Just buy anything or you want me to treat you since you allow me to be your friend”, Shera said while giving a big smile to Andrea.

“You shouldn’t do that. Friendship is not about money or what. I’m fine with my lunch. My mom always cooks for us and I’m saving my money for important matters. I can accompany you to the counter.”

“Okay but I’ll buy you something, just a token of friendship?”, Shera pleaded.

“Fine, fine. Do whatever you want but I didn’t tell you to do any.”

Shera’s eyes sparkled. She grabbed Andrea’s hand and pull it over the counter. She bought two big bowls of salad and a sandwich. Andrea shook her head when she saw what she bought. “Are you going to eat all of that?”, Andrea was puzzled. “No, but we will eat all of that.” Andrea face-palmed her forehead. Shera chuckled as she pulls Andrea onto an empty table in their cafeteria.

Shera’s POV

I bought two big bowls of salad and sandwiches for my new friend. I saw how she shook her head when she saw what I bought. “Are you going to eat all of that?”, she asked me. “No, but we will eat all of that”, I answered. She face-palmed her forehead, what a cute person. I can’t hide my expression so I chuckled aloud. I roamed my eyes looking for an empty table and pulled her after. She’s easily startled by anything I’ve been doing and her cute expressions made me want to annoy her more.

I gave her a bowl of salad and a sandwich and she looked at me questionably. “Are you serious? Do you think I can eat all of that plus I have packed lunch?” I continued to give her utensils and ignore what she said. “You need to eat all of that. If you can’t finish it, then packed it up and eat it at your house”, I said as I munch my salad.

She started to open her packed lunch--- white pasta and some garlic bread. I don’t know if she ate so little or if the serving was too small for her. I didn’t ask anything when I saw that. I’m just watching her every move. She started to eat her pasta, slowly. Maybe she’s anxious because someone was watching her eat. “Are you uncomfortable? Do you want me to go to the other table?”, I saw her shocked face. She shook her head and put down the fork that she was holding. She looked at me while saying “I’m sorry if you misunderstood. I’m not comfortable eating in the cafeteria with all the people here. This is my first time eating with so many people and having company. It’s too overwhelming. And it’s not about you, I’m sorry if you misunderstood what I’ve done.” I felt a sudden pain in my heart when I heard those words. I don’t know how to react. I held her hand without a second thought and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m the one at fault here. I didn’t know what you were going through but believe me I know how you feel. And I don’t want you to feel that anymore.” Her eyes were sparkling when she heard my words. It feels like that was the first time she heard those words coming from other people.

We continued eating our food and I can’t stop thinking about her life. As I was watching her, I felt there were so many stories to tell about her. I found her interesting and amusing for a college student that’s why I talked to her. I talked to many people but none of them were like her. She was a different… unique… fascinating lady.

***

Their first day became memorable because of each other. Andrea seemed happy with her new friend. She felt comfortable now after all the effort that Shera exerted for her to come out of her comfort zone. The uneasiness fades away as time goes by. Shera as outgoing as she is-- thinks of Andrea as an amazing person. They waved each other goodbye when they finally reach the university’s gate.

“My first day was memorable because of you”, Andrea said cheerfully.

“Aw, I’m touched. No worries, I will stay by your side until the end”, Shera smiled at her.

“Isn’t it too early for you to say that?”

“Nope, I saw something in you that’s why I talked to you”, Shera smirked.

“What’s that expression?”, Andrea asked puzzled.

“Hahaha, kidding. And oh, my service is here. See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

Shera touched Andrea’s hand one last time and hop inside the car that stops in front of her. Andrea smiled and wave before walking in the opposite direction to get a bus. The two of them wore a smile on their face before going home.

Andrea’s POV

I waved goodbye to Shera and started walking to the opposite side of the road. The feeling was overwhelming, I can’t believe someone talked to me even though I’m quiet and different from people. I waited for some time when a bus stopped in front of me. I hopped in and seated near the window. I glanced back to the university’s ark and think back to the memories I made with Shera a while ago. I smiled.

I reached home and my mom was waiting at the door. “Hi, sweetie! How’s your first day?”, mom asked lovingly. I don’t know what happened but mom was in good mood today. “Well, it’s cool. Someone talked to me and I’m surprised.” Mom patted my head which made me nervous. I looked into her eyes and asked, “Something happened? Or anything you want to talk about Mom?” Mom shook her head and stopped patting my head. “It’s very unusual for you to went home smiling, you look so pretty when you smile, sweetie.” Those words made me blush. I know Mom saw that. And yes, this is the first time I felt belonged to this world. Mom opened the door and lead me inside. She grabbed my bag and put it in one of the kitchen chairs. She cooked my favorite lasagna and told me this is her gift to me for successfully finishing my first day. It’s overreacting, yes, but that’s Mom’s idea of gift-giving.

After eating, I took my leave to go upstairs to rest, my siblings don’t want me to go but I insisted. It was a very good day for me and I hope for Shera too. I grabbed my bag and went upstairs. I changed clothes and checked my school notes before laying down on the bed. I stared at the ceiling and reminisce what happened a while ago, I can’t help thinking but smile.

The long wait is over, someone was interested in my story and my life. It’s shocking. It felt unreal. The tiredness of the whole day caught me up. My eyes started to close, my body was aching for some rest, and I don’t have any energy to do any. I let my consciousness slowly eat my whole body and was lost in dreams. Good night.