Chapter 19 college
Ben sat in front of his computer typing away on the internet. It wasn't long after he graduated from high school that Ben decided to become a doctor. Due the fact that his grades were so high on the last few years he felt confident enough to apply for Stanford University. He sat in his chair typing his background and scanning his last report cards and uploading them to the email he was about to send. When he was done he went over the letter and double checked he uploaded everything he needed. Once he was sure everything was ready he sent the letter and sat back on his chair and stretched. He yawned loudly as he leaned against the back rest. He then reached for his phone and dialed his cousin's number
"Hello?"
"Hey cuz what's up?" said the boy
"Oh hey Ben. What's up?"
"Oh not much. Just hanging around, sitting in my room… applying for studies in Stanford…" he said matter of factly
Gwen laughed at the way he said it
"That's great Ben! I'm so proud of you… Stanford is one of the best in the world"
"Yeah I know. So is Harvard"
"And the Hebrew University" added his cousin
"The what?" asked Ben cocking an eyebrow
"The Hebrew University. It's also one of the best in the world. It's in Jerusalem. Maybe we could visit it next we go to Israel"
"Yeah, maybe on our honeymoon…"
"Don't you think we're a little young for that?" asked Gwen
"Hey I'm just saying" said Ben as he shrugged. After a moment's silence Ben spoke
"So what have you been up to?"
"Oh you know the same as you…"
"You applied for Stanford?" said Ben in surprise as he straightened up in his chair
"Mhm… as a nurse"
"That's great Gwen! I'm so happy for you. Who knows maybe we'll be accepted and we could study on the same campus"
"I'd like that" said Gwen and smiled
"Yeah me too"
"Hey what do you say we go to Mr. Smoothie's to celebrate? It's my treat" he added and Gwen smiled and chuckled on the other end of the line
"You're always looking for excuses to go to Mr. Smoothie's…" she teased
"What can I say? I'm crazy about them…"
Both kids laughed
"Okay, sure why not. Pick me up in an hour"
"Okay you got it" said Ben between chuckles
An hour later…
Ben pulled up by Gwen's house to see her standing by the door. He smiled at her as she smiled back as she made her way to the side of the car. She opened the side passenger door and slipped in
"Hey Ben" she said as she sat down
"Hey Honey" he said and kissed her briefly
"Ready to go?"
"Ready when you are 'dear'" she teased and with that they were off
"So when are they supposed to get back to you?" asked Gwen
"In two weeks. You?"
"Same here" said Gwen
"I can't believe we might be going to Stanford" she added
"And I can't believe I didn't drink a smoothie since yesterday but here we are…"
Gwen laughed at his joke
"Why do you like smoothies so much?"
"It's a long term relationship"
Gwen laughed again
"Okay but seriously now. What's with you and smoothies?" she asked as Ben parked the car
"I don't know. I just like them. They're very tasty"
"And very fattening…"
"That's where my fast metabolism comes in"
"Your metabolism isn't gonna stay fast forever you know…"
"Yeah but I might as well enjoy it while I can"
"That's true…" said Gwen as they reached the counter
"Hi I'd like two fruit smoothies please…" said as Ben as he lifted two fingers. When he received his order he put a two dollar bill on the counter and received his change.
The two cousins sat outside the parlor under an umbrella and drank their smoothies. After a long sip Ben sighed
"I love this stuff"
"So I noticed…"
"So did you find a job yet?" asked Gwen
"Not yet I'm still looking. What about you?"
"I found a job as a Liberian at the local library"
"That's nice. Good for you"
"To be honest, it's kind of boring. Most of the time I just sit there with a book or with my phone…"
"Hey at least you're making money for it"
"Yeah but I just wish I could be doing something more sophisticated" said Gwen
"You will when you become a nurse"
"Yeah… that reminds me. Do you know yet what kind of doctor you would like to become?..."
"Probably a family doc…"
The two cousins spent the next twenty minutes talking at the parlor. When it was time to go home, they got into Ben's car and drove off. When they arrived at Gwen's house the car stopped
"See you around Gwen"
"See ya. Let me know when you get an answer"
"I will. You do the same" Ben said as they kissed once more and Gwen walked out of his car…
Two weeks later…
"I'm home!" yelled Ben as he walked through the door. Last week he found a job as a store clerk and he just finished his shift
"Hey Ben" his mother said as he walked into the kitchen
"Hi Mom…" he said and sat down
"You have some mail here" his mother said and handed him a medium sized envelope. When he flipped it over his eyes brightened
"It's from Stanford!" he yelled with joy as he sliced it open and took the letter out
"Dear Mr. Tennyson,
We are glad to inform you that you have accepted to the study of medicine in the University of Stanford Bellwood Illinois. The first semester begins on October 26th next year and the fee is 70,000$ a year. We request that you purchase the following books for your studies next fall:
Facts of the human body
Biology today
Genetics level one
Genetics level two
The blood stream
Bone facts
Our campus is on 53rd St Bellwood Illinois USA. On behalf of Stanford universities I welcome you to our system of education.
Vice principle Helen Smith"
Ben couldn't believe his eyes. He stared at the letter in shock
"I'm in" he said in a hollow voice to his mother
"I'm in" he repeated
"I'm in!" he yelled overcome with joy as he got from his seat
"I did it! I got into Stanford! I got into Stanford!" he yelled as he hugged his mother
"I'm so proud of you Ben" she said
"Thanks Mom…" he said. After he released her he took out his phone and dialed his cousin's number
"Hello?"
"Gwen I'm in" said Ben who was almost unable to contain his excitement
"What?" she asked confusedly
"I did it! I got accepted into Stanford!" he said with joy as Gwen's eyes and voice lit up with joy on the other end of the line
"That's great Ben I'm so happy for you. Where is your campus?"
"Here in Bellwood"
"Well it looks like you already have a schoolmate. Because I'm going too"
"You got accepted?" asked Ben in disbelief
"I sure did"
"That's wonderful Gwen! Now we're both in Stanford…"
"I can't wait to start studying" said Gwen
"Yeah me too. Believe it or not"
"I believe it…" said Gwen as they both laughed
"You know I think we should celebrate again" said Gwen
"Mr. Smoothie's?" guessed Ben
"You got it"
"I'm in" said the brunette man and agreed to meet her at the parlor in twenty minutes…
During the next year Ben and Gwen waited in agonizing anticipation for their studies to start. During that year they got together often and hung out doing a bunch of activities such eating out, going to see movies and played bowling together. It wasn't long until summer came again and before long; fall. The date was October 26 and it was eight in the morning. Reception was at ten. The two cousins sat in front of the mirror each in their own rooms and were getting ready for the big day. Ben was wearing his blue jeans and a black tea shirt with a green jacket on it. He combed his hair as he waited for the time to come.
In her own room Gwen was putting own a black skirt and a pink sweater over a white shirt. She combed her hair and put on some perfume for the occasion. When she was all set to go she went downstairs…
Two hours later…
The two cousins met up at the entrance gate to the college campus
"Hey Gwen"
"Hey Ben"
"Ready to start a new life?" asked the red haired girl
"Not really…" said Ben nervously
"Come on Ben relax. You'll be fine" she said and pecked him on the cheek as she walked through the gate with her parents as Ben followed with his own. They reached an auditorium with rows of chairs on looking a stage down below. The two families sat beside each other with Ben and Gwen sitting together. When everyone was in and seated a tall man of about fifty walked onto the stage. He was wearing glasses and had a partially bald head with gray hair. He stood in front of the podium and spoke into the microphone
"Good morning fellow parents and newcomers. My name is David Cohen I'm the dean of this university and I'm here to welcome to the Bellwood's Stanford University. During your studies you will receive state of the art equipment and lab conditions and you will have teachers having a world renowned name and position. Right by the stage is the school secretary; she will direct every one of you to your designated area where you will study. On behalf of Stanford universities I welcome you to our doors and wish you all a very enjoyable and fruitful education. Thank you..." he said and the crowd applauded as he got off the stage. Before long a long line formed in front of the school secretary which grew smaller as each person received his instructions
Finally it was Ben and Gwen's turn
"Name?" asked the secretary
"Benjamin Kirby Tennyson"
"Subject of degree?"
"Medicine"
"Building C floor 2 class number 1" said the lady as Ben stepped aside but remained there to see where Gwen would be placed
"Next"
"Gwendolyn Cary Tennyson"
"Subject of degree?"
"Nursing"
"Building C floor 2 class number 2" said the lady as Gwen stepped aside
"Well what do you know? We're going to be next door now" said Gwen
"How about that?" said Ben as he smiled at her. The parents walked them all the way to their class doors where they parted. Each parent hugged their own child and said how proud they were of them and did the same thing with their niece and nephew. Before long it was time to say goodbye and eventually they parted. Now Ben and Gwen stood in front of each other and looked deep into each other's eyes
"Well this is it…" said Gwen
"Yeah" said her boyfriend as they stood in silence
"You're ready for this?" he asked
"Not really but I'll manage"
"I'm sure you will"
They smiled at his remark
"Well I'll see you after class…" said Ben
"Yeah…" replied his cousin as they leaned in for a kiss
"Good luck" said Ben
"You too" said the girl and they each went into their own class. During the next hour and a half Ben was introduced to his teacher and classmates and started learning the importance and responsibility of being a doctor while Gwen was going through the same only she was learning of the responsibilities of being a nurse. They knew they are goona enjoy their time here and they knew that they're in good hands…
To be continued….
Well that was a long one… sorry it was so long, I wanted to set a personal record. Did you like it? Did you dislike it? Did you like it even more?
Please tell me what you think in your reviews on your way out…
Thank you…