Chapter 2: Extra Credit

The thunder outside woke me out of the crazy dream. I looked around and realized I was drenched in sweat. It wasn't the first time I had this dream, however it never got this far. The first dream I had started with me walking through the woods, into a snowy field. That's when I usually awoke. The last few times however seem to progressively get longer and longer and end with something new added to it. I wonder what it meant.

My alarm clock started sounding away as for it was time for me to wake up and get ready for school. I got up and walked to the bathroom and prepped to take a shower. I removed the bandages that I had wrapped around my cut from the day prior. To my surprise, there was nothing there. I examined my hand and not a trace of a scratch could be found. Of all my medical knowledge I couldn't figure out how it would have healed so quickly. To make sure I wasn't going insane I started going through the trash. Inside I found the gauss, band aid packaging, and bloody tissue paper. I picked it up and was shocked to see it was almost hard as a rock…

My secondary alarm on my phone started to ring and I realized that I was going to be late if I didn't hurry up and get ready. I got showered and dressed in less than 30 minutes. I didn't exactly know where I was going due to me not studying my map like I was supposed to. I'm a huge freak about going places and I want to know exactly where I'm going at all times. Ever since I was little, I felt the need to know exactly where to go especially after watching some horror movies about getting lost and attacked. Thanks to my extra long talk with Sophie I forgot to study it. I put my shoes on and glanced in the mirror to make sure I looked ok. Everything seemed to be fine, who did I have to impress anyway? I grabbed my bag and map and headed out the door.

Surprisingly the campus wasn't hard to navigate. It was a large campus and was definitely a good looking one. The buildings were all assembled with a rust red brick and trimmed in white finish. In the center of campus was a park area with lots of trees. The sidewalk intertwined throughout the park like settings and was lined with benches. Some of the other buildings looked more modern and new but still fit in with the rest of the campus. Lots of people walked freely from class to class despite the dreadful rain. I thought I had made a good decision to stay away from an Ivy League school so that I wouldn't have to deal with the rich and snobby, however I noticed that lots of the students walked past me had designer bags and umbrellas. I was never one to want the finer things in life. Maybe because of the way I grew up? A flash of lighting stopped me in my tracks and caught me off guard. I looked up towards the dark clouds and rain. The weather didn't look like it would get any better anytime soon.

I made it to the student center easily. It was one of the more modern looking buildings and had lots of windows. The middle of the building was a grayish white and had a large clock at the top. I entered the building and closed my umbrella. The surprisingly large room was filled with other freshman who looked just as confused as I did. We were all here to meet our freshman advisors and gather our scheduling. A lot of them seemed to talk amongst each other and make friends; I on the other hand know my main focus. I walked through the crowds and made it to the desk. The secretary behind the counters name was Felicia. She was very pretty and had long straight red hair. Her outfit reminded me that of those who work in high fashion stores in the mall. I realized she was probably the best dressed faculty member in the building.

"Hi can I help you?" she softly asked. "Yes, I'm looking for Mr. Paraffin, he's the freshman student advisor" I said clearing my throat in between my words.

"Oh yes. Why aren't you lucky" she said

"Why is that" I asked

"He is a looker! His office is right down the hall, third door on your right. Ill page him and let him know you are on your way. What's your name Hun?"

"Rena, Rena Wyatt" I replied.

"Kay, Rena I'll let him know you're here"

What a very friendly lady. I began walking down the hall towards his office. It was decorated with pictures of past deans as well as class photos of successful graduates. I realized that there weren't many female deans and that kind of angered me. I stopped to look at one picture in particular because it was a group picture of all the students who graduated with masters in the medical fields. This is where I wanted to be one day, helping others. Another student brushed by me and walked into one of the offices and began talking. I better hurry and get to Mr. Paraffin's office. I arrived to his door, it was closed. As I lifted my hand to knock a voice came through…

"Come in Miss Wyatt" the voice said.

I hesitated for a moment, then opened the door. I entered the room and began to look around. His office wasn't too big but also wasn't too small. It was the perfect sized office and yet still bigger then my dorm room. Along the one wall he had book shelves with lots of medical books as well as regular literature books. The opposite side wall had a water cooler, which was full, as well as some plants and trophies from his high school years. Before I could really get a good look at them he spoke.

"If you could, please close the door behind you." I obeyed his request and closed the door. He was at his desk, with his back facing me.

He seemed to be putting some files away pulling out others. He finally shut the drawer and turned to face me. Talk about handsome. He stood up to shake my hand and I almost didn't give him mine in return. He stood maybe 6 feet tall, had long dark brown hair which was pulled back into a pony tail. A strand of hair came into his face and laid next to his eyebrows, that's when I noticed his eyes. They were a golden hazel and full of life. It almost looked as if they were filled with liquid gold which sparkled at me. He smiled at me and his teeth were bright and white, almost amazingly perfect. He looked to be in his mid 20's. Saying he was close to 30 might be pushing it. He smiled and the expression on his face was almost telling me that he knew what I was thinking. I was thinking that he was the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. I finally gave him my hand to shake. It took my breath away how cold his hand was, and when I looked down I realized how pale his skin was compared to mine.

"Hello Miss Wyatt, have a seat." He took his hand away quickly when he noticed me staring at it. "Please forgive the chill factor of my office. I like the cold so I have my air condition running at all times." That explains his cold hand.

"What do you think of Seattle? I know it's a far cry from New Jersey where you grew up, how are you adjusting?" he asked.

"I haven't really gotten to explore the city much, I just arrived yesterday and spent the evening unpacking" I said more freely then I expected. I'm usually a one word answer type of gal when it comes to strangers, especially good looking ones.

"Ahh, well when the rain subsides you should definitely take a look around. There is a lot to see in this city. So what brings you to SPU? It says here that you could have gone to any Ivy League school of your choice?"

"I heard there were a lot excellent hospitals in Washington, and I heard the medical schools were just as good, so…that's how I made my decision" I said, once again giving more information than usual, was this guys good looks casting a spell on me?

"Well I'm glad you made this choice; there are lots of great doctors around here. Are you looking to be a big city hospital doctor or wherever you can go you'll take?"

I smiled because that's a question that most people ask that others wouldn't think too. "Being a doctor is my goal, where I work isn't the issue as long as I'm helping a person that's the way I see it." I responded.

"I like that. A lot of students who want to join the medical field do it solely for the money. It's good to see the newer generation wanting to actually make a difference. There are a lot of good hospitals in the city of Seattle but even outside of the city there are plenty opportunities for employment. A good friend of mine used to be a head doctor in a small town called Forks, it's about 4 hours outside of the city."

I smiled enthusiastically at him as he spoke. He probably thought I was going to be a freak stalker like one of those girls from the movies. "Ok well let's look at your file and see what classes you have and make sure everything is set"

He opened the folder and started rummaging through the paper work. He pulled out a sheet that had all the classes that I had selected. He began rubbing his chin as if he was in thought. He turned to his computer and started typing. "Hmmm" he said out loud.

"Is there a problem?" I asked.

"There seems to be an issue. One of the classes you selected, Anatomy, we're going to have to switch." He said.

"May I ask why?"

"Well, the professor that taught that class recently passed away. She was hiking in the mountains and was attacked by a bear" he responded

"Oh…" was all I could manage to get out.

"The other issue we're running into is that the other Anatomy classes are beyond capacity"

"What about online courses?"

"Not offered for this class"

I took a deep breath trying to remain calm, but then realizing that I would now be forced to take that glass next semester started to weigh heavy on my chest. Next semester is the longest and most crucial to my freshman year.

"The only option we have now Miss Wyatt, is to fill that class with an elective to give you more credits. Without that class your shy three credits."

Great, another issue: just my luck to run into road blocks when I'm trying to get my life in order for my career path.

"Okay, well what are my options?" I asked.

"Well it looks like your options are Digital Photography…or Digital photography" he let out a laugh, but cut it short when he saw the lack of amusement in my face.

"Digital Photography… well… I guess if I need the extra credit, I'll do it."

"Great! Here is a list of supplies you'll need to get for the class. There's an old camera shop down town that you might be able to get a used Digital SLR, for a good price. Here's the address."

"Digital…S…what?" I asked confused.

He let out a heavy laugh. "It's the type of camera you'll need for the class, I'm sure the professor will explain it on day one."

"When's day one?"

"Uh, Tomorrow at 9am" he smiled and handed me the paper with my schedule.

He looked at the time and told me to hurry on; my first class was starting in 15 minutes. I gathered my things and shook his hand. The coldness sent a shiver down my spine. I walked out of his office and made to the end of the hall. The secretary named Felicia was there smiling, almost waiting for me.

"What did you think? Handsome right?" she said chewing her gum loudly

"Handsome is an understatement." I replied back and walked out of the student center. I opened my umbrella and began walking towards my class. "Maybe you'll end up liking the class, maybe it will be good for you" I thought to myself.

"Yeah right…."