Chapter Twenty-two
Two days passed by very quickly. Angela was glad that her dad bought her a brand new red Ford Fusion, her favourite car. She wouldn't have to take the bus everytime. She already had learnt driving at her grandma's house in California. Her dad got her a learning license and she was ready for college.
On her first day of college an excited Angela was ready to leave earlier than usual. She walked out to her car to drive herself to the campus.
"Do you want me to drive you?" Asked Adam with concern.
"No. I've grown up. I'll drive and go all by myself. I don't need any of you to drop me," she declared. Her brothers and dad stood at the doorstep of their house with worried expressions on their faces.
"Are you sure, Angie?" Asked Arnold.
"Yes, please, go to work. I'm going on my own," she stated at them.
They stared at her incredulously, not believing that she'd grown up. "Please dad," she complained.
Her dad sighed and looked at the boys. "Let her go on her own," he said with another sigh. Her brothers sighed and turned to go away.
"If anyone bothers you, call us. And keep your phone on all the time, " ordered Alex. Angela nodded and started her car, eager to escape.
She drove away but right in front of Damian's house, saw him starting his silver Lexus LS. He grinned seeing her and she ignored him and drove away.
Reaching the campus in ten minutes. She parked her car and walked to the administrative office to get her stuff. She met Freddie on her way.
"Hey Angela? You're studying here?" He asked with a grin, excited to see her.
"Yes, architecture and you?" She answered.
"Finance, " he replied. They collected their schedules. "Great then. We can hang out whenever we're free."
"Yes, sure," said Angela. They dispersed towards their respective buildings.
The first class would start in fifteen minutes and she had ample time to relax and find her classroom. She checked her schedule and saw that her first class was to be held in the Goldberg Hall building, classroom number 11. So she headed towards it. She found her classroom and walked inside. There were only two students sitting at the back. She sat down on one of the front seats and took out the contents of the packet that she had received from the administrative office. Apart from her schedule, it contained other important stuff like fee payment details, identity card, rules and regulations, program and curriculum details, list of books to be followed.
She took out the list and read them. One by one all the students started pouring in. Only five minutes were left for the class to start. A tall girl with spectacles came to sit with her. She smiled at Angela and Angela smiled back at her.
A middle-aged professor with a bulging belly strode into the class. As he was about to introduce himself, the door flew open and Xavion and Damian walked into the class. Angela froze with horror. Were they too studying architecture with her in this university? Oh no!
It seemed that Damian knew that she was here. His eyes scanned the whole class. Angela tried to hide behind some students but he saw her and smirked. Angela rolled her eyes. They sat near the door, at the only seats available.
"Good morning class. I'm professor Bailey and I would be teaching you Architectural Design. We will start with the introductions. I want each of you to introduce yourself and say a single line about yourself," the professor said and the whole class groaned.
"Why? I can't describe myself in a single sentence," said the girl sitting beside her.
"I know, this is ridiculous, " agreed Angela.
"Quiet class. We'll start from the back. You, yes you. Stand up please and introduce yourself," said Professor Bailey, pointing at a lazy looking boy with streaked longish hair, and low riding denims.
He started introducing himself, followed by all the students, one by one. Damian too introduced himself but what got her was his sentence,"I've found my essence of life and I'm determined to pursue," he said with a glance towards her. She knew what he meant but the professor was bowled over by his declaration. He concluded that the student meant architecture and he made the whole class clap for him.
Xavion was unstoppable when he started, "Morning everyone, I'm Xavion Alexander. I'm a whole package, brave, confident, determined, hardworking, ambitious, unstoppable, loving, caring, kind, helpful, focussed, friendly.... " professor Bailey interrupted him with a distressed tone. "We've all got the idea, Xavion. Thanks for the detailed introduction. "
When it was Angela's turn, she said with confidence,"Hello everyone. Good morning sir, I'm Angela Saunders. I feel that some choices are final and I shall strive hard and stick to it," she said with a discreet glance towards Damian.
"Very good Angela. I'm sure you will not repent your choice of choosing architecture, " he said. "A huge round of applause for Angela. Do me proud young woman." Few clapped while those who were insulted by the professor snickered at his comment.
"Yes sir, " she said. The introductions were over and the professor started teaching. Her eyes met with Damian's many times although she tried her best to ignore him. He was so interested in agriculture. Why did he choose architecture instead? Was it because of her?
The door suddenly opened and a delicate girl with ivory skin and long silky blonde hair peeped into the class with a scared expression on her face.
"S sir please may I come in?" She stammered, nervously.
"The class is about to end, you're coming in now?" professor Bailey yelled at her and she cowered. The whole class laughed at her but Angela felt bad for her.
"I'm sorry sir, please can I come in?" She pleaded, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Come in and show me your identity card. What's your name?" he asked and she went up to him and looked into her envelope.
"Juliette Meyers, sir,'' she answered, frantically searching for her identity card inside her bag.
"So Miss Meyers, you don't have an identity card? Very responsible," said the professor, sarcastically and the whole class again laughed, but Angela didn't. Her heart went out to the girl.
"Get out of my class." Professor Bailey yelled and Juliette turned and ran out with tears streaming down her face. Angela wanted to go after her to comfort her. She didn't know why professor Bailey had to insult her.
Angela noticed that on her way out, she glanced at Xavion before she ran out of the class. She didn't understand why Xavion stood up looking guilty and worked up. He looked like he could die of guilt.
"Sir, can I please go freshen up," he said and Bailey stared at him with a disgusted look.
"Are you sure that's what you're going for? You could run after her after my class, son," said the professor and the class chuckled.
Xavion sat down disappointed with his situation. The next ten minutes he was fidgety and restless. Angela was curious. She'd never seen Xavion this way. Professor Bailey left them a few minutes early and Xavion rushed out although Damian kept calling him. Xavion had found his match in Juliette Meyers, that was for sure.
Angela tried to avoid Damian and get out of the class but he stood at the door with a smirk on his face. She tried to avoid him and go out with Molly, the girl who sat with her, but was it easy to avoid Damian? Not at all.
"I won't leave you alone, Angel. Mind you," he threatened into her ears before walking off.
"Do you know him?" Asked Molly with interest.
"Yes, he's my neighbour, " she sighed.
"Is he in love with you?" Asked Molly suddenly and Angela gaped at her. Was it so obvious?
"Oh no no. Nothing like that," she smiled a fake smile.
"You guys have amazing chemistry, you know," she said cheekily and Angela's jaws dropped more.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said with her cheeks flushed. Molly laughed out loud.
"Ok, let's drop it. Just call me to your wedding, ok?" She said and Angela blushed more. The next class was about to start and they walked in. Molly found an old school friend of hers who had missed the first class. She walked over to him while Angela searched for a seat for herself.
She saw Juliette sitting alone with a downcast face. She wanted to make friends with her and comfort her. So she approached Juliette. Juliette looked up at her with surprise. Angela smiled at her.
"Hi, I'm Angela Saunders, can I sit with you?" She asked.
Juliette smiled back,"I'm Juliette Meyers. Yes please," she said, shifting to make room for her. Angela was glad that she was friendly and approachable. She was shy and looked like she was new to Austin.
Could they have a bond of true friendship between them? Angela wanted to know the girl and be her friend.