Walking the halls of her first day in college with Torrin, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. When she had showed up here, she thought nobody would be nice enough to take her in but Torrin's parents were definitely nice. She got a warm bed, meals, and she even had a friend. Her and Torrin were like brother and sister. They shared everything together except for, you know, personal toiletries.
Stopping right next to her first class, Torrin turns to her. "Well, this is where your first class is, Sarah. Advanced English, right?" he said, making sure the destination was correct.
She nods. "Uh-huh. Advanced English." she acknowledged him.
"You know, I really support your life-long dream to become a writer, Sarah. I hope you write great things in the future." said Torrin with a smile.
"But I already write great things, Torrin." she said with a laugh.
He pats her on the head, being a foot taller than her. "I know. I like reading what you write." he said, "I got to get to class now. I'm sad that we're not in the same classes together."
With her books grasped tightly in her arms, she tilts her head to the side and up and smiles at him. "I'll be fine, Torrin. You go to class now." she said.
"Okay then. See ya during break." he said, waving to her as he left to class.
Turning to go into the classroom, she runs into a dark red-haired girl who shoves her out of the way and makes her way into the classroom. Being shoved, Sarah finds herself tripping over the hallway rug, books and papers flying everywhere. Getting on her knees to pick everything up, she doesn't notice as a blonde-haired man walks up and kneels down next to her. As their hands find each other on top of a romance novel, Sarah looks up to see him.
"Uh…" she began.
"My name's Nicholas Deidrich. I'm from Germany." he introduced himself with an accent.
"Uh, thanks Nicholas."
"You can call me Nick."
"Okay, Nick." She blushes deeply as she says his name. "I better get inside." She indicates the classroom she's in front of as she stands up with all but one book in her hand. Nick stands up with the remaining book. He looks at it before giving it to her.
"Pride and Prejudice, huh. You're that type of reader." he said.
She looks embarrassed. "Well, uh...I'm actually into adventure novels. Love the action and excitement." she said, face a little red. A bell could be heard somewhere in the background.
"Um, I really need to get to class." she nods to the classroom door. Nick notices but doesn't move.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Sarah. Sarah Auger." she replied.
Nick prepares to leave. "See you around, Sarah." he said before he left.
She walks into the classroom just as the teacher marks her absent. They do that just because you're not in your seat. she thought as she went to sit down in a seat. The teacher notices her and doesn't make a move to change the attendance.
"Good morning, students. Today we'll be learning the properties of literature, in-depth. Now…" the teacher began.
I know I need to learn this to become a great writer, but I really hate this teacher. Just face it, Sarah. You'll have to listen to this every single day so you can live your dream. As she was lost in thought, she didn't hear when the teacher had asked her a question.
"Huh?" she said, confused by the look the teacher was giving her. Great. Now he's gonna mark me off as the bad student and I don't want that. she thought.
Not listening, are we? thought Mr. Reynolds spitefully. He walked over to her and placed his hands on the desk she was at. "What is your name, Miss?" he asked.
"S-Sarah, sir. Sarah A-Auger." she replied nervously.
"Well, Ms. Auger. If you would of been listening you might of been able to answer the question." he said, wanting to get on with this class yet also wanting to berate the new student. He didn't care if she didn't know how to listen, he wanted her to show him some respect starting from the moment she walked in.
"W-What q-question?" she asked. He's starting to scare me now.
"Guess." he ordered.
Oh my god. He wants me to guess the question. What is the question? If only I should have been listening. "Um, uh…" She was lost. She couldn't think of anything but how much she already hated the teacher.
"What is one of the properties of english literature?" Mr. Reynolds repeated the question anyway because he was growing impatient.
One of the properties of english literature? "Well written work?" she attempted to answer the question.
"Wrong! It could have been pre-writing, brainstorming, drafting, etc." he said, berating her for her attempt.
Sarah stands up from her seat. "What do you want from me!? I'm new here! That doesn't give you the right to berate me! So calm down mister!" she yelled frustratingly in his face.
Mr. Reynolds stands back, alarmed. Then he looks calmly at Sarah. "You're quite an outrageous student, Sarah. Do you have any dreams? They say those with dreams are the most outrageous." he said.
"Uh, no one says that." she said, calling him out.
"You may be right. Besides I'm the one that believes that."
The bell rings and students begin to dismiss themselves. Sarah starts to pick up her books but Mr. Reynolds stops her.
"I'd like to talk with you for a bit. Why don't you stay for a while?" he said.
"But-"
"No buts. Just stay for a bit." He folds his arms as he leans against the desk.
"Why would you want to know my dreams?"
"I'm interested in what goes through that head of yours. Why you think it's acceptable to not listen in class. Are you that arrogant?"
"No." I just think that you're a jerk. She rolls her eyes at him.
He looked at her with an annoyed look on his face. "Liar! I saw your eyes roll! You're lying!" screamed Mr. Reynolds.
"Dude, I'm not lying. I just don't want to talk to you anymore." After looking him in the eyes for a bit, she looks past him at the chalkboard.
He notices her eying the board and stands in front of where she was staring. "What's wrong? You can't look me in the eyes as we speak?"
She looks down at the desk. "Can I go now?" she asked.
"Sure, go ahead." Mr. Reynolds gives her a sad look as she heads out the door after grabbing her books. Interesting. For a new student there's something about her that's quite mysterious. He thought as he went over to sit at his desk.
After Sarah had finished all her classes for today, she went to her room which was at Torrin's parents' place since they didn't have enough money to buy them dorms at the school. Laying comfortably on her bed, she didn't notice when Torrin walked in.
"So, how was your first day?" he asked with a smile. She sits up on her bed to look at him with a tired expression.
"Soooo tired...English teacher hates me, I think...and all those lectures were soooo long." she replied while yawning.
Torrin chuckles a bit before speaking. "You'll get used to it. College isn't that bad when you're interested." he said, "I'm gonna go into town for a smoothie. Wanna come with?"
At the mention of a smoothie, Sarah's expression changes from tired to happy. "I'd love a smoothie!" she said excitedly as she stood up off her bed.
Once they were at the mall and had gotten their smoothies, Sarah's first sip sent chills to her brain. "Mmm! So Torrin, is this another one of your chances to get out and explore?" she asked as she nudged him. Torrin smiled at her. He couldn't help but always smile at her. He knew that he was in love with her but did she feel the same way about him.
"Um, you know me so well, Sarah. I always find an opportunity like this to get out and enjoy the fresh air and to explore the town a bit. So, how are you? Is your writing coming around great for ya?" he answered with a question of his own. Sarah frowns as she sips more of her smoothie.
"What's wrong? Did you drink too much smoothie?" asked Torrin, worriedly.
"Uh, no. I...I haven't gotten around to writing anything all day." she answered.
"Was school too busy for ya?" he asked. He wanted to help her if she had any trouble with anything. As they walked through the mall, passing tons of stores Sarah found herself stopped at a bookstore. Looking through the window at a few books being displayed, she can't help but imagine a book that she would write sitting in that display. She closes her eyes and smiles, relishing the thought. Torrin stands besides her and watches her with a blank expression on his face.
"No. School was fine. I have a lot of other things on my mind." she replied to Torrin's question. Other things like and Nicholas Deidrich. She turns toward the exit and starts walking towards it. Torrin follows her.
"If you need help with anything, I will always be available." he said as he got in step with her, walking right next to her. She looks at him and smiles while walking.
"Thanks Torrin. You're the bestest friend I could ever have." she said.
"But you already have me." he said.
She blushes and gives a small laugh. Torrin always made her feel happy, even in the most saddest situations.
At home just after dinner, Sarah was dressed for bed and was about to shut out the lights when someone knocked on her bedroom door. She went to answer it and saw it was Mr. Yong checking up on her.
"How're you doing, Sarah? How was school?" he asked.
"It was great, Mike. I had a great time at school." she answered.
"Heard from Torrin that you haven't written anything today. Writer's block?"
She nods.
"Well, I hope you'll be able to write some good things tomorrow. Good night, Sarah."
"Good night to you too, Mike." She closes the door as Mr. Yong heads off to bed. Getting into her bed she slowly drifts off to sleep and begins to dream.