Chapter 29
When Andrea enrolled for a second term at the University, she decided this time around to live in a place of her own. Dorm life was a bit too noisy and interactive for her loner nature. She got on the computer and searched for nearby places to rent.
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The place she found was a 1 bedroom, 1 bath home with tons of yard space AND a place to park a car! That she was especially excited about since she found a killer deal on a used car during the summer.
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The views outside the home were definitely a plus with access to a walking park.
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Yes, Andrea was truly looking forward to what this next school year would bring. However, first things first. She decided to text Daniel and let him know she was back in town, as well as Professor Rogers and even Stephen Brackney.
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Mostly she was looking forward to seeing Daniel and patching things up with him. She heard back from Professor Rodgers and Stephen fairly quickly, but nothing from Daniel. She couldn't blame him. It still pained her to think about the way she left things with him. The Meet and Greet at the Student Union Building would be starting soon so off she went.
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PLEASE let me hear back from Daniel while I am there, she thought in a begging tone.
The Meet and Greet this time around was no different than it was last year. There was still the table full of freebies with the cheap kicky bags and frisbees and the horribly, rotten tasting Crunchy Nougat Surprise candy bars. The Soda's, however, weren't half bad. Andrea decided to grab a soda and a candy bar, hoping that maybe they changed brands.
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At the other table near the entrance, she met one of her medical professors and somehow forgot her name almost instantly when she is usually pretty good with remembering names. She blamed it on the majority of her thoughts being elsewhere.
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Ugh, I can't get Daniel out of my head! I MUST speak with him before classes start or I'll NEVER be able to study and concentrate!
Upstairs was where all the conversing was going on. People were playing ping pong, foosball and arcade games. Andrea decided once again to pull herself out of her comfort zone and go around introducing herself to strangers. She would have to get used to that after all with the profession she was pursuing. Many of the people seemed nice, except for the school mascot. She expressed to Andrea that she was in a bad mood over something political and didn't hesitate to get herself up to a pulpit and shout out her views.
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With three other people watching and listening, Andrea couldn't help but chuckle and think how silly the mascot looked up there. She might have been more interested to hear her point of view if she wasn't wearing that distracting costume. Pretty soon the mascot's constant rambling got boring, so Andrea slipped her way into the Science room where they had some pretty high tech machines students could use to research science specimens. She smiled while eye-balling the machines. They were just SO cool!
She noticed a young woman, the only other person in there, intensely studying a certain specimen. Andrea recognized her in passing between classes last year and decided to introduce herself. I bet we have a lot in common, she thought. The young woman happened to notice Andrea coming towards her while looking up from the microscope. "Hello," she kindly greeted to Andrea.
"Hi," Andrea said. "It looks like you've got yourself a pretty interesting specimen there."
"Oh yes!" the girl responded, "Do you like studying these things too?"
"I sure do!"
"Cool! Let me tell you about it and you can check it out too."
"Awesome!"
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After a few minutes of discussing and viewing science specimens, Andrea said, "I'm sorry to change the subject, but what was your name again? I know I've seen you here before."
The young lady smacked the palm of her hand on her forehead and said, "Oh yes, sorry," she chuckled. "my name is Manisha Kapoor. I am a Science major as you can tell."
She and Andrea shook hands.
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"I'm Andrea Holland," Andrea said, "It's been nice meeting you. I'm a Medical major."
"Oh wow!" Manisha admired, "that's awesome! I bet you never get the chance to stop and have some fun now do you?" She winked.
"Not really," Andrea replied, "but I do manage to get out every once in a while."
"We should totally hang out sometime!"
"Absolutely! I would like that."
**************
After the Meet and Greet, Andrea drove home with a smile on her face. She felt proud of herself for going out of her way to talk to a stranger and make a new friend out of it. It gave her hope that she could be more social with strangers in the future without being shy. It was nearing 5 pm as she entered her home and checked her phone once again to see if there was a text back from Daniel. Nothing. With feelings of disappointment and lowered shoulders she said out loud, "I am going to have to call him." Then she began dialing. "I can't keep feeling this way with classes starting tomorrow, I just CAN'T!"
While listening to the phone ringing on the other end for a few seconds there came a, "Hello?"
"Daniel!" Andrea nearly cried with her heart skipping a beat, "It's Andrea Holland."
There was a pause.
Scratching the back of her head Andrea continued.
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"Hey, umm...I was wondering. Would you like to come over tonight and we can catch up? I learned some new art tricks over the summer and I would love to--"
"I'm sorry Andrea, but I don't feel like coming over right now," Daniel interrupted.
"Okay," Andrea said, feeling a sinking in her chest, "I hope you are feeling alright?"
"I'm fine it's just that, tonight isn't a good time."
She could tell by the tone of his voice that he wasn't very happy to be on the phone with her. It was now or never. "Daniel," she said somberly, "I'm very sorry about the way I treated you last year and how I left our friendship. I can't imagine how hurtful that was. I really want to make it up to you and show you that I still care about you and our friendship. Please, please come by?"
There was once again a silence and then Daniel said, "I appreciate that Andrea, but like I said tonight's not good for me. Maybe some other time?"
"Yes!" Andrea replied immediately, "Definitely! I look forward to it."
"Alright, goodbye Andrea." Then just like that Daniel hung up.
Andrea lowered her phone with a blank face expression. She couldn't tell if that conversation was a good one or a lost cause. Also she couldn't figure out if he left the ball in her court or not. Maybe I should just wait for him to contact me, she thought, I already made the effort to repair our friendship and if he really wants to be friends again, he will take the next step. If not, then I know I've ruined it. Sadly she stepped into her bedroom. At least I can't say I didn't try...
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The next morning began the first week of the semester. Andrea felt excited, but still sad from the night before. So, she went out for a morning jog to clear her mind and mentally prepare herself for school.
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It was always nice to find an uncut gemstone on a walk. Maybe this is a good luck charm?
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The sun and fresh air was definitely what she needed. She felt rejuvenated and ready to take on the day! After her shower she got dressed and did herself up a little bit.
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Then she grabbed her heavy backpack and confidently went off to class.
The two classes of the day definitely got her back into medical and studying modes. She couldn't believe that after this year she would graduate and start her internship! Each day I am that much closer to fulfilling my dream, she thought with a smile. It was exciting to think about getting away from the college life and starting her life again exactly the way she always wanted to. No longer will I have to worry about studying, classes, being in large crowds, patching things up with a friend or setting the record straight with one of my professors...WAIT a minute! She cried in her head. Why didn't I see Professor Rogers today? Oh man, that is the other issue I really have to set right if I am going to concentrate on my studies this year!
Shaking her head and thinking that drama wasn't just a high school thing, she heard her text message ringtone and reached in her pocket for her phone. It was a text from Robert Richards, from the frat house, inviting her to his juice kegger party tonight. Not one of those again, she thought looking up at the sky, but then she had another thought. Maybe Professor Rogers will be there and I can fix the issue with him! As long as I DON'T have anything to drink beforehand! I wonder if Daniel might show up there too. Sighing, she texted back to Robert: I will be there.
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The juice kegger party started at 7 pm. While noticing she was practically the only one there once she arrived, Andrea checked her watch again to make sure she hadn't come early. Nope. In fact it was ten minutes after. There was another man standing on the porch who she didn't recognize as Robert, but figured that obviously he was another member of the frat house. As she approached him, she held out her hand and introduced herself.
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"Please come in!" the man, whose name was Jeffrey Dean, said, opening the front door for her.
Okay, Andrea thought, why has he not mentioned the party or Robert?
As they entered into the foyer Andrea asked Jeffrey, "Where is Robert and where are all the other party guests?"
Turning to her, Jeffrey replied, "Yeah, about that." He looked away and scratched the back of his head.
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"There...isn't going to be a party tonight," he said.
What!? "Why not?"
Chuckling and rocking on his heels, Jeffrey answered, "Robert and some of his buddies got arrested a few minutes ago."
Andrea's eyes widened. "Oh really?" she asked.
"Yeah, they pulled a few pranks last night and got caught. Just as the party started the police showed up and anyone who was coming saw the cop car and drove off."
"I see," Andrea said. Looking around she could sense that Jeffrey and her were the only ones there and...she wasn't about to stick around alone with him. "Well," she said, "it was nice to have finally met you Jeffrey. You're quite popular around here."
Jeffrey smiled confidently and placed his hands on his hips. "Yeah, I like to go out of my way and make friends with ALL the women here."
"Uh huh," Andrea said. Someone sure thinks they are a stud! "Well, I have to get going then," she said, spinning on her heel and reaching for the door handle, "I've got lots of studying to do. Have a good night!"
***************
The next morning was the medical lecture class and Andrea was honestly surprised to see that she and one other student were the only ones there!
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Boy, she thought, does this professor have a history of being REALLY boring? It turned out that she wasn't one with a monotone, boring voice, but one with a high pitched, mellow voice. Andrea and the other student would occasionally glance at each other whenever there was a squeak in the woman's voice and chuckle under their breath.
After that class it seemed like Andrea had to get used to hearing normal voices again. Today she packed a lunch and had herself a little picnic near the University Quad. How she enjoyed solitude.
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It was during that time alone that she decided she would have to seek Professor Rogers out to set the record straight with him. When she cleaned up her picnic area, she walked over to the Quad and asked a few students if they knew where Professor Rogers lived. One did and pointed her in the right direction. With no other classes going on for the day, Andrea got into her car and drove right over to the home they called the "Professor's House."
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When she arrived, she noticed a car parked out front and hoped that it was Professor Rogers. I just have to get this DONE and over with! she thought. The determination was there, yet her flesh was still hesitant. Before she even reached the front steps, she saw Professor Rogers walk out and lock the door behind him. That made her freeze in her tracks. As Lewis made his way down the steps, still not noticing her, Andrea somehow found a way to speak.
"Professor Rogers?"
Lewis jumped for a second and turned to face Andrea. "Geez," he said, placing his hand over his heart, "you scared me."
"I'm sorry."
Lewis stepped closer and held his hand out to Andrea. "It's nice to see you again Miss Holland. What can I do for you?"
Shaking his hand in return, Andrea replied, "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."
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"Alright," Lewis said putting his hands behind his back, "what is it?"
This is SO awkward! Andrea tried to keep herself from blushing as she struggled to find the right words to begin this conversation. The longer the silence grew, the more uncomfortable the both of them began to feel.
"Are you alright?" Lewis asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes," Andrea blurted out, "Yes, I'm fine."
Lewis smiled and still waited for her to begin.
With a gulp, Andrea began, "Professor. I wanted to talk with you about the incident that happened between us last year."
"Incident?" Lewis asked curiously.
"Well," Andrea began, "you know, when we both attended a juice kegger party and you helped me do a keg stand after everyone was cheering me on to do it?"
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Lewis thought for a moment and remembered. "Oh yes!" he said, but then his face fell.
"Yeah," Andrea continued, "well, I don't really remember much of what happened after that, but...I awoke that night to this vivid picture in my mind of us...kissing."
Lewis's cheeks turned red as he stared at her.
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Andrea gulped again. "Ever since that happened...I've been trying so hard to get myself to come and talk with you about it because...I wanted you to know that...it didn't mean anything."
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Lewis scratched the back of his head. "Yeeeah," he said, "I do remember that."
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"I'm so sorry if I led you on," Andrea said sincerely. "I just--"
"No, it's alright," Lewis interrupted. "We were both drunk, you know. Those things happen."
Andrea's heart was racing a million times a minute. "Yeah," she said, "so...no feelings between us?"
"No," Lewis answered blankly. "None at all."
Feeling he was telling the truth Andrea asked, "So...we are okay then?"
"Absolutely."
Andrea let out a breath of relief and she noticed that Lewis did as well. "Thank you professor," she said with a smile.
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Lewis nodded and shook her hand again. "Glad we could get this worked out," he said.
"Yeah," Andrea said.
"Good day to you Miss Holland." Then he turned toward his car.
"Same to you, Professor Rogers."
After Lewis's car disappeared down the road, Andrea still stood in the yard thankful that that burden was finally lifted off her shoulders. However, her smile disappeared as she still continued to feel the weight of the other burden: Daniel. It was SO hard not to wonder if he would ever talk to her again.
To be continued....
:)
