Chapter 3- Unexpected

Mitchum's Point of View;

I had recalled Presley telling me that if I invited anyone over I should tell them that we are still unpacking. But when I opened the door I was not expecting the apartment to be fully furnished. It was completely transformed with almost goldish curtains and frosted glass-framed posters on the wall. Granted it did give the place a warm and homey feel. What was more shocking is that all the boxes that were here in the morning were no longer in the living room.

Presley was sitting on the couch that was now protected by a clear plastic covering with his laptop. He had his large purple headphones on and was reading something in a blue notebook. He was also wearing a PJs that had written in black on it I (heart) Carmen Sandiego. It was a red shirt and black pants to match. I never dared to tell him the truth about how I came about to give him that. My mom had ordered that online for a gift to my cousin, Teisha. It was for her to go to camp as a counselor for the first time. I had ordered a book he said he wanted and they both came on the same day. Somehow the presents got switched and by the time we figured it out it was too late. The bright side was neither of them ever complained about what they had gotten. Teisha still tells Mom that was the best book she's ever read.

Presley's black hair and light complexion contrasted with the mix of color shades used on the couch itself. The printer was at work making copies of something. You would think after all the years I've known him, I'd stop getting surprised when he does things like this. He may not have heard us come in so I waved my hand that held the tray in front of him to get his attention. Then on noticing me, he took off his headphones as I was now close to him. As I continued to look around the apartment and set the tray down on the table I said to him, "Well you sure were busy when while I was gone."

"Oh hi Mitchum, glad you're back. Yeah, I finished decorating the apartment. Two older students helped me bring all of my stuff in when the driver came. I don't even know how they knew it was me he was coming to. But I really appreciated the help cause I was able to put the place together twice as fast since I didn't have to carry up all the boxes by myself. I had extra cookies and snacks but now they're all gone cause I had to pay them back with something. But anyway, what do you think?" He was casual with it as he stood up from the couch.

Well, I think I had a pretty good idea of how they figured out he needed help. But really what could he of expected me to say? Considering the fact that he probably unpacked and decorated it by himself was amazing all I can say is, "I like it, it's really nice."

"This is what you guys call 'still unpacking'?" was the voice of Gail coming from behind me. Both Presley and I now looked at her and he asked me "Who's this?"

I was so stunned by the apartment that I forgot that Gail was with me until she spoke. I introduced her to Presley and they started talking while I walked through the apartment. I was impressed at how he accomplished so much in just a matter of a few hours. This energy must have come from the coffee. But at least he used it for something productive this time. I'd hate to have a recurrence of what happened when he was fifteen.

I came back to the living room where they were. Then I heard Gail asking him for advice on how she could remake her apartment. I looked at the small table that was in front of us and found the copies he made. They were both mine and his class schedules. They were separately stapled together with our names on them. They even outlined the quickest routes to the classes. There were two copies each of mine and his. It confused me why he printed so many of them. I held it up to get his attention and asked, "Really?"

"Yes Really." He replied coming over to me

"Well, why do I need two of the same thing?" I asked as I put it back down on the table.

Presley then proceeded to explain to me in a tone that implied that it should be obvious saying, "The first one is for you to carry in your bag for class at all times, the other is for you to stick on your room wall. I also suggest that you take pictures of it on your phone."

I was going to protest that doing all of that was unnecessary but Gail spoke first. "That's a really good idea."

Well, there was no point in arguing now. I was now outnumbered two-to-one. But it seemed like Presley's first day in college had completely changed his behavior. Or maybe I'm just now noticing these quirks. The coffee should have worn off by now. As I was trying to make sense of things the conversation between them continued when Gail asked him about his major and he answered, "My major is in Aerospace engineering."

She looked impressed and said, "Wow, so you want to be an astronaut?"

Presley seemed caught off guard by that question and kind of hesitated in answering. His gaze wandered to a wall as if it had the words he had to say written on it, "Not really, I.... I just like the subject and what's yours?"

"Computer science is my minor, well I have to go now but thanks for the tips, I will keep them in mind. Bye" Her eyes then fell to her feet again and she left immediately almost like she was afraid to be questioned anymore.

She probably only told me her major because I told her I was doing English literature as a minor earlier today. But why would she be so embarrassed by what she is studying? It's not like students here will ostracise her for it.

It is true that this school mainly focuses on science. But that's no reason for her to behave like she's done something wrong. Then again she's been doing that all day. She would tell others about her minor and either change the subject or like in this case run away. Even when she was telling me she never once made any eye contact.

Presley looked a little confused as he turned to me and said, "Well that was strange, she told me her minor but not her major and then left. Do you think the lavender-scented air freshener I installed to spray once every hour was too much for her?"

Only he would jump to a conclusion like that, I guess he is still the same old Presley. "No dude, she just has a tendency of doing that. I'll tell you later, now I'm going to see what I can rustle up for dinner."

As I was walking towards the kitchen he followed behind me saying, "No need, I have a pizza in the oven."

That was a strange thing for him to do to an ordered pizza. "Wasn't it warm enough when it was delivered?"

I had stopped mid-way to the kitchen to ask and he had passed by me and said, "Well I didn't order it, I'm baking it myself."

I started talking to make sure I heard him properly which made him stop momentarily as I tried to ask, "Wait a minute; when did you learn to-"

I heard a dinging noise in the kitchen that cut me off mid-sentence. Then Presley rushed off in its direction as I heard him mutter, "The times up."

I went in after him even though I knew his concentration was no longer on me. I knew I had to at least help him in taking it out of the oven. I can't let him do everything himself, "I don't know what's gotten into you but it's really beginning to make me look like I'm the slob out of the two of us."