Chapter 11: Strange Circumstances
"Mace, please stop laughing. It's not funny when your French teacher tells you that you were in his dreams."
"Ari, this is just too funny. I mean, you do have a pretty face but the fact that our French teacher told you that is just creepy on so many levels."
"Tell me about it. But hey, I'm not responsible for his jacked up subconscious. And besides, at least he didn't make any solid gesture towards me." She gave Macy a mischievous wink.
"Well, Sir Dom was just being a gentleman. It was really cold while I was waiting for a taxi and he happened to be there. So being a good guy that he is, he just offered me his jacket and I respectfully declined. Unlike you, you were in an old man's dreams while he was sleeping beside his wife."
Macy laughed heartily. When Macy said this, Ariadne felt somewhat offended because it was strangely wrong to end up in a teacher's dreams while he was sleeping beside his wife. She has always been professional and she never dared to drop even the slightest hints to her teachers. Even though she desired men who were a few years older than her, it was a disgusting thought to be romantically linked to a man in his early forties, let alone her teacher.
"Hey Ari, I was just kidding. You seem troubled with something."
They were strolling through the campus and checking out a couple of bulletin boards. Ariadne had found out that Macy was also fond of walking, and she was glad that there she found someone else who also took solace in walking.
"Um, it's just that I sort of feel I'm not doing the best that I should be. I mean I'm doing good in all of my subjects, it's just that I think my efforts aren't good enough."
"Ari, stop it. If I would be a stranger who'd look at your report card, I would think you're a natural genius. Don't ever doubt that you're capable of graduating summa cum laude. You are intelligent, Ariadne. And if ever a quiz would disappoint you, don't be. Having a good score on a 20-point quiz is not going to make the difference between passing or failing. It's your attitude, Ari. I know you love Biology and nothing's going to stop you. Nothing."
"Mace, I am so lucky. Thanks for listening to my petty insecurities. I owe you a lot. In fact, I haven't even asked you how life's treating you."
"Aside from my average grades and complicated family, everything's okay I guess. Except this guy I'm in love with turns out to be gay."
"You mean Alvin is gay? You guys were childhood sweethearts and when you tell me about him, he sounds perfect for you. What makes you say he's gay?"
"He seems so distant. And he knows I like him but every day he's worlds away. And now he has an internship in Chicago and I wouldn't see him as much as I want to. We are friends, but I can't just move on from him. I know he's the one."
"I know things seem messy between you two, but I think you just need to give your relationship some time. Maybe he thinks he's not worthy of you or something. You guys have always known each other so well, and he wouldn't risk doing anything that could jeopardize your friendship. Hang on, dude. You can't let go of that one person who'll make your entire life make sense."
"Oh Ari, being the girl that you are, I know you'll find someone special. But hey, your love life should be the last of your priorities. Study hard."
Ariadne laughed. "Okay, okay."
Ariadne wondered why her friend didn't really acknowledge her advice. She saw sadness on Macy's face, but she was there to make sure that her friend would always be bubbly. Once again, midst her hectic academic life, Ariadne tried to imagine herself in a man's loving arms. But she shook the thought from her head. As much as she loved watching Casablanca and reading The Great Gatsby, she couldn't and wouldn't allow her mind to be intoxicated by romantic thoughts.