The Blood's Elegance

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

THE ORIENTATION

Nothing was more exciting for a student like me than taking the tertiary level education. College meant new experiences, another lessons, and less limitations. Like today, we were required to attend the Orientation. The principal already told me about this, but they still sent me a mail about it the day before yesterday.

Since it was not that cold, but the breeze makes me shiver, I wore brown long sleeves pullover sweater, black skinny jeans, and my flats. I took my brown leather bag to complete the outfit. I drove my car, not entirely mine but my mom’s, to the gate of the university. The students were pulling their car over the parking lot. It was difficult to find a space to park my car, so I had to take the parking lot behind the building in the middle. I grunted. Luckily, there was one spot left. I looked straight ahead, seeing the newly appeared car. I stepped on my gas and applied my skills from what I learned in driving in the city and watching the drag racing. It was so fast that I can barely remember what happened. It seemed like a five-second race to death— to the parking lot rather. I glanced at the car and smirked although the driver, for sure, cannot see me because of the heavily tinted windshield and door windows. Nevertheless, I was the winner. Ha, take that, loser! He backed out and left. My day started good. I was anticipating that the Orientation would not stress me out.

Orientations were, needless to say, boring. An hour talk of what to expect in their institution. There was no way to make the day better just by sitting there the whole time, listening to the host, and watching the presentation prepared. Mostly were about the academic ranking, the events to be held in the academic year, and our duties as a student. Also, about the rules of what we should obey and what we should not defy which most of the times, I do not give a care because I still disobey them. Not that it was bad. It would only become bad if they find out what you did. So, a tip: Do not get caught. Or you can let yourself be caught by a teacher or a professor, any personnel from the school, or the guidance counsellor and dean themselves if you were brave enough. Just say “Sorry, I will not do it again.” Show them your most pitiful eyes, I meant the puppy eyes, and the fake tears, too. Add the quivering lips and the pale face. That’s how you should do it. Ask forgiveness, so you can do the same mistake again, and when that happens the next time, you will understand that the word ‘sorry’ cannot always compensate for your wrongdoings. It was one of the things I learned from the Orientation because it was our Counsellor who spoke during my high school program. Orientation might seem boring, but it was important. If not, I would have not know that once I failed the major subjects in this course, I cannot retake this again. The summer class could make up for the minors, but if I failed this course, I will have the choice to shift to another course related to my previous one.

I hopped off my car and examined the surrounding. I was behind the building for the college students, but the Orientation will occur at the Multipurpose Hall, on the fifth floor of the A.E.R. building, and possibly, the elevators were already occupied. I sighed. I took the right way, to the building based from what I can remember. The students were a lot as I expected, and they all seemed from a middle class or rich family. I felt someone staring at me. I tried to found where it was and saw a man scrutinizing me with his blank eyes. He did not look away, so I figured out that his gaze was on the emptiness and not on me.

I walked towards the A.E.R. building with other students. Since I was right on the thought that the elevator would be filled by younger than me, I decided to take the stairs. I felt the eyes, but I shrugged it off. The Orientation was just about to start. They were testing the microphone. The hosts were joking with each other, laughing on the stage. I sat at the back and hugged my bag. In a few minutes, ladies and gentlemen proceeded to the empty seats. The event started with the background of the university. The events, programs, and concerts to be anticipated in the school. They explained why it was a good choice to study here, and also showed the activities done by every courses. Since engineering and architecture were the main focus of this school, they showed us the rankings of their students in the exams. Some fortunately belonged to the topnotchers.

“And today, the main highlight of this orientation, what Imperial University is famous for, you can now leave and go to the places assigned to you in the gymnasium according to your courses. Always remember, students: Take the brighter and clearer path, but don’t be blinded by the light. Goodluck in your new adventure!”

They stood up, so did I. I thought I would be boring, but then, now that I found out that we were going to the gym, my blood felt alive as if it did not want to sleep earlier while listening to the speaker.

“What’s with the smile?”

“Oh, my goodness!” I squealed. I hit Seth’s arms and realized that we were not closed friends for me to act such way towards him. “I’m sorry,” I immediately apologized.

He tapped my shoulder. “No big deal, but what’s with the smile?”

“Nothing, I’m just curious about how your gymnasium was like?”

We blended with the sea of people going to the direction of the gym.

“Do not expect too much. You might be disappointed when you see that our gym was not as good as the city gymnasium.”

“That’s for me to tell.”

The entrance was small, but my mouth gaped open upon entering their wide astonishing gymnasium. Impressive. Their yellow vinyl flooring reflected the white lights. It had two basketball courts. Ahead was the stage with red curtains. On the wall below the stage, the name of the school was written—Imperial University. It was bigger than the one in the arch and was more captivating. It would probably rubbed to the face of the losers, if ever city contests would be held here, the name of this institution. On the left and right side were the bleachers. Then, the windows. It was very overwhelming. I did not expect this countryside to have such a treasure. My old classmates would definitely love this athletic facility. My eyes was glued to the double door near the stage.

“What was that for?”

“That was the way to the basement.”

Basement? Wow, what more does it not have?

“The basement contained the lockers for the instructors and students and the stockroom. There were also classrooms to conduct the teaching,” he explained. “If you are wondering why the gymnasium is this big, it is because the events involving the nearby prefectures are usually hosted by our school. This is one of our prides.”

I nodded my head, still absorbing the fact that I am still studying in a prestigious school.

“What’s your program?”

“Business Management. What about you?” I asked.

“We are the same. Let’s go. They are there.” He pointed our schoolmates holding the banner that states the name of our program. They handed us a blue ribbon to tie on our arms. Seth helped me with mine, and I helped him to put it on his arms.

“I can see you are exactly forty-five today. If no one comes and leaves within five minutes, we will start the activity,” the lady with a blonde hair said. She’s in a round collar puff sleeve button down beige dress. Beside her was a man wearing glasses with a black frame and a black polo. There were two other people, a man and a woman who was, I guessed, fraternal twins. “You should know that this post-orientation event is not compulsory. You will not receive any merit from your professors. What will you get in this activity? It is connection. Your interaction with us, your seniors, and other freshmen, can help us build a connection with each other. Time might come when we will need one’s help, and you might get it from us. We can help you with your courses if you are having a difficulty, influence other students if you are planning to run as an officer, or gain tips about something. Interact first with others.”

We let the remaining four minutes passed, and no one came or left.

The lady introduced herself as the president of the organization for business management students. The man in a polo was the vice president. The other lady was the secretary while her twin was the public information officer.

“This is the beginning.”

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