Chapter 2
805 Words
Toronto. Finally. Meredith had only visited Toronto on her sixth birthday. Being back seventeen years later meant remembering nothing. A terrible way to go to school, she always reminded herself.
“Where to, Miss?” the driver asked as soon as she got into the taxi.
“University Avenue.”
“Great. Are you new here?”
“Yes, I am.”
“You’re going to love it here. Welcome to Toronto.”
Meredith smiled and looked out the window. Her mind went back to her father, Michael. For the first time, she was going to be away from Michael, and it bothered her. She had been his backbone since the death of her mother. She was worried about him going back to his drinking habits.
“We are here, Miss.”
“Can you wait here for a second?”
The driver nodded and Meredith went out of the car. She checked the details on her phone before walking to one of the apartments. A short man opened the door after she knocked twice.
“Good afternoon, Miss. How can I help you?”
“I am looking for Mr. Joseph—“
“This is he.”
“Oh… my name is Meredith Adams. I believe you rented out an apartment to Mr. Adams from Vancouver.”
“Of course, I did. You’re his daughter?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Okay. Give me a second and I’ll grab your keys.” The short man went back in and came out less than a minute later.
Meredith, with the help of the taxi driver, dragged her luggage in the apartment. It was small, but she liked it. “Good enough for one,” Joseph had said.
The apartment had a study desk, a small couch, a kitchen space, a bedroom and a bathroom. She organized her belongings, took a shower, and prepared something to eat before heading to sleep.
******
Meredith woke up at 6AM. The first day of class was always a big deal for her. Not only because she loved school, but also that she was always anxious and nervous about it. She quickly took a warm shower, wore a blue flared dress, white sneakers and put her long black hair in a ponytail. Her anxiety never allowed her appetite, but she grabbed an apple to make sure she stayed alive. She double-checked how she looked in the mirror before she stepped out.
Toronto University was actually bigger than she thought. Looking around carefully, she walked through the hall, making sure to read the tags on the doors. A few students stared at her. She felt like everyone knew she was new.
Lecture Theatre 102. Meredith cleared her throat before walking in to find only a few students had arrived. She walked to the middle of the class and sat down. Being early wasn’t a problem for her. What she hated was walking in while everyone was already there.
“Excuse me, may I sit next to you?”
She turned to look at a tall Scottish man smiling down at her.
“Of course,” Meredith returned the smile.
The man thanked her and sat next to her, setting his bag down. He cleared his throat.
“Mike Thompson.”
“Meredith Adams.”
“What is your major?”
“Master of Business Administration.”
“Same,” he smiled. She liked his smile. “Maybe we could study together some time and share notes.”
“Sure.”
“Your first time here?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Where are you from?”
“Vancouver---“
“The professor is here.”
“Good morning class,” a baritone called from the front of the class. Upon seeing the professor, Meredith turned white.
“I am Professor William Hudson, and I will be taking you in strategic marketing,” William’s eyes scanned his students' faces, being sure to notice everyone. Meredith felt his eyes meet hers, and move to the next student with no sign of recognition.
William cleared his throat, “before we get into lessons, I would like to make certain things known. Firstly, I do not attend to students on the weekend.” A good number of students laughed. “I expect your thesis proposals to be presented to me starting next month till September.”
“He’s my favorite professor," Mike whispered to Meredith. “The moment I saw on the course outline that he would take us in strategic marketing, I was already excited about class. Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Meredith hesitated. Mike looked at her for some time before turning his attention to the professor. Without hesitation, Meredith got her phone and checked her course outline, something she would have done before heading to school.
- Writer
