I had this idea in my head, then the story just started tumbling out, and I just had to write it down. I know Ski Lodge has arrived, but this is my take on things. I hope you guys enjoy. Also feel free to read and review!
"Did you fall in love with the person or the moment?"
This statement struck out to Joshua Matthews as he sat at in his desk at the NYU lecture hall auditorium listening to the drone of his English professor, professor Smith, comparing 3 characters in a love triangle.
Listening intently, Josh tuned in to the descriptions as his professor went on in great detail. According to his professor he believed his statement to be true, despite what most of the class thought, because one of the couples in the love story they were discussing loved the guy differently. In the love triangle, one girl was in love with the guy from the very start and who he was as the person. While the other girl loved the guy due to an intense moment they had shared and was confused about her feelings because of it.
Josh Matthews took a sip of his black coffee as he scribbled down his notes wondering why his professor's current lecture was drawing him. The plot was predictable, something you would see in a typical TV show, yet the story itself was interesting with its twists, turns, and the solution was clear (he had read ahead) to how the situation would resolve itself. Even with all this in mind, he couldn't quite figure out why he felt like he had a strong connection to the story. His love life was nonexistent which he wasn't really complaining about since adjusting to college life was anything but easy. Yes, it had been a long 2 months since Josh has started NYU and the big change was taking some time to getting used to. Leaving his parent's house from Philadelphia and moving to New York to spend the next 4 years in a dorm hadn't been all that it was cracked up to be. Moving away from his friends, his parents, and starting over wasn't one of his strengths and it was beginning to show through his social interactions at parties and events. Even though he knew quite a few people, he couldn't help but feel something was missing in his life. Something he finally felt comfortable enough to explore, despite everything that was currently going on around him.
"And that is why," the professor spoke up drawing Josh back into the conclusion of his lecture. "We should question to whether the characters love the guy for the right reason. Did they fall in love with the person or the moment? Thank you."
The person or the moment? Josh wrote once more underlining the sentence as students began to file out of the auditorium. What an interesting question indeed. Josh mused as he flipped his composition notebook and stuffed it into his messenger bag. On plain paper it seemed obvious what was going on. But in real life would it be that obvious? With his question in mind, he couldn't help but find his feet carrying him to his professor located at the podium.
"Ah, Joshua Matthews. How are you? To what do I owe your presence?" Professor Smith asked shuffling his papers turning to the brown haired teenager.
Startled by his sudden greeting, Josh stood there stunned, baffled that his professor knew his name since he hardly ever talked to him. "I'm great actually. I just wanted to let you know that your lecture was great as usual. However, it really struck out to me today. And how do you know my name?"
Professor Smith chuckled before continuing, "I believe you introduced yourself along with the handful of students of the first day of class which is something not many students do. Also with your high exam grades and your nose either stuck in that notebook of yours or you listening to my lectures how could I not know that name of one of the most successful students in my class?"
Josh beamed and nervously scratched behind his neck feeling slightly shy. Having an older brother as a teacher had its perks and definitely showed in his academic achievements throughout the years. "I guess having an older brother who is a teacher has its perks," Josh spoke voicing his opinion thinking of his older brother Cory Matthews who currently taught at Abagail Adams High. "Along with parents who have pushed me to do my best in school and my love of learning also helps. I take school very seriously, in fact I actually graduated from high school a year early."
Professor Smith nodded in approval. "Very good and that explains why you look so young." Josh flinched at the word young, a word he hadn't heard used on him for almost 2 years from the NYU student Sophie who gave him a tour of the campus. It was also a word he used to say to a pretty blonde when her flirtatious attempts got out of hand. An odd tug at his heart occurred when he thought of that certain blonde he hadn't seen in awhile and he shook it away focusing his attention back to his professor.
"But I'm sure you didn't come here to tell you your life story or achievements. What brings you here?"
"The lecture. When you stated whether or not the characters loved the guy the same way 'Were they in love with the person or the moment'," Josh began. "I feel as if the answer is really obvious. Even when I was reading the story it was clear from the beginning which love was true."
Professor Smith nodded pleased with Josh's answer. It seemed as if someone had finally pieced together the story the author of the book was trying to tell. "Go on. Which girl is in love with Leonardo for him as a person and which girl fell in love with him because of the moment?"
"Well," Josh stuttered shocked the professor wanted his input. "Rebecca and Leonardo's love is true. Their interactions and emotions have started from the beginning and have grown despite what others think. Madalyn's and Leonardo's love is based off a moment they had together. They were clearly best friends from the start, but by being in the right place in the right time the moment they had together caused the sudden feelings for each other that were never there."
"Excellent, Since you read ahead why do you think most of the class thought Madalyn and Leonardo will end up together instead of Rebecca and Leonardo?" Professor Smith asked wanting to know if his instincts were true. Despite using a teen novel to teach a freshmen class of 200 to fit the requirement of the course plan he was given, he was also hoping to teach an important lesson he hoped his students would appreciate. So far it seemed like none of them grasped it, but with the intelligent teenager in front of him he was sure that Josh was capable of understanding the lesson.
"Because of perception," Josh answered without missing a beat. "Everyone else in the story along with the rest of the classmates thought that Leonardo and Madalyn were meant to be because they looked good together and the adventures they would have together. That's how they saw them. Even though they had great chemistry, they lacked the connection, understanding, and romance that Rebecca and Leonardo have. The author probably wrote this story to show that just because a couple looks good together on the outside doesn't mean they look good on the inside. He probably wanted to show that perceptions shouldn't matter when it comes to romance, that old school romance does still exist. Lately everyone falls in love with the exciting attractive couple instead of the deep romantic couple which I find refreshing." Josh finished realizing how deeply passionate he sounded. It looked like Cory's love for academics wasn't the only thing Josh shared, it was his beliefs.
"So do I," Professor Smith chuckled and couldn't help but marvel at the eighteen-year old's words. Josh Matthews was wise beyond his years. His hopes and beliefs about love were very similar to a teacher he met at a conference a couple of years ago. "What is your brother's name by the way?"
"Cory Matthews." Josh replied without missing a beat.
"Spoken like a true Matthews," Professor Smith grinned. "I should've known by the last name but I wanted to be sure. I meet your brother at a teacher's conference years ago and he is quite an inspiration."
"He really is," Josh said in admiration. He could only hope he could be as successful as his brother one day career wise and relationship wise. "But back to the story. The answer seems so simple in black and white, is it that simple in real life?"
Professor Smith chuckled seeing where Josh was getting at it. Even though Josh had a good head on his shoulders in the classroom, he wondered if he could use the same knowledge in real life. He was confident Josh was able to and hoped he wouldn't prove him wrong. "To you and I it seems that simple on paper. But when it comes to the other readers or anyone for that matter, the novel is really complicated like life often is. If you are ever in a situation like that, it is up to you to decipher perceptions from reality." Professor Smith answered, watching Josh nod his head in understanding. It seemed as if his work was done. Satisfied, Professor Smith grabbed his suitcase eager to send his pupil out into the world, "Now as much as I would like to continue to talk about literature, shouldn't you be on your way somewhere?"
Josh took a moment to consider the professor's words. Professor Smith had answered everything he had asked and had faith that he could handle anything given he didn't get swept up in the drama. With the newfound information in mind, he immediately thought of his brother, his sister in-law, niece, nephew, and a certain blonde he hadn't seen in awhile since moving to the city. Especially the certain blonde who caused a strange tug at his heart that he hadn't seen since she decided to crash a dorm room party a year ago. He had grown since then and was starting to see things differently now. It was time to stop hiding out from his problems and face them.
"Yes I believe I do have somewhere to be," Josh spoke finding a grin slowly appearing on his face. He bid his professor a farewell and walked outside the classroom and into the crisp autumn air towards his destination.