Today, I take my time. I gather my books slowly, tucking each one into my bag with deliberate care. I straighten my papers, align my pencils. Students stream over toward the door, a blur of movement and chatter. I remain seated, a still point in the chaos.
Only when the room has nearly emptied do I finally stand, slinging my bag over my shoulder while hoping not to run into anyone in the halls before my next lecture.
Luckily my second lecture is mostly an Omega class so I am given some reprieve before Chemistry 101, but freedom is just an illusion in this place. My next destination has my stomach twisting in knots because it’s the only place to get food, since now I can’t even grab whatever scraps I manage to find back home. My stomach growls, a traitor demanding I face whatever awaits b
