Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Choices to be made, heads to sever, bodies to burn, fight for my freedom, renege the love I carry for Mason, and in exchange I can finish my studies. I do not doubt that Eric would make good on his word, and once I'm expelled he will make sure that I won't be able to set foot in another academic institution. Not a good one, anyway.
Can we just take a moment to acknowledge the fact that adulting sucks?
Please put a hand up if we can all agree on this insignificant detail.
I, for sure, am failing miserably at something that comes to others so effortlessly.
I set a time with Tamara for Wednesday morning, when I have a free period and take my sour mood elsewhere.
Emmeline has finished teaching the class, so I take the next one.
I finally get a chance to exchange a few words with Tyler, until Riley joins us, and begins anew to tell us in great detail about the object of her desires.
Casey's lisp is the star of this epic tale, that little attribute that has Riley so enamoured, for some reason drives me absolutely mad. Especially, since Riley tries to mimic it, and ends up spitting all over our faces. Mine, and Tyler's.
" Ewww," We both say in unison, wiping her spittle off our faces.
" Sorry guys," She doesn't seem sorry at all, in fact, she smiling so wide that the corners of her mouth reach from one ear to another.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that the shy, shunned girl has found love, as long she doesn't spit it in our faces.
" It's alright," Tyler swipes under his eyes and then wipes his hand on his jeans.
" So, this Casey guy has all the bells and whistles by the sound of it, " Casey says casually and Riley blushes.
" I don't know about that, we haven't done it yet," Well, he must be a charmer, because he has got Riley twisted up in knots. And, he has only taken her on a few dates. Might I say, kudos to him, but in my vast experience of attention-starved youngster, it doesn't take much to dazzle us.
Tyler humms next to me, seemingly thinking. About what, only he knows because that is all his input for the rest of the conversation. Riley takes over once more yammerring on and on, until the Professor walks in and commands our attention.
And since Titian is no longer among us to cause any trouble, the class goes quiet.
The professor might be talking but I ain't listening, because I'm trying to find a solution to my little problem.
I've only just got back a piece of my life and now I'm asked to give it up.
It would be a completely different matter if I wasn't in love with Mason and our lives wouldn't be so tightly woven together.
But then again, Eric said to terminate the relationship, not all contact. So, I might be able to swing this after all.
Cunning is not one of my personality traits, but maybe I should make a point in developing it.
The sound of chairs dragging, and screeching against the wooden floor drags me back to reality and the very unpleasant present.
" Lunch," Riley beams as we make a move out of the rows of seats.
" Are you cooking?" I ask trying to keep my current state of mind to myself. Screaming for the hills would be a great way to release the tension I'm experiencing.
" Oh, god no. I'm a terrible cook," She laughs and walks ahead of us.
" Good to know. Remind me not to eat anything she cooks," Tyler says under his breath. At least that makes me crack a smile and forget about my latest predicament.
"Don't worry. She is still alive. She can't be that bad," I say lightly. Tyler looks at me with mild concern.
" That's probably because she doesn't eat what she cooks. I'm telling you, I'm not risking my life to find out, either way," A tad dramatic if you ask me, but I can understand Tyler's reticence.
" How about this, will just grab something in the lunch hall. I know it's not the best but it will keep you going until you cook yourself something," I offer. It's not the greatest but I'm not cooking. I still have some leftovers from the other night and that will be my dinner.
Mason left at the crack of dawn to work and said that he would come back after nightfall. When all the nosey people have gone to sleep. We've been sharing that uncomfortable single bed, and I can say with certainty that I've never slept better.
Plus, I'm seeing Laira after lunch, and I'm looking forward to the promised goodies.
We quickly grab a bite at the lunch hall from the limited selection they offer, and sit down at one of the tables.
I spot Kaya, David and Frederik at one of the tables and offer them a small wave in passing.
When David rises, his little pose follows, and I already know what this is about.
" Hi," He says to everyone and claims a seat from the nearest table.
" Hi," We chorus at various stages of chewing our food.
" How was your holiday?" David looks around the table waiting for one of us to answer.
After our little debacle, when we all were in the same room, it is safe to say that things are still a bit awkward.
" Good," I say, and leave it at that, while Tyler and Riley just nod in agreement with their mouths full.
Kaya and Frederik, stand to the side but say nothing for some reason.
David clears his throat," So, I was hoping that you'd be able to drop by the lab at one point this week. It would help Laira with her decahedron problem. I've managed to create a power cell but we need to see how much it can hold. And we don't want to fry the circuit here," I know what he means, but now he is using his trump card which is Laira. Hence why he is making nice.
" I'll see what I can do, " I take a bite of what appears to be a slice of eggy bread but tastes entirely different from what Enid makes.
" You study business," Riley points out " What would you know about sciency stuff, " She waves a hand in the air trying to find the right words, but all she comes up with is " I'm pretty sure that if you look too long at a mathematical equation smokes comes out of your ears," Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Although, she does make everyone laugh, and ease some of the tension.
" Right, " Frederik chimes in chuckling.
" I'd love to watch it happen, " Kaya adds, and just like that, I become the butt of the joke.
Well, at least everyone is happy, and not arguing.
So I laugh with them, mostly because if I don't, they'll think I'm stuck up.
Which I'm not.