Chapter 23: First Day

Everything in the Blackbones house returned to normal when a few weeks past. It took Tia forever to get Rocket to stop apologising about not telling her in the first place but Tia understood that he was right to let Mary break the news since it was hers to break - though she didn't mind it when Rocket took her out to dinner and then gave her one of the best nights of her life afterwards. The only new things that had occurred in their family was when little Rosie started calling Tia 'Auntie' which was really sweet and D'jok and Mei had finally set a date for their wedding, with Mei making Tia the maid of honour. However, a new challenged faced Tia's life and that was collage. She had spent most of her time getting equipment that she would need. Finally the big day had arrived and Tia was trying to make herself calm, taking easy breathes. Rocket was not able to make it since he had to go to an important meeting this morning along with D'jok, Micro-Ice and Thran –who she had not had a chance to meet properly yet. So it was just Sonny with her today, driving her to her first day at college. Whoa! Tia thought, impressed by the amazing, glass roof building that glittered in the sunlight and the wide open grounds that had different vegetation, water fountains and picnic areas placed all around the canvas. The whole site was filled with all types of different people: scholars, jocks and cheerleaders, if you named it they were all there. How am I going to survive this? Tia wondered, she didn't really fit in her school when she was younger and this place looked the same; accepted they were all a little older. A huge lump started to form in her throat as old feelings began to resurface over her new confident self. The cracks must have been showing on her face because Sonny also noticed.

"Nervous about your first day of school." Sonny tried to joke with his recently discovered niece. Tearing her gaze away from the window, Tia could feel her cheeks turn red from embarrassment, thinking that she really needed to do better at hiding her emotions; especially if Sonny and Rocket were around. Instead of making up some excuse she just nodded her head and bit her numb tongue, so she wouldn't say anything stupid. It didn't take them long to reach the front of the school where everyone else was getting out of their cars and other vehicles. Opening the door, the cool autumn air whacked Tia full in the face. She could feel the nervousness and excitement that buzzed through the air for all the students starting a new semester at their college and new arrivals feeling of wonder of their new surroundings. "Got everything?" Sonny question popped out of nowhere, making Tia nearly jump out of her skin because she had only released that he was standing next to her – Sonny really needed to learn not to sneak up on people.

"Yeah and before you ask yes I do have the panic button attached to my watch." I pointed out before Sonny could ask. Smiling, Sonny patted Tia on the shoulder and popped back into the car. Lowering the window of the car, her uncle grinned.

"Have a nice day at school." He winked before driving off. She continued to wave goodbye to him until he disappeared around the corner. Turning around, she took a deep breath and made her way towards the main reception where all new comers were meant to go on their first day to go to assembly, were they would be introduce to everyone that was in charge. Working towards the building she saw many amusing sites (and even some scary) that made her fill a little more comfortable as she made her way towards the building. When she finally reached the reception area she saw a head of her over two hundred students waiting in the large waiting area. Some students were in groups, talking contentedly with other students while some shingle students hanged around in the dark corners; giving Tia a little comfort now that she saw she wasn't the only one that didn't know anyone at this college.

Man I have such a headache! Rocket cursed as he and the lads left the meeting. The man they had arrested for trying to kidnap Tia and threaten his mother at gun point was found shot dead this morning; they also received a video of the guys' wife being shot dead by terrorist. It was days like this Rocket really hated. Right now he just wanted to have Tia to be here with him and hold her in his arms for some comfort. However, Tia was starting her first day of college to day so he would just have to wait when he saw her tonight. Reaching his office he wished his mates luck on the paper work (they sometimes thought the paper work was more deadly than the actual missions) taking his seat he sat down and sighed at the amount of paperwork that had filled up on his desk. I really hate my jobs sometimes, he thought miserably, until his eyes rested on the newest addition of his photo collection of him and Tia sitting on the beach cuddling each other. Then he thought, maybe my job isn't so bad after all, he smiled, since he would have never met Tia if he hadn't agreed to that surveillance mission.

The assembly finally finished and Tia could feel herself trying to stiffen a yawned like everyone else in the hall. Taking the sheets of paper that had her timetable written on it (she and all the other students had been given when they were in the reception) she began searching for her first class and once she read the sheets and located the room number on the map, she made her way towards the science and technology block. After finding the room she was looking for, she quickly tapped on the door and walked in. The room was a medium size room and was decorated with rows of chairs and right at the far end of the class room was a big stage and board where the professor would teach the class. Am I really that early? Tia wondered, checking her watch and her schedule again. After double checking everything, Tia released she was fifteen minutes early to class. Well at least I won't be making bad first impressions, Tia mused to herself, walking around the class room to get a better look at the place. Just then one of the other doors near the stage opened and a small man carrying a pile of papers that were double his size. Before another thought could pass through Tia's head the old man tripped and everything went flying. Oh my! Tia thought, as she raced over to the stage to help him. The man was already on his hands and knees picking up the stray pieces of paper. Getting on her knees (once she reached the stage) she began picking up the papers and loose file, catching every now and again a complicated network of computer codes.

"Here you go." Tia smiled, passing her pile of papers to the professor, who then proceeded to put them on the table.

"Thank you young lady, I'm Professor Clamp." The short man with the messy head and wide glasses greeted, holding out his hand. Smiling, Tia took it and shook it firmly.

"Tia, I'm one of our new students." She responded, reading the facial expression on her teachers' face she knew she had made a good first impression.

"Welcome Tia, feel free to take whatever seat you like." The Professor grinned to her and gestured to the room of empty seats. Giving her thanks, Tia sat in the middle seats on the aisle where she could see the stage the best. It took another five minutes for all the other students to appear and take their seats. The class was quite large –with over thirty students. At the beginning of the lesson everyone was chatting to each other, while Tia just got out all her stuff and sat there quietly. When the lesson started everyone went still and listen intently to Professor Clamp, who had begun teaching the class.

Rocket opened and closed his hand again, as he tried to get rid of the stiffness out of his hand from writing so much. For five hour he had been writing out forms with the occasional break to get something to eat or chat to someone in the office so he could regain some of his sanity. Looking across the table he saw that he only had a few more to do. Focusing his attention on getting the last bits, Rocket quickly zoomed through his paper work. Just as he was finishing off the last piece of paper he heard a knock from the door. Please don't be the assistant with more paper work, Rocket prayed but when he looked up he was glad to see it was Sonny.

"Checking on all of us Sonny." Rocket smiled weakly, as he leant back in his chair to get a proper look at the old man.

"You kids know me to well." Sonny joked, checking his watch quickly before looking back up at Rocket.

"I also came to ask for a favour; Emperor Maddox has dragged me into a stupid meeting, can you pick up Tia from college for me?" He asked. Rocket was happy to oblige this request and after looking at his own watch, quickly jumped to his feet and grabbed his coat.

"I'll have her home around dinner time." He smiled while he left the laughing man at his office door. He quickly made his way to the car park and jumped into his car before racing out of the car park.

Overall, Tia thought her first day of college was really good, the only downside was the horrible food they served here but she had understood long ago that all schools were like that with their food. Everyone she had met had been really nice and she enjoyed her classes a great deal. Especially Film Studies, it felt good to hold a camera in her hands again, since her old camera had been the only thing her parents had brought her and she actually liked. Now it was the end of the day and everyone was making their way back home. She could not spot Sonny's black SUV, so she sat by the side of the water fountain and waited. Tia didn't mind waiting since she was enjoying the sunshine and the calming sounds of the water in the fountain.

"Who's that cute guy by the red land rover?" She heard one of the cheerleaders shout out next to her. Turning her head in their direction she saw the cute guy they had pointed out was none other than her boyfriend. He seemed to catch all the girls' eyes. Hearing that were about to try and chat him up she decided it was time for them to realises he was already taking. Sneaking past the girls and behind Rocket, she saw he was just about to call her when she jumped on to his back.

"Hello handsome." She smiled, as she placed a few kisses on the back of his neck. Taking one of her hands in his he kissed it gently, sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't believe that after all this time he still sent her nerves into over drive every time he kissed her. Getting off his back he turned around and brought her closer to him.

"You shouldn't jump up on my back like that, I almost flipped you." He smiled but there was still serious in his voice. His expression was totally sweet and she kissed him gently on the lips to show her apology.