Rose Petals Vol1

The University, SCAD

Shiho and Maya attended the same college. Both decided to only take a few short courses. Maya wanted to concentrate on the agencies she collected and didn’t want anything getting in the way of auditions. She was only going to college for the sake of easing her father’s mind.

“Education is the key to life!” Mr. Singh was hoping that she would do something in socialism or economics. He knew that she would never pursue the medical field, for she was afraid of needles, and the sight of blood, especially her own, would make her faint. Her sense of smell was delicate. She would start gagging at anything that had even a slight stench. She was such a fragile creature to him. He only wished that she had an older brother to protect her, or a younger sibling that she would gain strength to protect.

Shiho spent most of her time at one of her dad’s automobile locations. Sometimes she would dart back and forth between them. Learning the business, seeing over production and plans was not her idea of a career, but since she was the only child, it was her God-felt duty to keep the business going. She could demand any car she wanted, even one that had just rolled off the factory lot. It was for pure selfish reasons, being able to trade in any car she wanted at any time. She was a fanatic for foreign vintage cars, and only used the company cars to run errands.

It made both her parents happy and Mr. Tashibana was glad even if he didn’t have any sons that would be the heir to his company. If she had refused, his close friend and confidant son would also be a probable heir, someone that he also felt was good enough to marry his daughter.

Shiho still wanted something for herself. What it was she was unsure of. She decided to enroll in painting and photography classes, which Mrs. Tashibana encouraged her, since she was a world-known photographer. The problem was that she wasn’t artistic at all in anything and could not find her creative spark. The only thing Shiho was good at was seducing the opposite s*x and, of course, drinking. If only that could be some form of a legal career.

Ms. Tashibana visited many different parts of the world during her photography adventures. Her portfolio included pictures of exotic animals and exotic tribes. Especially from India and South America. That’s probably why she had mistaken Maya for being a poor, helpless orphan from Kolkata, when Shiho first brought her to their mansion. Seeing that she was ignorantly mistaken, because Maya was not only privileged by the way she spoke, but also her princess-like mannerisms, was a dead giveaway. The only thing that confused her was the way Maya dressed and Singh’s small mid-century house. She also found out that the girl had quite an appetite and Mrs Tashibana was almost “eating out of home.”

The enrollment line was long. They would have gotten there thirty minutes earlier but Shiho couldn’t decide on what shade of lipstick matched well with her black dress.

“It’s black! Any shade will do.”

“It’s easy for you to say, you're not high fashion at all. You dress like the “Walking dead'' and appearance doesn’t matter to you. I better change.”

It felt like another thirty minutes before she had made up her mind on a snuggly tight dress, with shoes to match. Even though they were just enrolling for classes, she intended on being the hottest girl there. She grabbed her light pink lipstick, smeared the top and bottom of her lips, blew a kiss at her reflection and walked out of the room.

They were at the end of the line with only one other person behind them, who seemed more restless than they were. He kept swinging his arms, smacking his gum, and sighing loudly, occasionally with a, “Ah come on,” or “Do you believe this?” He was so agitated that he eventually gave up his place in line and wandered off somewhere on the campus.

After an hour of endless fatigue and standing, the line was beginning to move quickly. Maya wondered if most of the classes were all taken, including pre-med. If she was too late for that, she would have to come up with plan b. Maybe she could major in world economics.

SMAD University is one of the best international schools in Tokyo. It has been around since the early 1800s and its initials stood for Science Medical Arts if you Dare. Obviously, the four founders were high on some kind of opium, who were both an Englishman, an American, a Dutchman and Japanese idealists.

There were only a few classes left. In order to be considered a part-time student, you are required to take no less than three classes, lunch being one of them. At first, the fore-fathers were trying to find ways to swindle more money from their pupils and made it a requirement that lunch be placed on the itinerary. They would provide students with a skimpy meal at a high price. The students and their families got hold of this scheme and protested that they shouldn’t be required to take lunch if they didn’t want to. A break was a break, but to make it a must have, to purchase from the school’s cafeteria was outrageous. They weren’t going to pay for lunch as a class requirement. Many came out with torches, pitchforks and katanas. The founders, both Englishman, American, Dutchman and Japanese, made an announcement declaring that, “Lunch is on us.”

There was only one pre-med class that had room for a few more students and it was Chemistry. She was not enthusiastic about it, since once she almost burned down her school laboratory. Maya signed her name and looked back at the list. There was only photography and drama left. She handed Shiho the photography list. “I guess, drama class it is.” Even though she wanted to be a star, she was particularly bad at acting. She had tried before during middle school, but froze from the look of the crowd and had completely forgotten her lines. Shiho hugged her and smiled.

“Maybe this will help you to open up when you're on stage.”

“I can open up in front of a crowd through music.”

It was true. During her last year in California, Maya (at a long distance, truth or dare, from Shiho) entered a singing competition and won. She completely captivated the audience and drew them to tears with a song she had written for her mother.

“Can you sign that quickly please, I’m in a hurry.”

Maya and Shiho turned around to see a tall, beautiful slender blonde figure.

“I’m sorry to rush you.”

Maya handed her the drama list.

“Can I see your pen? Thank you.”

She scribbled and signed her name, Naoko Mitchell.

“Thanks again.”

Handing Maya back her pen and the office clerk the list, she bowed and excused herself from the office. A split of seconds later, she peered back into the office.

“See you tomorrow in drama class.” She winked at Maya and hurriedly bowed to excuse herself once again.

“Looks like you just made a friend.”

“I guess. I hope everyone else is as friendly and outgoing as she is.”

Shiho tap Maya.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing like high school. You’ll fit in fine if....”

“If what?”

“You loosen up a bit and lose that righteous act.”

Maya stared at her blankly. “Who’s acting?” she thought to herself. She wanted to say something back and defend herself. She could feel the eyes of the other few students that were registering. She hated when Shiho would put her on the spot, knowing that she didn’t want to make a scene and wouldn’t address any issues in front of a group of strangers unless she was being bullied.