1.1
Shirong Deng
The crowd, the chattering, the hot and humid day, the non AC room, everything was making me sick. I was sitting inside that desert like room with twenty more students for almost an hour, to submit my application form.
In the midst of this depressing scenario, I quietly sat on a very uncomfortable steel chair with my earphones on, listening to Sex Pistols, in a minimum volume, just to make sure I don't miss my turn. I observe the surrounding people, they were all neatly dressed, holding a folder consisting of certificates and other relevant documents, next to their hands, combed hair and shining black shoes.
*Just like those rich businessmen.*
Hooligan. A freaking hooligan. That's what I thought, looking at myself. I was wearing an old polyester jacket, gray track pants, dirty white sneakers and a bag containing all my documents, I slowly hid my feet underneath the chair to make it invisible from them.
Then, I moved my eyes to some girls, giggling and blushing, across the waiting room, secretly eyeing on a handsome lad, who was sitting two chairs away from me.
"Lucky guy!" I said to myself, staring at him. But he doesn't feel lucky at all, maybe because he faces these kinds of situations every time he goes out.
"Shirong Deng?" A creaky voice called me up.
"Yes, sir." I said, plugging out my earpieces. I stood up from the uncomfortable chair and walked towards the admission counter.
I lean my head a bit down to listen what exactly that old man sitting inside that small box like cabin was trying to say, "You opted for Psychology?" He asked, throwing a look at my admission form.
"Yes, sir." I said, leaning my head forward.
"Sorry, but there's no vacancy. Choose another subject." He said and waited for my reply. He was tapping his pen's tip on the desk, wanting me to reply fast.
"But I applied for Psychology. How can I just change my subject, like all of a sudden?" I said gazing at that impatient old hag.
"Don't ask me, ask your marks. Your marks didn't get through the subject."
We both stared at each other for a while.
"Alright! What else subject can you put me through?" I asked with a tone of disappointment.
"History or Philosophy. Your call."
I never liked remembering old facts and dates nor did I ever liked studying some philosophical shit, but I don't have a choice. I have to get in here, accepting the fact that I was rejected from the other colleges where I applied.
"Put me in history, then." I said, again with the tone of disappointment.
His fingers danced on the keyboard, signed a small pink receipt and gave it to me.
"Here." He looked at me for a while and then said, "Welcome to McDale."
1.2
Thomson Bosco
"How was the feeling of winning the state championships?" The coach asked, scanning my certificates.
"Winning the state championship didn't surprise me. I am capable of doing much more." I said, in the most confident manner.
The coach gave me a tough look, I regret saying that line.
"Your certificates are impressive, but you have to go through the practical exams. Tradition, you know." He handed me back my certificates.
"Yeah sure." I put my file inside my sport bag, and stretch my arms, just to look like a professional athlete.
The coach clicked some buttons on his stopwatch, brought the whistle nearer to his mouth and said, "Let's see how much you are capable of. 60 push ups in 60 seconds."
"That's impossible." I thought. He was trying to read my face, I acted as if 60 push ups in 60 seconds doesn't mean anything to me.
"Alright, coach. Let's hit it." I said, getting into the push up position
The whistle blew. Without wasting a second, I started with the push ups. *One push up at a second, it will be fine*.
I did as fast as I can. I forcefully closed my eyes to gather more energy. After a long minute, the coach blew his whistle again.
"58 in 60 seconds." He said.
"I'm sorry, give me another task. I'll do it." I panted.
"No, that's impressive." His eyes were focused on me, he clapped my back and said, "You just broke a record."
*Huh? Did I*
"56 was the highest, made by our football captain, Ruth. I see, he's going to get a tough competitor now." He smiled.
I was still gasping for air, when I heard him saying, "Welcome to McDale."
1.3
Jonathan Brooke
*A guy just returned from the admission counter with a depressed face. Maybe he was rejected, and by looking at his outfit, he must've been rejected.*
"And what the heck are they smiling about?" I said to myself, looking at some random girls, who were busy smiling and gossiping.
*Gosh, why did I ever applied to this college?*
McDale was the last option left. It's not about marks, marks were never the reason. The thought of filling up the form at the last hour was the reason which destroyed me and my dreams completely. I was careless.
Now, McDale was the only college which was still recruiting students.
"Jonathan Brooke" the same old creaky voice who was calling out different names, finally called my name.
"Here." I said, stood up from wherever I was sitting and headed towards the counter.
"Your marks are breathtaking. If you had applied for St. Thomas, you could've got through in there." the old man said.
*Yeah, right! I never thought of that*
"Nah, actually I always wanted to study here. My dream college, you know." I lied and faked a smile.
He said nothing, he knew I was lying because no one would choose McDale over St. Thomas. Getting into St. Thomas is like getting a call from Oxford University and studying there.
"Anyways, here's your receipt." He handed me a pink colored slip and with a smiling face, he said, "Welcome to McDale."
1.4
Becky Daynes
"Cool specs. Handsome smile. Sexy body." Tina scanned a random guy, sitting inside the waiting room.
"Can you please stop this? You're acting like a freak." I whispered to her.
Tina looked at me, as if I snatched away all her freedom and rights, she said, "Just look at him once."
"Yeah, she's right. C'mon curly hairs, just one glance and you'll go crazy." Risa said, keeping her hand on my shoulder.
Tina and Risa are my best high school buddies, we planned to apply for the same college to continue the fire of our friendship.
I looked at wherever Risa was pointing secretly, and witnessed a handsome guy sitting, far, far away from us.
*Damn, he is cute*
I acted as if I'm not interested and said, "No, thanks. You guys carry on."
I don't have time to waste admiring a random cute guy, who don't even care about my existence. I have things to worry about.
Admission. College life. Study Pressure.
*I'm done with my life.*
"Tina Lawrence."
Her name was announced. We wished her luck as she stood up and headed towards the admission counter.
Risa and I were waiting for her news, looking all tensed, as we applied for only one college, and if we don't make it, then our one-year might go down the drains.
She returned to us and gave a slight smile. We knew what she was going to tell us.
*I didn't get through*
'Please, I don't want to hear this.' I prayed and closed my eyes.
"I didn't get through." She said, softly.
My body suddenly went all numb. I said nothing, because honestly I was seriously not at all prepared for this situation. Risa stood up and hugged her. I did the same.
"Don't worry. We are going to try another college. What say, Becky?" Risa said.
No, of course not. All the other colleges stopped recruiting more students, there's no chance of getting in other colleges.
I looked at Risa, completely blank.
"Becky Daynes." My name was called.
"Listen, even if you get through, don't join it. We will study together, and in the same college." Risa ordered.
I, without answering Risa, headed towards the admission counter.
"You opted for Economics?" The old man sitting inside that cozy cabin asked.
"Ye--Yes" I stuttered.
He signed a pink slip and handed to me and said, "Welcome to McDale."