Anywhere But Home

{10} The blue-eyed trouble is back

Emily Roberts 

There is only one thing that I hate more than green beans and doing presentations. Mondays. I don't know about other people, but my body was not made to wake up this early. It's actually proved that classes should only start at ten. It's a fact. I swear I didn't make that up. But because my luck is close to zero, my first class today is Anatomy at nine in the morning which just makes it even greater. Like seriously, who the hell makes these schedules?

Passing through the thousands of lost students on the hallway, I found my way into the auditorium that for my surprise was almost empty. The teacher was also nowhere to be found, so I just made my way inside and choose a seat on the second row.

A few minutes later, the auditorium was full. Little groups were forming everywhere, which in some ways, reminded me of high school. The front row was occupied by the 'nerds', you know... the typical people that like to have good grades and to take note of every single word that the teacher says and the 'suckers' that like to seat in the front seats to try to buy their grades from the teacher with their cheesy fake cute personality.

Do you have that friend who just can't shut up in class for one minute? I had four of them standing right behind me talking and talking nonstop. Then we had the popular girls and the popular guys, sitting in the back, giggling and looking down on us, like they are some sort of superior kind. Standing in the middle of then, I saw Christopher's friends, that I still don't know the names. Well except for the blondie. That one I know.

I thought that maybe Jennifer would be here, but to my disappointment, she wasn't.

Suddenly the door shuts and we are brought to reality. Silent in stores all thought the room.

We heard heels echoing through the auditorium and I turned around to see who they belong. ''Good morning.'' I woman in her early fifties, greeted walking down the stairs to the front of the class. She placed her purse on top of the desk, opened it up and grabbed a pair of black glasses and placing them on her face. ''I said good morning.'' She repeated still without showing any emotions whatsoever.

''Good morning.'' All the students said in sync, except for me, because I was still trying to understand why everyone looked like they were frightened of this lady.

She stayed quiet for a moment, looking around the auditorium.

''My name is Anna Houghes and I will be your anatomy teacher for the next couple of years.'' The teacher said into the microphone that was placed on top of the podium that made her stand out. ''I'm a trauma surgeon at General Memorial for over twenty years now and I'm a professor at this university for ten years.'' She added with a serious expression as she scanned across the room. I'm telling you, we couldn't hear a fly in here. ''From all of the fifty-two people that are sitting in front of me today, only half of it will get their degree.'' She continued. ''Don't believe in everything you heard about me. The truth is much worse.''

She grabbed the microphone and started walking across the little improvised stage. ''I'm teaching and training you to help save other peoples lives. To make a difference.'' The only sound I was hearing was her heels and my heart racing. ''If you copy on my exams, I'll fail you. If you don't show up to my classes, I'll fail you. If you disrespect me or your classmates, I won't fail you. But believe me, you don't want to be on my dark list.'' She smiled sarcastically looking to the last row where the popular kids were sitting. ''I don't care if your dad is the president of the United States. If you don't follow my rules, you'll fail. I'll be damned if I put the lives of innocent people on the hands of unqualified people.''

Holy Jesus. Is it too late to change major?

''Now open up your books at page four please.'' She ordered walking back to her desk. We all did as she commanded and open up our Anatomy book on page four. I have a feeling this is going to be a long class.

***

The class went normally. I thought that the mood would be intense, but it was actually not that bad. I don't why the teachers always have to act all tough in the being on the year and once you get the chance to know them, they are actually enjoyable people. Just let us love you since the beginning. It's easier for you and for us. However I don't cheat and I normally don't miss classes, so I think I'll survive.

''Hey there! I'm been looking for you for ages!'' I turned around as I recognize Tori's voice coming from afar. ''I told you to text me! I still don't have your freaking number Emily.'' She added putting her books on top of the cafeteria table, taking a seat in front of me.

''I did.'' I simply said taking a bite at my chocolate croissant.

She grabbed my phone and started scrolling through it. I didn't mind because I don't have any secrets in there that she could find. ''You know... To actually send a message, you have to press the button that says 'send'. '' She blurted rolling her eyes, giggling after at me.

I didn't press send? Oh god.

I took my phone out of her hand and placed it on my purse. ''Well, it's a new phone and I'm still getting used to it.'' I justify myself knowing deep down that this was the crappiest excuse I had ever made. Thankfully, Tori just started laughing.

''How was class?'' She asked, opening her purse and taking from there a sandwich.

''Normal, I guess.'' I mumbled, my mouth full. ''Yours?''

''If I'm being honest, there was a moment where I thought that maybe I should change major.'' She told, taking the plastic out of her sandwich and placing it near her mouth. ''But then, my parent's voice appeared suddenly in my head, screaming 'I told you Victoria Olivia Gordon White. You should have followed our footsteps instead of wasting your time, in that environmental crap.' and then I decided, that I was good.'' She said, her lips forming a teasing smile, before taking a bite in her sandwich.

''Gosh, that bad?'' I inquired chuckling.

''Well, you know you're screwed, when the math from high school it's just the first fifty pages from the first volume.'' She sighed. ''And there are two more volumes.'' She added.

''If it makes you happier, I feel your pain.'' I muttered, feeling my head starting to hurt, as I think about the number of books I will have to read.

''You're right, it does. Thank you.'' She mocked making me toss at her the straw from my juice, which managed to catch.

Her smile suddenly dropped and her body strained up. ''What? '' I inquired looking at her.

''You got to be freaking kidding me.'' She mumbled with a hand over face, lowering her head. ''Oh my god ...'' She whined slightly pounding her head repeatedly on the table.

''What?'' I repeated my question, itching on my seat. I turned around but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. ''Can you telling me why are you freaking up?''

''It's Chad.'' She replied in a lower voice with her hands still covering her face. ''My ex.'' She added. Oh... she is having an ex problem. I wish I could say I understand, but that's not really my field. Never had one, don't think I'll ever will. ''I came here because I wanted to get away of all the people that I knew... and now... It looks like the whole freaking New York just came along with me!'' She shouted this time, gaining the attention of a few people standing near us.

''Tori, just calm down.'' I said looking around and giving an embarrassing smile. ''She is just having a bad day.'' I informed the people on the nearest table who were still looking at her.

She sighed. ''Can we just go...? The last thing I want right now it to talk to him.''

''Of course.'' We got up from the table, grabbed our books and headed to the exit of the cafeteria.

Walking on the hallway I had the urge to ask why didn't she want to talk to him. I had the urge to ask what happened between then to make her act like this. But I choose to stay quiet. If she wants to talk about it, she will.

''Look who we have here.'' We both jumped as we felt someone behind us. The same guy that was on the cafeteria was standing now in the middle of the other two guys in front of us. If I wasn't a little confused right now, I would actually stop to admire the good looking pieces of ass that I had in front of me, but when I felt Tori's hand squeezing my arm, I knew something was wrong.

''Isn't this fate...?'' The guy in the middle said with a mischievous smile crossed on his lips.

''What do you want Chad? '' Tori inquired. I could feel her hand shaking a little. So he is Chad? Well damn. Why was she afraid of him? Damn. Why didn't I asked what the hell was going on between them?

''Just want to talk to you.'' Chad said walking towards us.

''Well... I don't have anything to talk to you. So... goodbye.'' She said with a small smile turning around but we were fast blocked by the other two guys that somehow managed to get there without one of us seeing.

''Not so fast ...'' He said grabbing Tori's arm and leaning her abruptly on the wall. The other two guys blocked my way, so I couldn't reach her. Why is the hallway empty? Like, come on! Now I need people!

''Let her go you asshole.'' The words left my mouth without even thinking about them. ''She said she doesn't want to talk to you already.'' I added. Where did the sudden courage come from?

''Look... her pretty little cutie friend can talk.'' The guys cleared my way and Chad walked towards me, tossing my purse and books to the ground. ''This business is between Tori and me, so just shut the f**k up. Jason, Tom get her out of here.'' He said pushing me towards the other two making me fall on my feet. Asshole.

''The only one who is going to get the f**k out of here is you.'' My heart stopped. That English accent. I turned around and saw a pissed Christopher standing side by side with Brian who looked just as pissed at Chad. ''If you lay a finger on any of them, I promise that your friend's head will end up in your ass.'' Christopher warned bringing his hand into Chad's neck and tighten his grip around it. ''I thought you had learned your freaking lesson Chad. But it looks like I will have to kick your ass again.'' He finished what he was saying adding pressure making Chad's face turn red from the lack of air. The other two guys didn't move to help his friend so I intervened.

''Christopher, stop it.'' I begged walking to his side. His gaze was intense, almost as if he was enjoying making him suffer. ''Stop it!'' I yelled when I saw that the guy was almost dying in front of my own eyes and nobody was doing anything about it. He somehow listened to me and loosen up his grip.

Chad coughed frantically but still tried to keep his composure. ''This will end up really badly for you Smith. I hope you know that.'' He said grabbing his bag from the ground and massaging his throat with the other hand.