With the water pressed against the roof of my mouth I bowed my head to receive the blessing of Father John. As I walked back to my place in the pews I tried to unstick the dry wafer from my mouth. While I appreciated the blessing and the body of Christ I did wish it wasn't so dry. I stood and sat just as I did every Sunday while the congregation spoke in holy unison. The proceedings of mass had become second nature to me at this point. I felt a pang if guilt for it, but I couldn't seem to pay attention this week. I could only stare blankly ahead as the priest gave his sermon. My mind was wandering to tomorrow's exam which I felt I hadn't studied enough for. I couldn't help myself from feeling like I should have just skipped mass this week and got the extra hour of studying in. That thought only brought more guilt with it.
We filed out of the chapel in single file and I immediately went upstairs to grab my backpack and my laptop. I still had time to leave for the library and get at least three hours of review in before it got too late. I might actually be able to get a window seat if I hurry. Most masses were just getting out and everyone stayed for post-mass snacks before getting back to their routines.
The crisp January evening bit my nose and I wished that I had a bike to get out of the cold quicker. A bike would have just rusted in the snowy late winter. I could see other students walking from every corner likely with the same window seated hope that I had. I picked up the pace and managed to get a pleasant elevator ride by myself. I loved these fleeting seconds in a small box where I could feel truly alone. My bliss was short lived as the door pinged open on the second floor and my eyes opened in disappointment. In walked a pale boy holding three books.
"Thirteenth Floor" he said as he walked on.
"Me too" I glanced at the books he was carrying. Theology of course. It was a Catholic school after all. The doors closed and the reflection of the stack made me do a double take. While Theology was extremely common, demonology was certainly not. I looked up to meet a pair of brown eyes watching me in the metal reflection of the silver door.
"I think the elevator just broke." He spoke calmly.
"What?" On cue the elevator shook before stopping. The doors opened halfway to reveal only a sliver of light across the top of the doorway. Of course it was just my luck to pick the elevator that was bound to stop between floors. This is what I get for spacing during mass. And probably for the negative mental feedback on the wafers.
His arm reached over me to press the red button and request help. He sighed and slid down the wall to crack open one of his books. I followed suit and opened my laptop. Dead. Of course elevators don't have outlets. I placed the useless computer into my backpack before resting my head against the cold steel wall. Maybe I could get a nap in then I could just stay up a bit later to study.
"My name's Jiang" he looked up from his book "I think we might be stuck here for a bit."
"I'm Yua, but everyone calls me by my baptismal name, Yvette." Only my family called me Yua.
"Yua is a pretty name, why go by Yvette?" He asked the question most other Asian students ask me.
"It was easier for everyone at my Catholic schools. Now it's just second nature I guess." I could already tell he didn't approve of my explanation. I knew that it looked like I was ashamed of my heritage. Especially when speaking to someone who clearly goes by their birth name.
"I'm not trying to make you feel judged, I was just curious. Would you prefer to be called Yvette or Yua? I mean if you could ignore everyone else's opinions on the matter." He seemed sincere.
"Probably Yua. I actually really prefer my birth name because it's so close to my mom's. Her name's Yura." I smiled thinking of how my dad would explain why he chose that name for me.
"I like Yua too. If you don't mind, could I call you Yua?" He smiled gently.
"Sure." The elevator shook and we travelled up to the thirteenth floor. As the doors opened the face of a worried mechanic and firefighter met Jiang and I. He stood first and his hand appeared in front of my face to help me up.
"That was faster than I thought it would be. I hope I get to see you around sometime."
"Me too. It was nice meeting you." I waved before quickly turning to search for an empty desk. As nice as Jiang seemed, I needed to start studying and I didn't really have time to think about boys.