A Hallway of Leaves

Five

I haven't heard any word about and from Sam since he flew to the States for a few re-shots, which is entirely not new. But when three days had passed without even a single notice, it starts to turn out a little bit out of scope. Because even if he is one of a hell busy, he finds even a single second to spare just to tell me of what he'll be doing. Another thing, for unknown reasons, since that time he left, I start having dreams about him.

I didn't tell anyone about the dreams, but I told my parents and Airin about Sam's absence. At the very least, they must know about it.

Today, though, is the day that I must start living my life in the student residences within the proximity of the University College of Dublin. It had always been my dream school since I was young because both of my parents met and graduated there, and my mother is currently a Physics professor there, too. I anticipate that she'll be one of my professors. After all, I'll be a freshman of Engineering starting Monday; and by my second year, no doubt that I'll continue onward for Chemical and Bioprocessing Engineering.

Though I actually don't like the idea of residing to some sort of dormitory, my parents insisted that I'll certainly fail my first subject because of tardiness. My mother leaves home late for her classes start two hours before noon, and I hate waking up way too early to attend my first class at eight since UCD is about twenty-three miles away from home... And another thing, Airin insisted my parents if it is possible that I stay in one of the school residences that will just be next door to hers. My parents even didn't question her real reason of why.

Anyway, Dad promised that he'll make up for today after days that I could barely get a chance to talk to him or ask how he is doing. I start to incredibly miss him because of that. So I made him promised one time that I managed to talk to him for a bit that he'll be the one to drive me to Roebuck Hall Residence, the school residence that they managed to acquire for me. Though it is not the nearest one to my College building, being near to the College of Law instead, they still chose that one not because of being the most costly among the others because of it being the newest one, but because of the ambiance it has. After all, my parents are doctors—my father as an Internal Medicine Doctor with two specializations, and my mother as a Physicist. They've set high standards on how to use money in their own accords.

Mom is already at the University for a meeting as usual, and Dad takes the leave for today just to drop me off. So it's just me and Dad, along with Buzz, to head on to the school residence.

During the ride, Dad allowed me to have my own tunes be played in the car. After all, I and Dad had the same taste in music, while Mom always asked the two of us to settle with something that won't lead for our eardrums to bleed. That's why, whenever Mom is along with us, I settle with my earphones instead.

"You keep on looking at your phone since we left the house," he says, casting a short glance at me.

I didn't think that he'll notice it. But he basically does. I even don't know why at all, not until when I received a message from Airin few minutes ago that I turn a little disappointed, my mind concluding that I am waiting for another. I shrug my shoulders. "Don't know."

"Not excited about College?"

"Somehow."

"What course is Airin taking again?"

"She'll be taking up Music."

Dad nods. A few seconds later, he says, "You haven't heard from Sam?"

I instantly glance at him, surprised myself that he managed to deduce just that himself. "What makes you think I'm thinking about Sam, Dad?"

"Your tone gives away too much."

I turn away, and pin my eyes to the road ahead and the scenery around us.