The Truth of Us

time: 2006

setting: college campus US and Scotland

My Mission: To encourage others that love is a gift best given altruistically

Prologue:

It's not everyday that you are given an opportunity to start a new life on a new continent. It certainly wasn't in the plans that Anna had dreamed that her life would look like at the ripe age of 20. She had meticulously pushed her way through school as fast as she could, graduating high school a year early and achieving her undergraduate degrees in 3 and ½ years. Having a dual degree with honors in History and Psychology was not only her life-long dream, but it afforded her some level of self-approval, which she lacked desperately. Here she was, most of her belongings in storage or packed into a crate already headed to her new life in Scotland. Anna believed she knew what love was and that perhaps she wasn't destined to experience it firsthand. Not for the lack of interest, but Anna was so focused on earning her doctorate in History with Genealogical Studies that she left little time to develop deep, lasting relationships. Having a degree in Psychology was mainly because her dad had been a professor of psychology and Anna truly believed it would help her in any field that she chose, but it also cast a light on the fact that relationships were not her area of expertise. Or maybe that was the excuse she kept telling herself. She had received a full scholarship plus a stipend on top of her handsome inheritance, but that was not to be made public due to wanting to lay low which was loosely tied to her motto which was "Always strive to achieve her goals anonymously", meaning don't get noticed! When people know you have money they treat you differently. In any case she was ready to start her new life overseas. The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow was exactly the type of adventure that Anna wanted and she wasn't about to let something as trivial as romance interfere with her dreams. Anna was disciplined and strict with her diet, exercise, and her entire life, she always said no drugs and no to drinking… Well, drinking was allowed in Scotland at 18 so maybe in moderation. Anna was ready to embrace her new life, for the obvious reason alone that she had no one tying her to the United states. Anna had no siblings, her parents had adopted her when she was about a year old and they both had passed and had no relation. Perhaps that is why Anna was so fixated on genealogy and history, she didn't have one as far as she knew. No, the next adventure for Anna was going to prove to be the most exciting of her life. She would make certain of that.

Chapter 1:

The Roommate:

Anna had survived the 15 hour flight from Columbus Ohio to Glasgow. Her nerves and jet lag were settled, but just like clockwork her anxiety kicked into full gear due to the fast-approaching hour of meeting her new roommate, probably for the next 4 years. Anna planned on finishing her degree early if possible, but she was going to take that one semester at a time.

She just hoped that the letters and phone calls with Fiona were enough to strike up a casual friendship, nothing too deep of course, but Fiona was from Scotland. Thurso to be exact, Fiona, who insisted on being called Fi came from a long line of Scots. Having the Surname Mackay helps validate that. Fi was obviously an extrovert, being the first one to reach out to Anna. Anna believed that first impressions were everything. From the first sight of Fi Anna was impressed, her long red hair flowing and perfectly tied down with hair clips that brought out the green in her eyes and her outfit was impeccable to say the least.

Anna coming from a wealthy American family was not in want of anything and certainly was dressed in what was commonly envied for a 20 year old pretentious white privileged American young lady, but Anna has always felt awkward, not only in her high end clothing, but even her own skin. she never could really relax and be herself. Anna Elizabeth Thompson couldn't feel any more out of place standing in the common room of her new dorm than if she were walking down the runway of the Miss America pageant during the swimsuit competition… without a swimsuit!. She pleaded with the universe to simply allow the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Which seemed like a completely logical argument, but that didn't happen.

Fi, being her bubbly, adorable and slightly enigmatic self, almost instantly and quite miraculously, set Anna at ease. It had crossed Anna's mind at least once that if she were to survive Scotland for the next 4 years, what better guide could she possibly ask for? Fi was talking a mile a minute and leading Anna up to their new room. Anna had already paid in full for the year, just to have one less thing to worry about during her studies and it didn't occur until now, that maybe Fi did the same, as well? Perhaps they were paired together by the university for that reason and that they both were seeking their PhD's in History/Genealogical Studies. Judging by her appearance she certainly came from money, but she didn't have the American spoiled-rotten attitude that Anna so emphatically despised. No, Fi was a kindred spirit and Anna felt at ease around her from the start.

Upon entering the dorm Anna was in awe of the decor. Fi stated that her Ma was the one who decorated the space. Anna was a bit surprised to find that it was not a typical dorm and that it was a two bedroom flat with a full kitchen and they each had their own bathroom. Anna wasn't sure what she expected but even though the space was compact it had everything she could possibly need she even had a study nook in her bedroom which would provide her the perfect spot to be her introverted self. Her belongings arrived and were unpacked for her which she didn't expect. Just then Fi popped her head in and said "I hope ye don't mind but my Ma had this all unpacked for ye". Anna just blinked in astonishment and was able to mumble a "no, of course not er… tell your mom I said thanks!". And with that Fi plopped on Anna's bed and began to talk nonstop about the plans she had for the both of them. Anna listened with polite attention and at the end she was able to deduce that Fi had already made some friends and they were going out for dinner to a local pub to which Anna found some mysterious voice inside of her saying "yes, I'd love to join you."

Fi left Anna to her thoughts and Anna had the arduous task of unpacking her clothes for which she was grateful that Fi's Mom didn't take upon herself to unpack. Anna was pretty particular about her clothes and shoes and she was grateful for the closet being on the large size for a European college flat. She was about to organize her closet to her heart's desire and was just finishing the last touches of her room by stringing her faerie lights when Fi, and another young woman whom she had not met yet entered the room. Both of them were instantly in awe of the way Anna had decorated her room and asked in unison where she got the faerie lights to which Anna replied "Amazon ''. Both girls immediately went to their cell phones. Fi momentarily paused and apologized to Anna, I hope you don't mind if we order lights like this? Anna was a bit surprised at the apology and realized Fi probably had come into contact with the type of "absolutely not" "I am actually flattered that you would want to do the same as me". All three girls started giggling simultaneously and decided then and there they would all be friends even if it was an unspoken agreement.

Anna apologized to Fi and the new girl and said "oh, sorry, I'm Anna Thompson" to which Fi said "nae, that's my fault" "This here is my cousin and fellow History major Jemma, she is also a Mackay" "Jemma is interested in teaching history at the University and is focused on Scottish Highland History''. Without missing a beat Jemma replied "I can speak if ye are wondering, but my cousin here has been my voice since we were wee." Anna chuckled and felt the same easiness around Jemma as she did with Fi. Anna wondered if that was a Scottish thing or something different.

Either way it was a new feeling and Anna was enjoying it immensely. The next few hours were filled with delicious food, warm smiles, giggles and simple conversations with a couple other students that live on the same floor. To top off the night Anna's tasted her first dram of Whiskey. She didn't remember the name, but it was warm and made her feel like she was wrapped in a blanket on a snowy night. Anna didn't share her silly thoughts with her new friends and decided to simply say "it was delicious' ' and the girls all giggled and walked back to their flat eager to start their new lives together.

Anna discovered that Jemma was without a roommate and lived in a Single flat to which she thought was odd since the University was adamant about pairing her with someone, but maybe it was because Jemma was from Scotland so she pushed the thought from her mind. It was Saturday morning and there was a week full of workshops and tasks that needed to be checked off before she started her classes so she compartmentalized her life like always and focused on her todo list. First stop, the campus bookstore.

Anna was not sure what she expected the university bookstore to look like but it was a typical university bookshop with all the stuff she needed. Anna quickly checked off her todo list of items and felt confident with her organization's skills. She has not seen Fi or anyone else yet. Anna was a bit of an early bird and was up and about before her roommate. Walking the streets of Glasgow alone proved to be a bit daunting, but Anna was excited about her new adventure and embraced it wholeheartedly.

Anna would like to blame the beautiful architecture which drew her attention away from walking and with full force collide with a rather large person who spoke emphatically "Gabh mo leisguel" in an unknown language to Anna who hoped it was not directed to her in anger, but Anna was still trying to collect herself and said "I am so sorry" which she probably repeated a million times. The man was Scottish and was smartly dressed in what Anna called "Professor attire" Yet he seemed too young to be a professor.

Once they collected themselves after their bumpy encounter, the man introduced himself as Andrew Campbell and Anna stuck her hand out and blurted "Anna Thompson, again so sorry about that, I was admiring the buildings and was not watching where I was going." Andrew replied, "dinna fash, I was looking at my phone, the fault is mine" "Aye yer American?" Anna replied: "guilty… Um I'm a grad student at Strathclyde'' Andrew said "Ahhh wonderful I am a student teacher of linguistics. Well, newly appointed, that is, finishing up my dissertation on the Gaelic Language." Anna was only vaguely familiar with Gaelic and did not know what it actually sounded like. To which she replied, "Is that the language you were speaking when I bumped into you? Andrew replied with his sideways smile and said "oh, Aye ''.

Anna quickly looked away from his eyes and said "Oh, well that sounds lovely, but I must be off now, lots to do before the semester starts." Andrew replied: "I did not catch what ye were studying here?" Anna stumbled over her words and hoped he could understand her saying she was studying History/and Genealogical studies. Anna tried to change the subject in hopes of ending the conversation quickly, but she stated she needed to return to Thomas Campbell Court to meet her roommate Fi and oh my gosh look at the time." To which Andrew replied "aye then ye need to go in the other direction to get back" "that's the way i'm going" Anna blushed a bit, but quickly regained her composure and said "oh what luck".

The two headed off towards the dorm and Andrew went on to discuss that he also lived in Campbell hall and that he lived on the ground floor and was an RA to the first year male grad students on that floor. Anna listened but wondered how she was going to let Fi know that she used her as an excuse to get out of an awkward situation. She secretly hoped that Fi was out of the dorm and definitely not in the common room when they got back. As they neared the entrance Anna started to feel her anxiety level rise and it was clear to her that she was not good at hiding her feelings so she said to Andrew. I am so sorry about earlier and it was really nice to meet you. To which Andrew said in his devastatingly attractive accent "Oh, Aye the feeling is mutual and I hope to bump into you again soon". Anna felt the scarlet rising in her face and shuffled off to the elevator. Thankful to not see Fi and the bonus that the elevator opened up almost on command and she disappeared into the metal lift.

Anna was thankful to be in her little apartment and started to organize her desk area. Anna kept thinking about Andrew, but was snapped back into reality when she heard Fi laughing in the kitchen area. She realized that she had barely organized anything and looked at the clock which confirmed she had been daydreaming for about 30 minutes… Daydreaming about Andrew! Ugh! Anna was instantly disappointed in herself and tried to push the thoughts away. Anna regained her composure and went to the living room to find Fi and Jemma discussing their shopping experiences.

Fi beamed at Anna and said: "Oh, there ye are!" "We missed you today". To which Anna immediately apologized "oh, so sorry about that I am a bit of an early riser here, guess I am still getting use to the time difference" Fi said "no worries" "we are just talking about where we will eat supper" Anna said "Oh, um do you guys eat out alot? I was just going to the grocery store to get some food items" Fi quickly inserted: "Well, my Ma stocked the panty full and the icebox, but we do like to eat out when the weather is nice, we usually save the cooking at home for when it's cold". Anna said, "oh right, ummm well, I could join you guys for supper then if that's ok." Fi looked at Anna and somehow could see right through her. Fi asked her point blank: "Did you meet a Lad today?" Anna quickly looked away due to her blushing and said "Oh, I bumped into a guy when I was looking at the buildings." "He is um an RA on the first floor of our building actually, but that was all, I just felt a little foolish for not paying attention to where I was walking"

Fi smiled and said "Oh, ye met Andrew then". "He's a handsome lad for sure" then she and Jemma looked at eachother and winked. Anna quickly said: "oh, it's not like that… He's a student teacher and almost done here… I just felt silly is all". Fi smiled and said "ok whatever ye say darlin". Anna didn't know which was worse, the fact that she did have feelings for Andrew without even knowing him or the fact that Fi could actually see that just from the look on her face. Either way Anna was even more determined to not fall for the man. Absolutely shhe was not willing to admit that she did feel like there was a spark between her and Andrew. She had not even attended her first class! She was not going to let his dashing smile or attractive hair or his deeply beautiful eyes… No, Anna had to figure out a way to push these thoughts aside.

The three girls set off for a new pub that Fi and Jemma said in unison: "you just have to try Anna". Anna replied sure I trust you both! Fi and Jemma stopped in their tracks and looked at Anna. Anna quickly added "sorry, I just mean that I feel that you both are kindred spirits and I feel very at ease around you both, sorry" Fi and Jemma both smiled and said "nae worries!" "We both feel the same connection to you!" Anna felt her body relax, probably for the first time ever and smiled back at the girls. "Sooo you don't think I'm weird?" To which Jemma quickly shot in. "Oh Aye, we know you're weird… that's why we like you so much!" The three girls started giggling and traipsed off to find their supper. Anna couldn't remember ever feeling this happy and she hoped it would never end.