Prices and Patience

Chapter Two

There are two things that I do when I am nervous. Either I would begin twitching and squirming in my seat, or a terrible itch would take my skin over, like a nervous rash. Either two things happen to me right after that. I would either be angry or talk too much. The only problem is, as much as I would like no one to sit beside me on a bus, rarely anyone did it. Though when someone actually did, it makes me nervous, and somehow; I make them feel as though it's their worse mistake. Weirdly, I didn't pride myself on it, but for sure I knew this bag of nervousness was about to burst and the buff fellow that was sitting beside me is about to face something he never faced before.

There comes an enormous sigh at first and I could feel hotness seeping through my clothes. It was getting hot on the bus, and I began twitching. I started doing it extremely slow at first and taking quick breaths to calm myself but the hot air. The fact someone was sitting next to me really made my face-tinged pink all over but not in a good way. The bus reflection was bluntly showcasing it rather brightly. My elbow which was slightly touching the man beside me kept pulling it back only to have it itch me and so it began. The one thing that possibly humiliated me more was happening to me and I had nothing to do other than to let it happen and rub my hands to ease the itch. Some luck I have, I told myself ruefully.

The seat was a tight fit; he was muscular after all. The cakes were generating constant heat on my lap and my backpack suddenly felt too big for my side. God, I felt as though I was burning up.

"Are you alright?" said the man beside me. This time, for sure, I knew he was looking at me.

"Yes, I am fine. Sorry if I keep twitching." I said, still turned away from his sight. How is it I am so weird?

"It is okay. As much as I hate admitting it, it is getting undoubtedly hot in here." His voice was soft, with an accent unknown to me. It felt nice hearing him talk now, and finally granting myself the courage to look up to him. I soon realise he was wearing a mask.

"I will be off soon, so no worries." Could there be any more disappointment in my voice?

"No, I didn't mean it like that." He said, chuckling nervously. His eyes were crinkling.

"It really is fine with me. You don't need to apologize."

"You are quite a character. I must say, you judge people even without looking at them."

After knowing this would happen and to avoid confrontation, I stopped talking and I guess he got the hint. I am not sure which of us started steaming on the other, but I was sure as much as he was rude, I was, too. It was better to not talk and avoid conflict altogether. What could go wrong if I do that? I saw the college getting closer as I shook my legs nervously, just praying to get out of the bus.

It was a huge white building, with plenty of wide windows, and its natural aura of education circulated within the area. Whoever designed the place decided that reflective windows would look good as a front view of the school, and somehow, they pulled it off and it actually looked decent. The downside was, the glass was tinted, so you got to see the outside a little darker from the inside. I scolded myself that anything would be better than staying on the bus a little longer.

With a heavy sigh and a small excitement squeal, the bus came to a stop. I wanted to stand but the guy made not one motion to move out of the way. Oh, why me, I thought silently crying in my head.

"Excuse me, I'll be getting off now if you would let me pass." I said and gathered my bag and the cooling container that was patiently sitting on the seat. I could tell even they wanted to feel the cool air outside.

"Exercise a little patience. I can't get out unless the people from the back stop pushing. Sit down and wait." I noticed his voice held irritation. I wondered why but who am I to take on more troubles for myself. I stood grudgingly as I did not want to sit down beside him anymore. There were two more people making their way from the back of the bus and it ticked me off how slow they were walking.

Even though it was a little early most people are hurrying along to get ahead of the day. That means it can only be one thing to make university students rush about like this. It must be big news or there is going to big assignments given out today. I pray that it is big news and also big assignments.

If the schedule is as hectic as it was last semester, then surely getting prepared this morning would layer the foundation for the entirety of the semester. I passed the gate, flashed my student's ID to the security guard and rushed in. Upon getting to the office for my new schedule, I greeted two new faces and they both shared the same look I did when I first started. It was complete and utter confusion.

I sat down for a brief moment to gather my head and also read through the schedule. There were repeated subjects but most of my time would be studying to pass my English exams and Business projects. Then I noticed my favorite thing to do. It was my art and artist creations class. Of course, aiming for the highest possible marks to get, one can never be too careful since someone always makes a comeback.

"Excuse me, Lucy." Without looking up for sure I knew someone was in front of me. It was also a man. When I looked up, there was the principal.

"Good morning, Sir. How are you doing?" I said with a smile. As much as he was one scary being, he really was a good man, trying to get us to have bright futures. It is only my opinion and it seems logical too. Though I fear other students would disagree with me on a widescale.

"I am doing wonderful. I see you're already absorbing the new schedule. I take it you're doing well?"

"Yes, quite well. I only got here a few minutes and resting my feet. It has been a long morning." I said shaking my head and standing up to greet him properly.

"Well greet your parents for me and make sure to care for yourself too." Hearing him say this made me smile. He was always kind. I looked him, his hand neatly combed back on his head, white shirt and suit jacket, and matching pants. Neat and clean as always.

"I will. They would feel so lovely to hear from you."

"I wanted to ask if by chance you have time to show some new students around. Who knows, maybe even make some friends along the way?"

At the touchy subject of making friends the principal knew I have been having trouble with it since no one really shared my views and also likes. I was willing to adapt until I made a friend who only wanted to leech off me and my work. After that I have been skeptical of friendships, but okay with seeing others and how they behave with their friends.

"That won't be a problem. When can I meet them?"

As much as I was nervous about meeting new people and facing new challenges there are two things I won't ever do, disappoint my academic and extracurricular activities. I made sure to ask the teachers at the office if they have activities and need a helping hand, they are always welcome to ask me. They hardly ever use that option and would make their mission to get their work done themselves, but some ask now and then, and I do try my best to make it great for them.

"Turn around. This is Mika, and Juno." The way he said it I knew he must have had an agenda too. For as long as I know he aims to make his children better so the more friends he can push my way he finds it to be beneficial.

"Hi," I said in a voice completely unlike my own. This is so embarrassing, I thought.

"Lovely to meet you," the girl said in a tiny voice.

The boy's voice was a little deeper than he looked. He greeted me with the same soft voice and asked what would we do first. By this time, I have done this twice before so the first thing I do, I take them back outside.

"Alright, this is the front exit, I would advise that you don't take this door lunch morning and also at the end of the day. It is always too crowded." I said motioning to the double doors that is now closed shut.

They nodded and walked behind quietly. Looking around and showing them the places and the bulletin board so they can find new announcements. Realizing how big the school is and how much time we would waste, I asked them to pull out their schedule.

They had a lot of things to do, and seeing how we were already missing the first set of classes, we really need to catch up.

"Okay, for each class you have, thankfully, they are all named. If you're right here where we are, you need to walk down to the left hallway to find English, Business, and Science classes all in one wing." I showed them all marked rooms, and it would have its own doors to quickly identify the color patterns.

"What is at the left?" It was the girl again, she had been looking around, probably mentally tracking all that she could.

"The left is Social Studies, Mathematics, Arts and Artistic Creations, and Foods and Nutrition."

"That is only on this level, what happens upstairs?"

"Now those classes, they are all recreational and sporting. But they are only theory based, all others are done outside. Oh, and Art classes too, theory. They are regular classes. The only catch is, they always have a class."

They both laughed and I smiled too. This is going really well, I said to myself.

"Where do you go to study?" The boy said looking up at the ceiling and at the bulletin board. He still did not look at me.

"I study mostly at home which is really good for me, but there is a library that is open at all times, and I go there too when I have research."

"Do you mind if we join you sometimes? We could treat you to a meal as a way to thank you too." The boy said rather seriously. I tried really hard to remember his name but it slipped me.

"You don't have to do that. I have as much classes as you do, so we all need to work extra hard."

"You don't have many friends, do you?" he enquired giving me a once over. Finally, he looked at me, and I gasped. He was actually handsome. I wonder why he's looking shy.

"I don't have any friends but that is not something I brag about."

As I was about to continue, he stopped me and clearly stated, "You don't need to feel that way anymore. We will be your friends."

"It's not that I try to not have friends, it is just a giving and taking relationship. I rather not do it."

"Well, think about it like this, if you want anything from your parents, don't you get it? You are taking while your parents are giving."

"Point, well you sold me. I will see you guys at lunch. I am not big on fighting." I said in a wry tone.

They both smiled and finally I remembered. I still could not remember their names.

"Do you mind if I ask you guys something?" I said awkwardly again and squirm on my toes.

"Sure, what is it?" The boy said shifting on his foot, and playing with his hair now.

"I don't remember your names."

"Well, that is alright. I am Mika, and this is Juno. They are not the best names but we did not choose them." Said the girl whom I know now as Mika.

At this I giggled. She really was funny. As I begin to walk away, bidding them farewell and good luck, I turned around quickly.

"I am Lucy," I said quickly, now looking at them as they did not move just looking as I go.

"We know," they said together. Creepy, I thought.