Since Chris and I were the naughtiest during our high school time, he didn't believe me when I told him we needed to change. He wanted us to enjoy our last year. I tried to explain it to him that on top of working for my diploma—I had to secure my writing scholarship by getting involved in any writing activities. He understood me and admired my change of mind. I asked him to finish tiding the room while I headed to the briefing office. There was a gathering for new students. Chris agreed with me and he walked me outside. He was like a brother to me, even though I didn't know his parents. His mom was overseas and his dad died when he was young. My dad was treating Chris as his own son, but he forbade us from staying together when we were growing up. We didn't know the actual reason. I only thought it was because of our naughtiness, but I felt like there was more to it. After high school, my father moved Chris to Skyling City for him to pursue his diploma while I remained in Rockline City. At first, Chris was living off-campus in his mother's big house. However, he ended up deciding to live on the college premises after he gave his complaints to my dad. My dad understood him, so he let him do whatever he wanted. Despite my dad trying to separate Chris and me, events led us to share a room.
In the briefing room, I found a few students already there. The moment I went to find my seat, the representative from the admission office entered. She welcomed and briefed us about the college rules and some related information. After that, I asked about writing classes. I got disappointed because they didn't respond enough to give me more information. I realized I was the only one who had a writing scholarship. We finished our gathering, and I went back to my room. I found Chris bathing. I took my towel and brushed my teeth while I was waiting for him to finish. It was necessary for me to bathe because my body was feeling tired. After brushing my teeth, I made my bed to look more comfortable by spreading a blue blanket that had a decoration of the moon's pictures. The college beds were so comforting with a big popped out mattress. I removed my books from my bag and arranged them in my locker, which was next to my bed. My clothes were already inside the locker and my laptop was on a bedside table. The moment I finished arranging my belongings, Chris entered the room after bathing. He asked about the briefing, and I enlightened him. After that, I went inside a bathroom for a cold shower. As the water pattered on my head, I felt my muscles relaxing. I stood under the shower for a few minutes. Thereafter, I dried myself. When I got back to the room, Chris was already sleeping. I wondered why he slept that early. I kept quiet and went to my bed. Within minutes, I was dreaming.
When the morning siren rang, signalling for us to be in our classes. Chris and I were already heading to the classroom blocks. We met some of Chris' friends—Mariana and Leticia. They were sisters. Mariana was Chris' girlfriend, and she had a bubbly personality. She was a student president. Her little sister, Leticia, was in her first year. Chris introduced them to me and we hugged.
"Hey, Chris Daniel! It's been long I haven't seen you?" a live voice hit the moment.
"Renata… you look so fabulous, it seems your holiday has pressed you good," Chris happily responded as he kissed her forehead.
We stood for a few minutes chatting until Mariana urged Leticia and me to go to our classes while they went to do their duties—patrolling since they were prefects. They made an interesting team. Chris was good at wearing a serious face, Mariana seemed to be the drama queen with a commanding voice, and Renata looked good as a situation handler with an understanding personality. Leticia led me to the Anatomy class. When we were inside the class, I left her at the front desk while I was looking around. The classroom was huge, and it had many chemical shelves. I almost collapsed when my eyes met with a live black gigantic snake, which was inside a laboratory glass. I pedalled my eyes on other shelves and saw other living organisms, some alive and some dead. From what I was seeing, I knew I was going to enjoy all of my crazy anatomy experiments. Skyling College had almost everything for my classes compared to Rockline College. It didn't take time for other students to get into the classroom. When I went back to find a seat, Leticia was no longer in my sight.
"Hey, my name is Oliver. I am new here," I introduced myself to the lad who sat next to me. "Did you see the girl who was just here, Leticia?"
I talked with a high spirit to the lad, but he ignored me. I felt embarrassed and wondered what could be it I did which might have angered him. My energy dropped, and I saw it was better to sit far from him.
"I am Marcos. You should know, it's good for a newcomer to know his level. You shouldn't befriend Leticia if you don't want trouble. This is Skyling College, not a ruin like your former college," he said, patting my shoulders. Before I could respond to him, the tutor came into the class, and we all stood up.
"Good morning class! Remember, we need to gear up. Let's sit down and pair up into twos," Mr. Mateo, the tutor, announced.
Instead of pairing with Marcos, I saw it wise to look for a better partner. Marcos and I weren't a good team. I looked behind me and saw a familiar face. I tried to remember the face and my memory didn't disappoint me. The pretty-familiar face was Triana's. I met her during high school and wished to try my luck but I retreated. Despite most girls loving me, I felt afraid to approach Triana. She looked focused and straightforward. Before I could talk to her, she was already smiling at me. I instantly stood up, picked my book and went to sit next to her.
"I never thought we will meet again. Anyway, do you mind we pair up?" I asked.
"Yeah sure Oliver…" she agreed, her face bubbling with a smile. "You disappeared even from your home."
"I'm always around during holidays, just that most of the times I will be in the library," I said.
We chatted a little, and I realized she often visited Rockline City. She was the daughter of the Skyling City MP. After knowing chatting a little, we kept quiet, as Mateo ordered us, since the class was then quiet.
"Okay class. Who first discovered Anatomy?" Mr. Mateo asked, starting the lesson.
"Who doesn't know that?" I asked.
I thought I was speaking in a lower tone to Triana until I heard the whole class laughing and staring at me. Mr. Mateo looked at me. I could tell he was ready to return the insult. He already knew I was the new student and didn't care about formal introductions.
"What's the answer, Oliver?"
My confidence worn out and my lips became heavy to speak the answer even though I knew it. The answer was simple—Belgian born anatomist and physician, Andreas Vesalius, discovered Anatomy. I stood up and liaised with my instincts for courage to speak up. Triana whispered for me to speak and I spoke the answer. Everyone's eyes hung on me after Mr. Mateo agreed to my answer. I felt like I was a genius when the class cheered up at me. I looked at Marcos; he was quiet, staring at me with a stabbing look. I didn't know what he wanted from me. We continued with the lesson until Mr. Mateo told us that our pairings were going to last until graduation. After that, he gave us an assignment and dismissed the class. Triana and I headed to the cafeteria; where we bought some snacks and sat down to eat. I thought of telling her how I once felt about her since the feeling remained the same, but I stopped myself. She was good to me as a friend.