Chapter 9: Classmates, College life.
"Really?" Delia blinked as she found hard to believe what she just heard, the words said by her roommate,
"Yeah," Hilary smiled softly, her face lighted like moon,
"Are you sure you aren't studying this weekend- that is tomorrow? We have test, Hils! TEST!" Margot said incredulously.
"Don't scare me. I'm sure I will do well. I will stay up all night and revise it once again." Hilary said with defense,
"You are likely to sleep like the whole day then, tomorrow," Margot said with narrow doubtful eyes, more like teasing her,
"That won't happen! I will take red-bull!" Hilary pouted with angst,
"Your choice, solely your choice," Margot bowed sarcastically,
"Enough! Now let me study. Go to sleep, both of you," Hilary said tersely,
"Are you sure you can study with the black head in your head?" Margot chuckled wisely. Delia shirked in laughter.
"Don't bother me," Hilary said calmly, her face not flustering even a bit,
"Tell us everything after you come back from your date," Delia winked before she covered her head in blanket, avoiding Hilary's death glare,
"Sure, sweetie," Hilary said in vicious sarcasm.
She pulled the curtains and switched off the extra light and took out her notes and material, keeping the pens and highlighters ready for the rest of the night.
She was a little happy when Ryan casually asked her out. It was only for a movie, a new anime movie that was released. There was a little tantrum on this anime movie since the trailer has been released among the barbarians of the class. She was just hearing them and never even bothered. She was neither interested in their debates or that whatever movie. She was only going, because it was Ryan.
This was the first time among these years that he had asked her. Their bare and tender friendship had made quite of progress in a few years. She didn't mind whoever asked her out, but wisely rejected them. But this was different…
Her mind soothed as she realized how everything would feel paying after she studied and go out tomorrow. Pushing aside all the thoughts, she opened her book and starting reading them with all the concentration she could muster. She had a heavy dinner today. She was feeling heavy and uneasy. She stood up from her desk with the book and started reading it by walking and taking rounds in her room.
The rest of the hours went well till the early dawn and she had enough coffee that she was totally fresh through the night. Finishing enough that was required; she stopped walking and thumped on her bed, looking at the clock once more. Four forty-five. She sighed. Washing her face and checking her phone once, she resumed reading again.
Her incredulous reading session continued till nine-twenty in the morning when she was completely drained off. She kept an alarm and dozed off after eating a bare cheese sandwich and orange juice. There were a few cheese jars they had kept in fridge. Orange juice packs have been brought by Delia and she kept for emergency needs, whenever they had light snacks to eat. They didn't face much problem for eating. Delia always gave first preference for eating healthy diets and Hilary and Margot often got scolded for neglecting their meals occasionally.
Delia was tall and pretty charming by her face. She had large grey eyes and short black hair. However she had quite of repulsion towards others who were even a teensy bit uneasy with her presence. She was sensitive with security and comfortable presence.
Margot on the other hand resembled Hilary in her physique. She had light brown hair with dark brown eyes. She was a little weak when it came to physical rigorous running or any exercise.
Hilary won't be probably awake till one or two. Delia and Margot had full rights to shut up their mouths and emotions while she was asleep, or miss beauty sleep will haunt them dangerously if she gets angry.
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Though Kai knew that Tyson had full knowledge of what he has done with Mike few years back, the fact that he stayed calm and didn't reveal anything or talked about it had stirred curiosity in him. This was something weird. It seemed unlike him.
But why should Tyson stir up things that were a part of past? He didn't like embarrassing people, seriously.
Kai's routine was something different. He got up at six, took a shower, makes something light for eating for him, headed for practicing till eight-thirty, then packs his bag and attends the classes. Tyson woke at seven fifteen or something. He got ready till eight along with gulping down rushed-made breakfast. Sometimes, Ray prepared breakfast for everyone and they take it along as lunch with them or else they prepared separately. It depended upon the blader's mood.
Max and Tyson practiced for half an hour and then would walk to their common institute. Tyson rarely used bike if anyone was willing to escort him on a walk and if he wasn't late. Same old jokes, same routine, same faces, same disproval of his existence, same practices, no battles, same days and same nights, he felt like he was living the same day again and again and over and over.
Max sometimes along with him would go to ice-cream parlor at weekends and that would be something only different.
Kai returned home at four-thirty and they ate lunch together, which was prepared by Ray or sometimes both Ray and Tyson if Max bought the ingredients not present in kitchen. The later part of the day included studying and practicing if anyone was in mood and preparing dinner if that was required. There weren't much problem concerning lunch and dinner. Tyson however prepared meals for Ryu himself. He didn't give anyone responsibility of it. He himself wanted to serve his grandfather to whom he felt he was in debt.
They studied quietly, ate in silence, even the dinners would include those formal, 'pass that', 'I'm done,' … Kai and Ray however battled in practices and kept a little bond, not at arm's length, seriously.
…
"Seems you're tired and sleepy, didn't sleep well last night?" Max asked as they entered the ground of their University,
"Somewhat," Tyson yawned, "I had quite of notes to complete. I didn't get time to jot down all the points during classes," Tyson reasoned.
"Haha, you're taking studies way more serious than before," Max grinned,
"Have to, this is quite different. This course is tough. It's already like I've wasted two years because of my laziness. It will be five years in total next year which was supposed to be done in three years." Tyson said little scared.
"Y-Yeah," Max sighed in the same way.
"You will do well; keep up the hope and spirit!" Max cheered,
"Thanks bud!" Tyson laughed as he high-fived and walked into his class, Max heading for the next floor.
Tyson strode in the class, his muscles of shoulders little tensed up due to constant launches of the previous hour. He was greeted by a few girls; that was like it happened every day. He gave them a fake smile and took his seat, the middle row of the middle column.
His class was mediocre-ly large. Large glass panels on the left side and small window on the opposite wall to see through the corridor expanse. A white board was in front with a cabinet and small table of large height. The middle row was for him- because he wouldn't sleep because of the breezes coming through the panels or would get irritated by any nuisance through the corridor.
He relied upon a few class prodigies who were kind to talk with, unlike others who sped in their explanations and conversations. He walked to Grace, one of the kind cutie he teased to, and returned her notes with a slight bow and mumbled, "Thanks". She smiled a little and nodded, before returning to read her notes and preparing for the class. He felt quite sleepy in the first period and after lunch break and he hated those periods. Absolutely.
There were times, he would take a tissue paper, wet it by water in his water bottle, and wipe them straight over his closing eyes but no avail. He hated when it didn't work. He wanted to sleep and he could have slept if he took any last bench, no one would bother and question him unless he didn't snore. But that's what he'd done for a few years back sometimes and wasted two years alternatingly, and he didn't want to waste much time any further. This year and the next!
That's it. He thought. Part 1 exam was like a nightmare and he took way too long and there was still time till next year for Part 2 and he shook his head at the thought of ever taking more years for it.
This was CMA Finals, no kidding, and there was no kidding risking anymore and spoiling his future. No chance. He felt fine with Strategic Performance and Management. It wasn't quite a headache, but the most intriguing task was dealing Cost and Management Audit and he definitely needed Jack and Grace for getting his mind some info and understanding settled in his head. The duo helped the Champ. They were the simplest people with no problems in their life- Tyson thought. Both of them dated last year but never let anything else to be affected. They were fine being friends and helped others unless they weren't any trouble-some makers. Reading and getting the info spoken out by the Professors stick forever in their brains was like eating a chocolate cake. He didn't envy them, not really but the curiosity got over him sometimes.
Still, he was wrong judging other's lives and perceiving their lives not containing any discomfort. Everyone doesn't need to show that, like he himself behaved like quite fine and okay and everyone assumed he was the luckiest guy being the constant World Champion with everlasting fame and good friends. He also was doing fine and perpetuated in this CMA world, which wasn't everyone's cup of tea. Many gave up after a failure to pass; he didn't. And he simply didn't or felt grieved over his failures. He might have had that feeling of losing and that shit feeling of 'unworthy' if he'd lost his title or failed in bey-match, but this wasn't the case. His negligence in studies though might have wasted two years, but still, not ALL capable and quick students have cleared it in three years. His negligence was like, sorta blessing in disguise or he would have been grieving over this like he was doing it for every trivial yet meant thingies in life.
A few times he has been asked if he was still not dating anyone. He didn't want to tell his sad tale to them, so he simply shrugged, like CMA and blading was all he cared about and didn't give darn about any girl around unless that was his bossy team manager. She was never talked about, so naturally they never knew about that. He had tried to forget her best he can though it was hardly possible.
He had mentally made a note to give a treat to the duo if he passed in Part 2 next year, or perhaps a small outing with them to a nearby restaurant and treating them an ice-cream wasn't a bad idea if he didn't want their readymade, on spot explanations and help come to a halt because of his constant need.
The class started with revision of "Direct Taxation" and Tyson paid full heed to whatever that was rambled off by the old man.
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"Ashlene Reynolds!" someone yelled furiously over the brunette who was busily copying some important information on her magazine, "What the hell is wrong with you!"
Ashlene lifted her gaze at the girl who was shouting at her, her face half red and fury-fied, "What?" Ashlene said coolly and curtly,
"Can't you keep your bag on your bench?" the female intruder shouted.
"Why?" Ashlene looked at her bag that was a little disheveled, "What the hell did you do with my bag!" Ashlene yelled,
"I'd slipped through your bag, and look at my face if you can, this sore is bloody hurtful!" the girl was angry.
"Firstly, I'm not sorry that you're blind enough to slip through my bag. Secondly, you can practically see the entire row lined up with all bags!" Ashlene said quite bored and out of league,
The girl looked at Ashlene quite like she was reading her. After a profound stare, she blinked and left her place, not saying anything. Ashlene shrugged, quite happy that she left. She behaved a little cold and resumed her work.
That was Lana Dales, class's second representative. The class continued and their next lecture was about to begin within a minute. Ashlene took out her reader and prepared to listen down.
She glanced at Fred, who looked a little tensed up; not entirely concentrating what was said. She ignored and listened what was lectured right now.
The next period was basically the corpse-time; they lined up and headed to the lab.
After a grueling hour of standing, the class sat down on their benches with an audible thud. Ashlene smiled as she received a call from Raul, she picked it,
"Hey,"
"Who's this?"
"I'm Ash! What are you saying?"
"Oh, I guessed I called you by mistake. I was actually calling Zane." He quickly cut the phone.
"What?" Ashlene said to herself, quite confused and slightly hurt.
…
Why did he want to talk to Zane…
Ashlene pondered a little, feeling a little uneasy. Zane and Raul worked in circus together few months back but then Raul left the work and Zane also left circus. And she didn't hear from Zane in quite a while that she re-joined the circus.
What do he want to talk with Zane…Are they-
"Ash, can you lend me your scale for a second?" a voice called. It was someone from back. She nodded and passed the scale.
She was feeling the ocean of anxiety approaching her. She shook her head and a name popped in her head involuntarily. His face coming suddenly, those lop-sided grin and wink.
She kept a hand on her mouth and breathed in deep.
The next period started quickly and with each thing she was hearing, she could just hear those words once again,
Oh, I guessed I called you by mistake. I was actually calling Zane.
She continued scribbling some paper in frustration. The professor almost raised an eyebrow to her and she nodded.
The next fifteen minutes were basically were meant for packing up and leaving. Fred was looking worried and tensed up. She didn't understand what was with him.
He ran after Lana and caught her pace. She shadowed them from a safe distance,
"Are you okay, Lana?"
"I'm okay. Stop worrying, Fred."
Fred sighed, "Hey, is it Ash that you're sad about?"
"Not exactly. She was basically right. I should have kept my eyes open or be active while walking."
"Forget her, hell. How's everything at your home?" He asked tersely,
Ashlene frowned angrily at Fred's statement.
"It's not fine. They still abuse me and make me work so much…I'm so tired, Fred." She said almost with a painful sigh, her heart doing unhealthy exercise,
"Your step's is way too cruel. I'm sorry. You can stay at my place if that's okay," Fred said carefully,
"Thanks. I will just not say a-anything right now, please,"
"You're welcome anytime." Fred smiled. "My mom's cool. She wouldn't mind you staying with us for some time,"
"Sure, I'm anyway leaving this town after internship. Fuck this life, seriously," Lana said with harsh inhale,
"Don't worry, Lana. Everything will be fine. I've a sister who's currently doing CMA; you can accompany her as well. It will be a pleasure to have you in my house," Fred smiled genuinely, his face like a shining moon,
Lana blushed little, but gave a slight hug to Fred. "I'll meet you at seven. Stay at home." She waved him a goodbye,
"Sure. Lana, you don't need to mind Ash or anyone else in this class or heck anywhere. You're way too kind; they can't see your sufferings behind your anger." Fred said optimistically.
"Thanks!" she walked to the opposite side on the road while Fred took the opposite route.
Ashlene caught with him and smiled. Fred smiled back nervously.
They walked silently. Ashlene didn't know honestly what she was supposed to say,
Fred didn't say anything, quite reserved and straight.
"Are you free at evening?" Ashlene asked.
"Huh?" he looked at her, "Nope, why?"
"I needed your help-," she lied,
"What?" he asked curtly,
"A-About, about Ophthalmology's class today," She said.
"Text me after going home, I will reply if I can explain you," he smiled.
"Ok," she nodded, "Fred…" she mumbled,
"What is it, Ash?" he asked with a frown,
"A-Are you upset with me?" she asked,
He looked at her with confusion and slight disinclination; "Nope!" he said cheerfully suddenly and ran quickly so as she doesn't catch him "Maybe someone else might be," he sung and disappeared,
Ashlene sighed, knowing exactly what he was saying. She didn't have Lana's contact number either to apologize her right now. She has to wait for the rest of the day and night.
She hated when urgent things she wanted to do got delayed. She walked back to home, ignoring the light drizzle.
"Welcome back," Julia greeted,
"Julia?" Ashlene blinked,
"Yeah, I returned early today. I made chicken sandwich at home!" Julia chirped,
"You know you don't need to do that." Ashlene said still registering that Julia was at home,
"Ah, c'mon,"
The girls ate the lunch like they were famished,
"Uhm, so delicious," Ashlene smiled licking her lips,
"Haha," Julia smiled, "Thanks,"
"Oh, where is Raul. He left?" Ashlene looked around,
"Yeah, an hour back or two,"
"Oh," Ashlene nodded and she noticed that Ellie was sleeping.
"He went to circus. Right?" she asked cautiously,
"Of course," Julia answered,
"Hmm,"
They finished the lunch and got back to rest.
Ashlene still wondered what was happening. Why the hell Raul wanted to call Zane and why did she carelessly snapped at an innocent girl…
She texted Fred to forward Lana's number lying that she had her book. After a few minutes she received her contact and called her, her heart beating uneasily.
What will I say?- she thought.
"Hello, who's this?"
"Hi," Ashlene mumbled, "Its' me, Ashlene."
"Huh? Oh, Ashlene. Yes?" she said softly,
"I-I.." Ashlene stuttered,
"Do we have some unfinished business?" Lana asked abruptly, jaded with her reluctance to say anything,
"I am sorry for snapping at you, Lana. I'm sorry," Ashlene said quickly,
"Whooaa," Lana almost got surprised, "You called me for that? Seriously Ashlene?" she asked,
"Yeah, I realized I was wrong. I'm sorry for your sore. I will try to keep my bag a little safer from you," Ashlene said nervously, but it came out bold,
"Fine, I forgive you. Anything else?" she asked,
"Uhm no. Are you sure you're okay?" Ashlene asked again,
"Yeah, I'm fine. I've some work. Bye," Lana said urgently,
"Oh, sure, bye, tha-"Ashlene was cut off by the line.
Ashlene sighed. Lana surely seemed reluctant to forgive her but she was just kinda jaded with Ashlene to talk anymore. The forgiveness was not given heartily, seemed forced up. She will just pretend that she's okay. Ashlene made a mental note to never talk to anyone rudely. She nodded to herself. Kissing softly to her daughter, she switched off the lights and dossed off.
A/N: Thanks so much to Julia Fernandez Hiwatari, Jaya Avendel and Naina for the review. :D I hope this chapter was fine. Do tell me everything in reviews! :D