''Do you believe in love at first sight?'', professor Lawler asked as he abounded his desk. He started to walk among the benches with his fingers merged at his back.
''No'', Sasha replied and some heads were turned her way. Lawler stopped his walking and gave the girl a look that told her he wanted a more developed answer.
''You can't love someone you don't know'', the girl shrugged and her teacher gave away a light nod.
''I see. Now let me tell you all a story about an old man. Every morning, this man wakes up and tosses his legs to the side of his bed. He then stretches and walks up to a mirror that is placed in the corner of his room. Staring at his reflection, he sees how pieces of his hair is pointing at every direction possible. The man starts to fix his hair and when he's done, he smiles pleased, ready to start his day. If you ask me, his hair looks even worse now than it did when he woke up…'', the professor said and some students chuckled, giving him the sign they were listening.
''The old man's smile however makes you overlook this flaw. So the man walks down to the dining room where breakfast is served and joins his two fellow friends over at the porridge and jam table. You can understand by the environment that he's in a retirement home. Good morning gentlemen, he says and they greet him with each smile. He is about to take a plate when he suddenly stops. Who's the new one?, he says quite tranquiller and his friends look up from their serving. The old man is looking at a lady who's reading a book and sipping some tea. The two friends slowly exchange gazes. Do you think I should talk to her?, the old man askes and before they get the chance to reply he straightens his back and says; life is too short! And with those words he walks up to the lady. May I?, he asks polite and the lady look at him for a while before nodding. I'm Albert, he introduces himself and the lady replies with her name, Silvia. The old man and the lady spends the whole afternoon together and you can really see the joy in the man's eyes. So when the night comes, they are about so part ways and he takes the opportunity to ask her if she has a husband. She had, he is told. How was he, your husband?, the old man asks and the lady places a soft smile on her face. He worked as an actor, and he was my best friend, she say and the old man smiles. I worked as a sailor before I retired, he says and the lady nodes with a slight frown on her face. She was about to turn away when he opened his mouth again. This may sound weird, but I think I love you, he says and instead of a slap, he receives a smile from the lady. I like you too, she replies softly and with that, they part ways.
The alarm goes off the next morning and the old man tosses his legs to the side of the bed. He stretches and walks up to the mirror to fix his hair. Today, like any other day, his hair looks even messier after he fix it, but the smile is on its rightful place. He walks down to the dining room and joins his two friends at the porridge and jam section. Good morning gentlemen, he says and they greet him with each smile. He takes a plate and is about to serve himself when he stops. Who's the new one?, he asks with a glint in his eye. His friends looks up to see him staring at a lady who is reading a book and sipping some tea. Should I talk to her?, he asks and his friends exchanges gazes before telling him that he should. With a smile he places the plate down again and says; life is too short!... May I?, he asks as he approach her and she nods with a smile. I'm Albert, he introduce himself and she replies with her name, Silvia. They spend the whole day together before they part ways at night, after he tells her he loves her. This time I'll let you follow the lady to bed instead of dear Albert. She sits on the edge of her bed and opens up an old album. Inside the album there is an article of her husband's most successful acting; the skillful sailor. Next to the article, there is a photo of their wedding day. The title says; Albert and Silvia forever'', professor Lawler finish the last sentence as he once again arrives from his walk around the classroom back to his desk.
''Albert if diagnosed with Alzheimer, jet every day he falls in love with the same woman based on one simple glance, he just can't remember. So do you still not believe in love at first sight, miss Banks?'', the question was asked softly and you could hear someone sob between all the sad faces across the room.
''It's just a story, right'', Sasha replied and her teacher looked at her for a while before nodding.
''Right. Till next class I want you all to…'', as Lawler gave the instructions, the students slowly started to pack their bags.
''Hey, are you okay?'', Roman asked as he and Seth walked up to Sasha's locker.
''Fine'', she replied shortly. They knew this was a lie, she had just broken up with David Otunga.
''Hey Banks, if you want a shoulder to cry against you know you could always come to my dorm'', Randy appeared with Jericho and Shamus by his side. He smirked as his friends laughed.
''Let her be'', Roman tried to defend her but this only caused the three boys to laugh even more.
''Half black, learning white lies. Brothers broke her heart, now she's trying white guys'', Randy quoted with a smirk on his face as he commuted his gaze between Roman and Sasha. He heard how Shamus and Jericho chuckled behind him and the girl started to sob as her head tipped forward to cover her embarrassment. She then hugged her books tighter and walked away, hearing how Randy and his friends laughed behind her.
Roman just stood there, quiet.
