The next morning I didn't remember my dream at all and I awoke to the loud knocking on my door. I got up quickly, knowing that I was in no fit state to be receiving visitors, but I fixed myself the best I could without a mirror and opened to door. One girl and one boy stood in the doorway, smiling as though they just won the lottery.
"Hello! I'm Sarah! I live next door to you." She said shaking my hand.
"And I am Tenchi. I live across from Sarah. I believe you will be attending Varsoon. Is that correct?" He said.
"Don't be so rude, Tenchi!" Sarah said.
"No, it's alright. Yes, I am going to be attending Varsoon. Are you?" I asked, hoping that there would be one person there who I would already know.
"No, I won't. I am attending Halls. It's a pre-med college. This is my first year there though. So, I will probably be in this building for a while. Sarah is attending Varsoon though. Aren't you Sarah?" Tenchi said poking her.
"Ouch! Tenchi! Yes, I am going to Varsoon. This is my second year. So we probably won't have any classes together." Sarah said rubbing the spot that Tenchi poked.
"Oh, that's too bad." I said a little disappointed.
"Don't worry! You will make friends in no time! Well, we just wanted to stop by and welcome you, got to go now." Sarah said.
"Alright, well thank you. It's nice to meet both of you." I said.
"It was nice to meet you as well." Tenchi said.
"Yes, well bye then." Sarah called from the stairs.
"Bye." I waved. I went inside my room and watched them leave from my window. It seems that I wasn't the only one that walked everywhere. Maybe all students don't have cars, maybe it's the way of the student or something like that.
I looked down at my watch, it was 8:20. A little too early to go to the school, but I needed to be presentable anyway, I bet Sarah and Tenchi are laughing about how I looked right now. I gathered a few toiletries and left to the bathroom, hoping against hope that there wasn't anyone in there. I edged through the door and peaked around the corner and luckily I was alone.
I happily hopped in my shower, letting that hot water work it's magic. Taking time to really scrub, wasting time was more like it, but I was enjoying this too much. I was getting ancy about someone else coming, which finally made me get out and get dressed as quickly as I could, in a cute outfit, if I do say so myself. I was in a pretty knee length skirt and a white flowery blouse. My shoulder length auburn hair hung about me in a tangled mass. I blew dry it, which is usually the longest part of getting ready. I decided to leave it down today despite how hot I knew it was going to be. I added a little touch of make up and then stopped to admire myself in the mirror. I had pretty days and ugly days, and today was definitely a pretty day. I was absolutely beaming with confidence, which was rare for me. I was so excited about the day I nearly skipped to my room. I found my sandals in a box labeled shoes and I grabbed my map and headed out the door. I made it down the stairs and almost out the front door when the telephone rang. I stood there, staring at the phone, wondering if I should answer it. After a few rings it seemed like no one was going to, I bounded to the phone before it stopped ringing and said, "Hello?"
"Hello, I am calling for Tenchi Borrak, is he in?" said a woman's voice, she sounded rather annoyed.
"No, I am sorry, he is not. He left about an hour or so ago. Shall I take a message?" I asked.
"No, that won't be necessary. You have been most helpful. Thank you." Click. Well, that was weird. Maybe it was Tenchi's mother, but for some reason I just didn't think so. I decided to push Tenchi's personal life out of my mind, best not to get mixed up in anyone else's life. I hastily went out the door, with a feeling of trying not to get caught doing something wrong. The sun felt very nice on my skin, warming me up immediately. I walked on the same path that I walked before, only this time I took a left, where last time I took a right. The map that Ms. Albania gave me had red notes all over it, and a line, which I was following to the school. She is so helpful; I am glad I live in her building. It didn't take me but thirty minutes to reach the school, which isn't that long considering I was walking.
The first impression that I got from just looking at the school was strict. It looked very strict. I made my way up the stairs and through the front doors. There were people going in and out of the building, none of whom I knew, of course. I found my way to the office, which wasn't hard because there were quite a few people in and out of it. As soon as I walked in as woman sitting behind the front desk said, "May I help you?"
"Yes, I start school tomorrow and I was wondering if I could get a schedule of my classes and a map of the school and a list of my course books." I replied a little too quickly.
After a moment she said, "What is your name?"
"Kari Minosua."
"Alright, one moment." She said shuffling through some papers and files. "Here we are, Minosua. Right? Here you go, and wait here and I will get you a map and your course book list." She handed me my schedule and I leaned against the wall as I waited for her to return.
She finally came back through the door behind her and handed me what I needed. "You may take a self-tour today, but all of the rooms are locked. There will be an orientation this afternoon at 5:00 if you wish to come." She said.
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Ireplied, backing towards the exit. Once out the door I started walking towards my first class, which was to be English. It's good I only have four classes a day, I can go to my job in the afternoon. I eventually found my way to all eight of my classes. I would have a different four every other day. One day would be English, History, Vocal, Line Reading. The other day would be Math, Science, Keyboard, and Harmony. I could tell that this year was going to be hard; I mean, I already knew it was, but now I am starting to feel the full weight of it all.
An hour later, I found myself back out into the sun. "Well, all that little tour did was intimidate me." I said aloud to myself. My stomach then did a somersault and I realized that I hadn't eaten since before the plane ride. Yesterday. I walked until I found a restaurant, or a small diner really. It was called Purellie, very quaint little diner. Very open too. There were large windows and the door was wide open. I went in, it really didn't matter what kind of place it was, atthis point, all I was concerned about was that it served food, and my stomach told me to go there.
As soon as I walked in a girl at the podium said, "Hello, just one today?"
"Yes, only me, thank you." I replied.
"Alright follow me please." I followed her to a two person window seat. She laid down a menu on the table and said, "Sandy will be right with you."
"Okay, thank you." I took a look around me. This place was not as small on the inside as it looked on the outside, but one thing it was, was bright. It wasn't the low lighting that you see in regular restraunts. It was sunny and warm, but not to warm. Almost perfect. From where I was sitting, you could see right on to the kitchen, where people were putting food on the counter, waiting for the people on the other side to take it. After taking in all my surroundings I glanced down at the menu. Everything was reasonably priced, but still to much for me, but since I was already here, I decided to get the cheapest thing on the menu, a cold cut sandwich.
A few minutes after I decided, another girl came to stand by my table. "Are you ready to order or can I just get you something to drink?"
"No, I am ready. I would like a water and a cold cut sandwich." I said hastily, I didn't want to have to wait any longer for food, my stomach was beating me for having waited this long.
"Alright. Will that be turkey or ham?"
"Ham please." I said, my stomach rumbling embarssingly louder by the second.
"Okay, I will be right back with your water." She said and hurried off. I sat straight up in the chair trying not to think of how hungry I was as I watched her go into the kitchen. I watched to people pass by outside, no one was walking by themselves. I was sighing with self-pity when the waitress came back with my water and sandwich.
"Everything alright dear?" the waitress asked, and actually seemed to have a little concern show on her face.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." I said, forgetting about my worries for the moment and concentrating on my sandwich, which luckily was large.
"Alright then. Let me know if you need something." She said and then walked away. I took a big bite out of my sandwich and chewed a little too fast, I almost choked. The nearby costumers turned to me with a weird stare.. I smiled back to let them know I was fine. I am so stupid sometimes! I ate more slowly now, trying not to cause any more attention to myself. When I was finished, the waitress came right on cue, as if she had been watching and handed me the check and left again. I put two dollars on the table and paid at the register and walked out into the sunlight. I hurried back home to practice my voice and keyboard, it was still early, but I needed quite a bit of practice. I got home fairly quickly and rushed up the stairs. I got to my apartment and pulled out my keyboard and my headphones. I only practiced about fifteen minutes before there was a knock at the door. I reluctantly answered it, I wanted to get some practicing done. Behind the door was a handsome fellow with brown hair and brown eyes. Love at first sight.
"You are Kari Minosua, right?" said the man.
"Yes, that's me." I replied in awe.
"Hi, I am Cliff Thompson. I live downstairs. Well, anyway, I just came up here to give you, your messages, cause I didn't know if you knew that all messages are supposed to be written down on the notebook that is beside the phone." He said.
"No, I didn't know that. Thank you." I said taking the piece of paper he handed me.
"No problem, well got to go. See ya around." He said turning and walking down the stairs. Just as quickly as he had come, he left. Wow, he was so cute. I wonder if he has a girlfriend. I want to be his girlfriend, but as cute as he is he probably already has one. I sighed, coming to the realization that a guy like that would only want hot blondes and sunk down to the floor to read my messages. One message was from Mary, telling me I'd better call her and the other was from Bonnie's Bookstore. That was one place that I put in a application! I got up and hurried to the phone, downstairs. I dialed the number that was written on the paper. I waited impatiently as it rang. A girl finally answered.
"Bonnie's bookstore, Raven speaking, how may I help you?" said the girl.
"Yes, my name is Kari Minosua and I received a message today about my application. May I speak with the manager?" I asked politely.
"One moment." The girl said and then put me on hold. I waited for a good three whole minutes before someone answered.
"This is Megan, how may I help you?" said another girl with a deeper voice.
"Hi, my name is Kari Minosua and I received a message about my application today." I said again.
"Yes, Kari. I left that message. Can you come in today for an interview? Before five preferably?" she asked.
"Yes. I can. Is four okay?" I asked excitedly.
"Four is perfect. I will see you then. When you come in ask for Megan, alright?" she said.
"Okay, thank you." I said happily.
"Okay, byebye." Click. I hung up the phone and then called Mary and just did a quick reassurance with her, I didn't have time to talk. I had to practice and then go to an interview and then go to orientation at five. Today, I was fairly busy. I hoped it would stay this way. After I convinced Mary that I was fine, I went back upstairs and practiced a few hours with no disturbances, thank goodness.
Around three o'clock I left to go to the interview, better early than late I thought. I took time to get to know my surroundings today, since I did have time, after all. I noticed how many people actually walked around these parts. I didn't feel bad at all that I walked anymore, it seemed like almost everyone walked here. I noticed that the park was almost never empty and neither were the streets, even late at night. Everything was clean too, there was no trash on the streets or debris. Very nice, I am glad that I am here, I thought. I made my way to the mall, which is where the bookstore was. I was outside the store at three thirty-five. I decided to go in and look around, instead of standing outside looking stupid. A girl dressed in uniform with black hair and black make-up was leaning over the counter. I approached her.
"Um..Excuse me, is Megan here?" I asked timidly.
"Yeah, one sec." the girl said and then she picked up the microphone and said. "Megan, there is a girl at the front to see you." Click. That wasn't the way I wanted to be announced, but…oh well. I slided away from her, I didn't feel too comfortable around her. The girl who I supposed was named Megan came from behind a bookcase to a halt in front of me.
"Hello there, you must be Kari." She held her hand out for me to shake. I shook it.
"Yes, I am." I said.
"Good. I am Megan Keller. I am the evening manager here. Well, usually. I am filling in for someone right now. Anyway, I will be the one to give your interview."
"Nice to meet you." I replied.
"Right, well follow me please." I followed her through the rather large bookstore and she explained about the store as she walked. "We did have a lot of Persocoms working here, but one day the owner suddenly decided not to have them anymore, I don't know, why but she did. Anyway, if hired, you will have multipule tasks to do, but mostly that will consist of stocking and being a cashier and of course helping costumers as needed. What do you think about that?" she paused to ask me.
"That sounds fine to me." I replied, not knowing what else to say.
She took me throughout the store and told me all about my job and the duties I would be performing and everyone else who worked here and about the boss and the pay and the hours and everything seemed like the perfect job. She seemed to like me well enough too. She kept saying little jokes, that I politely laughed at. I had a good feeling.
"Well, Kari, you seem like you would be a good worker. How about starting tomorrow, at five o' clock?" Megan said at the end of the interview.
"That sounds great!" I said excitedly.
"Good. I will see you tomorrow then." She smiled at my obvious anxiousness.
"Yes, alright. See you tomorrow then." I said and then turned to leave. I checked my watch; it was already four fourty-five. It would take me twenty minutes just to get to the school! I dashed through the mall ans slowed down next to the mall security guard ans as soon as I got outside, I burst out into a sprint. The only way I think I could have run faster was if there was a large, mean dog chasing me. I didn't focus on anyone or anything, although I felt sure that everyone I passed stared after me, but I didn't care. I was late! It's a good thing that I wore sandals instead of high heels or flip-flops. I could only imagine my humiliation at that! I arrived at the school in record time or so I thought, even though I was still ten minutes late.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead and straightened my clothes; I knew I probably looked like I had just come from a natural disaster or something. This is going to be awful. Maybe I should not go in. My first impression to my teachers and I look completely dismantled. I had looked so good this morning too; all my confidence that I had this morning was shot and I was feeling pretty low. I felt so bad, I just wanted to cry. I slumped down on the steps catching my breath. I sat for a few minutes and contemplated whether or not I should just go home. Then I heard my name being called.
"Kari!" I looked up to see Sarah running up the street. I waved slightly, to let her know I heard her. When she finally reached me, she said, "Kari! What are you doing out here? The orientation is inside!"
"I was going to go to the orientation, but I am late and now I don't know if I should go in or not." I said with a sigh.
"Ah! Don't worry, I am late all the time! As a matter of fact, I am late right now." She laughed. "Come on, let's go in together. What happened to you? You look like you have been hit by a bus girl!" She said, hooking my arm in hers and steering me towards the door.
"Ugh! I know! I ran all the way here from the shopping mall. I don't look too bad, do I?" I asked, nervously patting down my skirt.
"Ah…don't worry; you look fine. No one will even think twice about it. Come on." She tugged on my arm and I followed her lead. Sarah was definitely an outgoing person if I ever met one. She's so…confident. I wish I was like that, I thought as I was led through the large doors of Varsoon. The halls were empty, but you could tell there was commotion going on at the end of the main hall. I listened to our footsteps as we walked through the building.
"This way." Sarah whispered as she tugged me to the left. We came to a halt at an open door where we listened to a man making a speech. We slid quietly through the door and made our way to some empty chairs in the back.
"Nice of you to join us ladies." Said the man speaking in front of the group. I flushed and smiled embarrassed. "Now, this school is just like any other school, the only difference is we specialize in music. We have fundraisers and school functions, just like any other school. There are clubs and school activities that you, the student, can join. Of course our main objective is your musical talents. You were especially selected for this school, which means you are already good. Really good, but after you go through this school, you will be among the elite. This school can be fun, but that's not what this school is all about. It's tough! There are challenges! But don't be intimidated! You were selected among thousands, we already believe you can do it! Now all you have to do is do it!" He paused for a minute and looked around the room. "Now, do we have any questions?" He waited. "Anyone?"
I timidly raised my hand.
"Yes, young lady in the back." He pointed to me.
"Yes, I have a question. Where do we get the information on the clubs and activities?"
"Good question!" the man smiled happily. "Right over on that table in the corner is all the brochures for those things. Anything else?"
A guy in the front of the room said," Does the school help you get started in your music career once you graduate?"
"Yes, the school counclor can help you will that. Please see her." He replied.
"Is he the headmaster?" I whispered to Sarah.
She leaned closer to me and said, "Yes, he's really cool too. I don't think I have ever seen him mad. He's real down to earth."
He continued to answer questions for another thirty minutes and then he let us out. I grabbed some brochures before I walked out into the night air with Sarah. The light breeze was warm and it swirled my skirt around me.
"Sarah, will you walk with me home? I am still a little nervous to walk by myself." I said.
"Sure Kari, I'm going home anyway." She said happily.
"What do you play, Sarah?" I asked trying to make polite conversation.
"I play the flute. I chose the flute because it's so lovely when it's played right. Before that I wanted to be a singer in a country band." She laughed at the thought. "But I can't sing for nothing!"
I laughed with her and we walked in silence for a little while. I was glad to have company on the walk home, the way the wind was rustling the trees would have been soothing to hear if I had been in my apartment, but since I was outside, walking in the dark, it was a little creepy.
"Do you have a job, Sarah?" I asked.
"No, my parents pay for everything." She replied simply.
"Oh, lucky." I said.
"Yeah, I know and believe me I am grateful! I never forget mother or father's day, that's for sure!" she laughed heartily, but her eyes shifted away from me, hiding.
"So…you have a boyfriend, Kari?" I could tell, Sarah was a gossiper, or maybe she was genuinely interested. It seemed as though she was trying to steer the conversation away from herself, I thought to question her further, but I decided that she probably didn't trust me enough to talk about anything too important.
"No, I don't have a boyfriend. I have only ever had one boyfriend, but that was a while ago." I said sadly, remembering my last and only boyfriend, but I made sure my tone indicated that that subject shouldn't be broached.
"What happened?" she prodded, apparently oblivious to my intent to end the conversation about my past relationship. I sighed, I didn't want her to think that I didn't trust her enough to tell her, maybe I don't. I mean I hardly even know her, but she has been nice to me. I suppose I could indulge her.
"Well…" I started. Or not, it just hurt to much to think about it, let alone talk about it. "It just didn't work out. That's all." I wished she would change the subject.
"Oh. How long were you with him?" she continued. I hope making me uncomfortable was making her feel better, isn't it obvious that I don't want to talk about this?
"Two years. The last two years of high school." I replied.
"Oh, you two were high school sweethearts! How sweet. I had one of those, of course it didn't work out. I left him, we…wanted different things. I guess I would say I was too wild for him. I am single now, and I am happy. I am a free woman! Free to do whatever I please. It's fun being single, I don't have to worry about anything."
"I don't know if I like it too much, but it doesn't matter because I don't have time for a boyfriend anyway", I said conclusively as if the thinking about it more than that assn't necessary. Although, deep down I knew that I did have time, I just didn't haveany one. That was a sad thought that I continued to repress.
"Right. Better to concentrate on studies anyway. I should really crack down this year." It sounded to me that she didn't have a clue as to how I felt, but she was trying to sympathize with me anyway, which was nice in a way. She pulled me to a halt in front of our building.
"Look." She said quietly. "Doesn't Ms. Albania keep that courtyard so pretty?"
"Yes, she does." Once again appreciating how thoughtful Ms. Albania was.
"Well, we're here. See! This part of town is safe! No worries." She said as we walked up the steps. We made our way up the stairs to the second floor and said goodbye at our doors.
I went in my apartment and locked the door behind me, despite what Sarah said. It was still to early to go to bed, but it had been a long two days and I was ready for a long good night's sleep. I pulled off my clothes and tumbled in my bed, which was just a mat on the floor. As I lay there I thought everything that has happened to me in the last two days. My life was about to change from a small town girl with tons of dreams and wants and needs to a girl who would be fulfilling those dreams and really, I couldn't wait until that girl started taking over.