Chapter 4
The next morning, I left before Yuffie had even woken up for my first class. I had a lady by the name of Shera in studio 14 in the Musical Arts Building on the 2nd floor for Piano tutoring. Shera was a lovely little lady who reminded me of my late grandmother Delora, who looked to be in her late 50's. She started off handing me the tutoring guide which stated what was to be expected of me this semester. Every Monday at 9am I'd have an hour in studio 14 with her, along with an average of 2 hours' worth of homework to study and practise for the following week. Compulsory end of term recitals were included in my final grade mark. Each term I'd have to recite my choice of sonata from a compiled list of Beethoven, Erik Satie, Johannes Brahms and Bach. Along with this I'd have weekly essays to write in relation to the week's chapter from my Piano text book I had read last night. I could already tell, this was going to be fairly simple for me, but I'd nevertheless enjoy it.
My next and final class for the day at 11am was General Studies, which was apparently taught by professor Tseng in the north theatre on the 1st floor of the Musical Arts Building. As I entered the theatre that was already filling with students, my eyes landed on a head full of messy spikes. I swallowed. Shit. Avoiding his eyes as his own gaze fell on me I took one of the only available seats directly in front of him. It's just for an hour, I can do this, I told myself.
The entire time Professor Tseng carried out his incredibly boring introductory lesson, I could feel his eyes on the back of my head. Just my luck.
Again I was handed a topic guide including all the important details and regulations regarding General Studies for this semester. Every Monday we would have to attend this lecture for the hour, then on Wednesdays, we'd have to attend compulsory tutorials at 10am till 11am in room 44 on the 3rd floor. In the first 4 weeks we'd cover English basics and writing skills, then following in week 5 and 6 before mid-semester break, we'd cover the first half of essential mathematics, before resuming the segment in week 7 and 8 in term 2. The remainder 4 weeks was assigned to history of the arts, before our topic exam during the mid-year break. Along with this, we had 4 assessment pieces with in the topic, consisting of a basic essay to demonstrate understanding of basic English and writing skills, a mathematic group project, another essay on our choice of conflicting artists from the 1800-2000 period as well as the exam.
Avalon Academy was known for its heavy work load in all of its courses, that's what made it so distinguished. It wasn't easy getting in, and the work load only improved the students. Before enrolling I had read an article on the internet stating that more than 80% of Avalon Academy's graduates succeed in their chosen field and almost 75% of post-graduates receive job offers after their studies. I had been prepared for this type of work load well before entering the huge gates yesterday.
As soon as professor Tseng ended the lecture, I hastily begun to pack away my notebook and pens, before I felt a light tap on my left shoulder. Oh god, what do you want now? Was I blocking your view or something the entire time Spikey? I grimaced slightly before composing myself and turning to meet his intense stare.
"I'm sorry for bumping you yesterday," he said coolly.
I stared at him dumbfounded before I found my words, "ah no problem, it was full elevator anyway."
He showed a crooked smile, that would be able to swoon any girl before leaving his seat and strolling out the exit. Maybe he wasn't such a jackass, I thought.
The rest of the day was completely free, so I opted to find Aerith and ask for a tour. I headed East toward the library to find her scanning music theory textbooks for a tall guy with similar hair to 'Spikey' but black. He even had the eyes to match. Aerith smiled politely as she stacked his books before spotting me, "Tifa!"
I continued to walk toward the desk, "hey, sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Nah, you're good, I was on my way out," the guy reassured me. "Nice meeting you Aerith, thanks for the help."
"Sometimes I absolutely love my job," she giggled, staring at the back of the black haired guy. "Anyway! Have you taken me up on my offer then?"
"Absolutely, I have the rest of the day free, so whenever is convenient for you, is convenient for me." I replied with a smile. I liked this girl and her curly hair and overly-girly clothing.
"Sure, I'll just let Marian know I'm taking a break," she said retreating from the front counter, "give me a minute."
Aerith returned shortly after, insisting to take me to the Grand Avalon Theatre where music concerts, recitals as well as dance and drama performances usually carried out. Upon arriving at the large stone building which resembled the others on the campus, we entered through the overwhelming large front doors.
"I believe this is where most of your major assessment piece will carry out," Aerith chirped as she led me onto the dark and empty stage. "Believed to hold about 500 people."
"Woah," I breathed, speechless from the site. There were both ground seats with red upholstery as well as a mezzanine above.
Aerith then slid onto the very edge of the massive stage, swinging her dainty legs as she gazed into the seats, "so how long have you played piano for?"
"Since I was 4, my mum taught me," I responded, joining her on the edge. "She was a piano enthusiast when she was my age."
"Oh, did she go here too?" Aerith asked curious.
"Ah, no actually," I sighed, feeling sadness for my mother. "She gave it up before I was born."
"Ah, I see, family commitments," Aerith said nodding. "Well I'm sure she'll be proud of you. After all, this is where your parents will be seeing you play in 6 weeks, am I correct?"
I nodded with a small smile, knowing it was only going to by my mum who'd be seated in this theatre. Dad wouldn't be caught dead here, "so you said you're studying visual art, do you paint or sketch?"
"Both actually," Aerith replied enthusiastically. "And sculpt."
"Wow, you must be so talented," I said impressed.
"I wouldn't actually regard it as talent," she let her eyes fall to the back of the auditorium. "Wouldn't you agree?"
I furrowed my brows, "I'm not sure I follow…"
"Well you said yourself that you've practised playing the piano since you were 4, right?" she explained.
I nodded, still not completely understanding what she meant.
"Well I too have been painting, sketching and sculpting ever since I could pick up a pencil, brush or a fist full of clay," her eyes remained stuck on a point in the distance. "It's not always a talent we're born with, sometimes it something that we've put every ounce of energy, emotion, sweat, blood and patience into bettering ourselves."
I nodded now comprehending what she was saying. She was completely right, talent was just something we were born, and even if that was sometimes the case, it was always what we made it to be that counted.
"I know exactly what you mean," I finally said catching her gaze.
"Really? A lot of people say that, but don't mean it," she said astounded.
"No, no I agree with you. It's something that takes years to perfect," I added. "Thus why we are here."
She laughed allowing a small moment of silence to slip between us, letting what she said sink in a bit further.
"Actually, do you want to see something else?" she asked with eyebrows raised.
I nodded eagerly and followed her as we stood and strode out of the grand theatre and headed west toward another cathedral-like building.
"This is the Avalon Grand Gallery," she stated. "Last year they accepted one of my pieces in the second semester."
"Aerith that's amazing," I said bewildered. I had previously read a short summary of the gallery and what works it displayed back at home. However, it stated that only second year students and above are able to apply to have their works displayed. "But you would have only been a first year."
"Yeah," she said with a smile leading me into the first display room. "I was just as surprised. Apparently my work had been seen by the head of the academy and he requested that it be put in the grand display room prior to the Visual Art Graduation ceremony. I'm the only first year to have my work displayed here."
I followed her in awe, rounding the corner into what was titled as "The Grand Room". There on the opposite wall hung a 5 meter by 3meter large canvas. On it were smears of colour that shaped a woman's face. It was rather abstract, however the detail in the face, made it almost life like.
"This was that piece," Aerith stood gazing at her work.
"It's beautiful," I said in amazement.
"Thank you," she said genuinely.
As we were about to move onto the next room, I spotted a small signature in the bottom right hand corner in black paint. It read "It's not talent." I smiled, this girl may have seemed very meek and mild or like your average girly girl, but I had a feeling she was stronger than first perceived.
Aerith continued showing me around until her break was up an hour later, she'd shown me all the cafes hidden on campus saying that Café Andante in my faculty was by far the best for a vanilla chai latte. We'd promised we'd go there during the week and catch up again.
Upon returning to my dorm, I'd noticed that Yuffie was already there, yet again playing her music too loudly. As I set my books on my desk, my pocket buzzed. Taking out my smart phone I noticed it was mum calling.