Overwhelmed, thought Billy. That's probably the best word for how I feel right now: totally overwhelmed.
It was only three days since he had arrived in Boston. His mother had insisted upon staying for the first night: "To help you settle in," she claimed. After a two-hour shopping trip the next day — for essentials, again at her insistence — he finally persuaded her to drive back to New York so he could actually try to get settled. Of course, the waiting only made him more apprehensive, and his last day of luxurious freedom passed by in a dizzying blur as he greeted some of the other excited students who would be living on his floor. Today, at last, the freshman orientation schedule began in earnest, and the caterpillars in his stomach took this opportunity to finish pupating. He was now midway through the first item on the packed itinerary: a grand tour of his new campus.
"…And this is the famous 'Infinite Corridor,'" announced their tour guide. "At just under a sixth of a mile long, the name is something of an exaggeration — I can already tell which of you are going to major in Maths by your pained expressions." The lanky senior grinned, and was rewarded with nervous laughter. "We're heading for the Great Dome now, so I hope you all packed your walking boots."
Billy tried to laugh appreciatively, but some of the butterflies were exploring his oesophagus and only a strangled croak escaped. For God's sake, at least breathe normally! he chastened himself as blood warmed his pale cheeks. Maybe no one noticed… he hoped, but to no avail: a girl, her hair black like Billy's, turned in his direction and smiled sympathetically. Abashed, he exchanged a lopsided grimace, quickly breaking eye contact and returning his attention to their guide, who was now marching them briskly down the corridor as he recounted an anecdote about some scatterbrained mathematician.
His mind wandered. The best thing about college so far, he reflected, was the students. Back in high school, assault was called "bullying" or "horseplay," responsibility was a big word that adults used to browbeat you into doing unpleasant things, and studying was the hallmark of an absent life. Here, however, enthusiasm practically fizzed in the air; everyone was eager to make new friends, and just about any situation would spontaneously develop into a conversation about what major you were choosing, where you came from and which dorm you'd be staying in. No one was weighing him up with a view to making him relinquish his lunch money; heck, he wouldn't be surprised if half the people here had been stuffed into a locker at least once in their lives. Looking around, the few people who weren't glancing around exchanging nervous smiles were affecting an air of detached coolness, and for the most part failing badly.
Caught up in this pleasant reverie, Billy failed to notice that the group had stopped and collided inelegantly into the padded back of a tall boy in front of him. Perturbed, the stranger turned to look at Billy, who instinctively took a step back and lowered his head — the way he did in high school, when he wanted to disappear. Quickly checking himself, he looked up again and apologised in the most affable tone he could muster.
To Billy's surprise the boy smiled down at him. "No problem," he said in low voice, "no harm done. Are you OK?" he asked suddenly, his eyes widening slightly in apparent concern.
"Um, yeah, I guess," said Billy, caught off-guard. The boy looked so much like one of the jocks who had hitherto been the bane of his existence that it was somewhat disconcerting to be addressed like a normal human being. Emboldened, he continued. "I mean, it was me who try to mow you down first!" He grinned despite his internal fluttering, and was met with a wider smile.
"Looks like I'm not the only one in a world of my own," came a voice from his side. It was the black-haired girl, and this time her expression was mildly sardonic. She hesitated for a second, then extended a hand towards him. "I'm Kate, by the way. What's your name?"
"Billy," he said automatically, grasping her outstretched hand briefly (she had a strong grip, he noticed). He glanced back up at the new boy, who was now regarding him with interest.
"Billy…?" He trailed off, blue eyes staring directly into Billy's dark brown.
"Billy… Kaplan," he finished. Something about the way the boy was looking at him made him feel uncomfortable; it had the sort of intensity that a cat might reserve for a mouse as it prepared to pounce. He nearly took another step back, but he caught himself.
"Cool," said the girl. " And how about you?" She turned to face the taller boy.
His concentration lingered on Billy for another moment before he looked round to smile at Kate. "My name is Teddy," he said. "It's nice to meet you both, Kate, Billy," he said, emphasizing the last name very slightly. Abruptly, he turned back to face their guide, who was beckoning for them to follow him outside.
Billy shot a glance at Kate who raised her eyebrows slightly, prompting another bemused smile from him. Both started walking with the rest of the crowd, blinking slightly as their eyes adjusted to the midday sun and took in the vast, verdant green of Killian Court. Contemplating this, Billy forgot all about Teddy and his strange behaviour and instead concerned himself with how nice it would be to spend the rest of the afternoon lay out on that soft grass with a book and a cold drink. "At this point in the orientation," explained their guide, "it's traditional to stop for a group photograph. So if you would all like to arrange yourselves on the steps facing the grass, we have a camera ready to capture this moment for posterity. Remember to smile for your parents!" With that, the young man deftly led the way down the cool, grey steps.
Kate looked over at Billy. "Want to sit next to me for the photo?"
"Sure, I'd love to." Billy beamed, and together they picked their way through the thronging crowd to find a good spot.
o—O—o
Teddy observed impassively, calmly taking in the scene as students milled around in front of him. Stoically, he watched Billy and Kate walk past him, making sure Billy did not stray out of sight as they descended the steps. Finally, the two chose a place to sit; Teddy quickly seated himself behind them, eyes fixed on Billy's jet-black hair. Now that he had found William, it was time to proceed with his primary objective.
Sorry it took me so long to get round to this chapter; I've been very busy recently, although I should have time to write the third chapter some time next week. I'd really appreciate any suggestions about my prose, which I can't help feeling is a little clumsy or overwrought in places. Also, since it's a crossover, I'm aware that it treads a fine line between fidelity and invention — it would be nice to know how readers think I'm handling it! At any rate: whether or not you leave a review, I hope you enjoyed reading it and are looking forward to the next instalment.