Clara was sipping the wine in her hand when I walked in. I put on a regretful face which precisely made her roll her eyes and then look away. I threw the bag to any place carelessly, came closer to her, and grabbed the glass in her hand. Gulp the wine down till it is empty.
"What are you doing here?" she blurted out in annoyance, then take back the empty glass from me. Her face looks crumpled like crepe paper.
"Oh, come on, Clara ... you don't have to be so angry. This is the first time I didn't keep my promise, right?" I hugged her tiny body, making her struggle to get loose.
"We're at your house. After all, what if we did? That's just their opinion, in fact, you still have a lust for men, so do I. All men can see, you're beautiful I'm beautiful too. They will still be attracted to us. " I laughed. He landed a pat on my arm.
"Hey, you! Where have you been not responding to my calls and messages? Who else are you in bed with?" She scowled. "I waited for you so long and like a fool."
"I'm so sorry, Clara. Something happened to me. I've got an accident." I sighed tiredly. Laying down on Clara's soft sofa.
Clara covered her mouth with her hand when she heard my words. She then noticed that my forehead was covered in plaster.
"Oh, my God! Are you all right? Does this hurt?" asked the girl, trying to touch the object stuck to my forehead. I avoided his hand.
"Don't! That hurts!" I shouted. "I'm fine, but had to take some supplements due to low red blood cell levels."
"Ah, that must have something to do with your conditions of light-headedness and fainting."
I just nodded, then knead my forehead which suddenly felt heavy again.
"Oh, my heads hurt, so I'd better go home now." I got up, took a bottle of mineral water from the fridge, and took a sip. "See you in class," I said goodbye to Clara which was only answered with a wave.
***
I hurriedly get out of the car. I slept so soundly last night that I didn't realize I had missed a class. My mouth bit a piece of bread that I didn't have time to swallow, even since the food was still there. I ignored some students who teased me with rude calls, stay focused on where I'm headed now. They can be taken care of, later. I'll do the math on them.
When I'm arriving at the door of the Anatomy classroom, I threw the bread in my mouth into the wastebasket not far from where I was standing now, straightened my messy hair, and opened the classroom door after knocking it three times.
"Excuse me, sir, sorry I'm la—" I stuttered when I saw who was standing at the front of the class, giving theory to a group of students who were watching him intently.
That doctor ... Uhm, what's his name? I don't remember it. I only remember a tall, sturdy body with clean skin, sharp eyes, and glasses that hang from the bridge of his nose.
It was like he recognized me. His eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed as if he was trying to remember. Either my name or...
"Miss Jameson, please come in."
BINGO! He correctly said my last name. Good memory. Too bad I don't remember this Doctor's name except for his physical characteristics.
I nodded, then took the remaining seat next to the back corner.
I just found out that the doctor is an anatomy class lecturer. As far as I know, Doctor Jane Lanford is the lecturer for this class. Has she stopped teaching and been replaced by this man?
I looked for Clara who was sitting far in front. She is a smart student so she will always choose a seat in the front row. Meanwhile, I don't know why I was stranded in this place. Only because of the Biology exam that scored almost perfect in Senior High School. Even though it was the result of cheating because I often didn't study before the exam.
Or I just don't know the real purpose of my life, so it's easier to just follow my best friend.
Clara has always been smart. However, since we were friends since childhood, it seemed inseparable. Sometimes people think we're a lesbian couple just because it looks like we don't have a boyfriend and we're always alone everywhere. Clara was an idol girl from the first. She always dating a different man. Dating for only a month or two, then it's gone. She even gave up her virginity at the age of 15.
OOPS! Sorry I slipped it away. I hope Clara doesn't know I'm talking about her.
What about me? Do not ask. I've only dated once in my life so far. Others were just last night's flings.
So, how is it different from Clara? And who is the idol of the men? Still Clara. She is beautiful, girly, neat, smart ... and many advantages that she has. Unlike me, who seems boyish and doesn't like long-winded and sickening love relationships.
Even though I have experienced falling in love, for me dating at a young age is a waste of time. Therefore I prefer to enjoy the fun just for one night. And one more thing, after one night, I will not repeat with the same person. Ever.
I paid close attention to the Lecturer's explanation of human anatomy. Regarding the structure, arrangement, and blah blah blah. Who knows, how many hours will this course end? It felt like time was running very slowly. My stomach has been rumbling ever since.
"Okay, I'll end today's lecture. For the next meeting I hope no one will be late because we will be doing hands-on practice using props," explained the man who was standing in front of the class.
His eagle eyes suddenly looked at me. "Miss Jameson, try to come early." He traced a faint smile on his firm face decorated with fine hair.
"Okay, Doc," I replied, lazily. The man then packed his things and left the classroom.
After he left, I jogged to the campus cafeteria to fill my stomach that had been screaming for a long time. Without greeting or inviting Clara with me. When I'm hungry, I often forget about it. It's okay, she'll follow later if she wants.
Before long, I was sitting in a chair overlooking a salad of vegetables and chicken, and a glass of orange juice. Eat food without caring for anyone else. I'm alone. I don't know why Clara didn't come here either. She was probably with Darren, the Pharmacy student who had a crush on her since freshman year.
Never mind, just let her enjoy a date with anyone so she will no longer be mistaken for my lover. And I will enjoy a delicious vegetable salad in front of me.
Being busy with my food, someone took a place and sat across from the table I was occupying. I suddenly stuttered and swallowed the salad in my mouth with all my might.
"No rush, I didn't come to punish you for being late." The man smiled and took a sip of the coffee in his hand.
"I didn't know you went to college here. Even took this major," he commented.
I—who finally managed to swallow the whole food in my mouth, just smiled wryly.
"What's wrong with someone like me? Do I look unworthy to be in this major?" I asked him, annoyedly.
The man just shrugged his shoulders. Damn it! Although my biology lessons are the result of cheating, that's not entirely. If it's just anatomy in English, I can do it by myself. Don't ask if, in scientific language, I have to open my anatomy dictionary for that.
"There's mayonnaise on the corner of your lips," he said, pointing to his own. I cleaned where he indicated. "Not there."
His hand crossed the table and wiped the corner of my lips with a piece of tissue then. "Well, that's it. Alright, you can continue with your lunch, you look really hungry, so I don't want to bother you. See you later."
The man got up and then left. I followed him out of the corner of my eye. He walked leisurely with his left hand in his trouser pocket while his right hand was still holding a cup of coffee. I sighed. Why is my heart beating like this, huh? Am I sick? I felt my forehead and checked the pulse on my wrist. All normal.
Oh, maybe I'm just still hungry. I'll just order a portion of pancakes for dessert then, but later after finishing this salad, then return to the classroom for the next class.
***