Chapter 9: The University

Uncle Harris drove me to school on Tuesday morning. My schedule this semester included three classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays—two in the morning and one in the afternoon. I was entering this semester as a junior, having started and stopped college several times in the past six years. Between my health and the fucked up events that brought me here, I felt like a perpetual student taking only a few classes at a time. I also couldn’t decide on a major, so I transferred a hodgepodge of coursework each time I enrolled in a new school.

“I feel like this will be a good year for you.” Uncle Harris was unusually chipper this morning.

“Oh yeah, why is that?”

“The people around here are surly and demanding, but they look out for one another. Most have had a tough go at it at one time or another.”

“You’ve always liked it here.”

“You ready for the term?”

“Same deal with new faces. I’m always starting over.”

“Seems like you already made some friends.”

“Would you call the MCs friends?”

“I do. Good souls.”

“But not enough for me to date.” He sighed instead of answering. His protective nature made me smile. It was nice having someone care.

Uncle Harris dropped me off in the commuter parking lot. “You good?”

“Yeah. I’ll take the bus home.” He nodded as I climbed out of his truck.

“Steak tonight.” He called out as the car pulled away. I smiled, now understanding why he was so chipper. The man loved his prime cuts of beef.

Here we go again. I stalled and took in the campus.

This university was made of more brick than any of the other schools I attended. The city colleges used cement and glass in their architectural designs. All my classes were on the same side of campus, allowing me to carve out a little niche.

Being early to class was better than being late. I took my preferred seat by the window in the empty classroom. I was enrolled in Statistics, Anatomy & Physiology, and Psychology this semester. With all my time in the hospital, I was considering a medical career. I had taken various liberal arts classes, and any career seemed possible, but I couldn’t commit. I may be destined to be a perpetual student, or maybe I can’t commit to a life. Instability breeds abstinence.

I was zoned out until Gunnar walked in with a huge smile. He removed the guy sitting next to me and took his seat.

“Hey there, beautiful. Fancy seeing you here.”

“I forgot we had Stats together.” I hoped my smile was as bright as his. “Have you decided on a major?” I asked.

“I like what Ghost does. He gets to be outside and make his own hours. He has more jobs than he can handle, so I hoped he would take me on when I graduate.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a geophysicist. He assesses land before it can be sold or built on.” The instructor came in and began setting up. “He has an advanced degree,” Gunnar said proudly. I nodded, acknowledging the accomplishment.

Gunnar spoke of Ghost as a role model or mentor, and I felt his admiration and love for him. The interactions I witnessed were more confrontational, and I would have guessed that Ghost didn’t like him around at all.

The hour-and-a-half class flew by. I liked math and other subjects that made sense to me. Psychology is my most challenging course this semester. The discipline’s interpretive nature was not a strength of mine. I said goodbye to Gunnar and went up two floors to my next class. Afterward, I had an hour for lunch before Human Anatomy class in the afternoon. I only came to campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays, limiting my availability to socialize.

The window seat was already occupied by a vivacious blonde who was animatedly talking with someone on her phone. She nodded to me as I approached, and I took the seat beside her. She oddly ended the call without saying goodbye.

“I’m Clara. You must be a transfer student.”

“Esmerelda. How could you tell?”

“You’re taking an upper-level class, and I don’t know you.”

“You know everyone?”

“Of course.”

“I only know one other person.”

“Now you know two.” She looked at me thoughtfully. “Who’s the other person?”

“His name is Gunnar…”

“Gunnar Mäkinen, who wears a tight leather jacket and big black boots and rides a motorcycle. Tall, sandy blonde hair, green eyes, with a hunky body.”

“Yup, that Gunnar. He likes pizza and Marvel movies and wants to be a geophysicist.”

“You’re so lucky.” Clara fanned herself, sitting back in her chair. “Want to have lunch after class?”

“That would be great.” Thanks to Clara, my psychology class was better than I expected. We partnered in each activity and shared notes, so I was off to a great start.