A Life Less Ordinary

It's Now Time To Start My Voyage

Victor:

I let myself back into my room after my morning ride. The quiet of the empty dorm surrounds me. My roommate is still in Europe. His boxes from moving week are all still sealed and waiting on his return. He won't be back until mid-August when his team inducts new members and go for their camp week. I miss Wil but not the noise that him.

My mind wanders as I shower the smell of horse and barn from my body. Wil is one of my longest friendships outside of the guys. We'd met at orientation and bonded over computers. Initially the Academy tried to assign him as our tenth member with Owen as our diplomat candidate, unfortunately Wil and Owen hated each other on sight. Well Wil hated Owen and Owen went cold. When camp that year was a horrid disaster for us, Wil was transfers to global cyber security. Now he runs his own team and is much happier.

Thinking of Wil reminds me that the team's tech needs an upgrade in both hardware and software. The security teams will be hitting the diplomatic teams hard once they are back. Working out the tech requirements for my team sees me through getting dressed for auditions and finding food.

I check my stack of sheet music, most of which are Sang's pieces. Owen and I were assigned as mentors and accompanists for this round of auditions. Everyone who is auditioning has the choice to set up as many practice times as they wish with one section set aside to meet with either myself or Owen to get a feel for how we play. Aside from Sang I only saw three others, those three were decent players but nothing exciting. I hope Owen had more people take advantage of his offer to help than I did. Auditions have the potential to be painful if only a handful took advantage of the offered mentoring. One last check of my supplies and outfit and I am ready to pick up my dream girl.

I run across to the senior girls' dorm and let myself in. The dorm is significantly quieter this morning than it was last night. As I pass each floor, I can hear the sounds of people starting their day. Music can faintly be heard on the second-floor landing, a shower is running on the third floor and Tam meets me at Sang's door when I reach the fourth floor. Not sure why her room surprises me, but it does. Her bed is made with precise hospital corners, slippers neatly tucked under the side. Her study area is a little intimidating; the desktop is clear of everything except her laptop, the calendar behind the desk is color coded and small notes are attached to the side with various instructions for each day. Today has the note: remember to eat, find ten minutes between activities to refuel. I snap a picture of the note and send it to North and Luke. They'll ensure she gets the right food at the meeting this afternoon. I already know the Nate is planning to feed her after her work out. I take another look around the room, everything seems to have its proper place, arranged by function. Her instruments are neatly displayed in their open cases on the shelf by the window, cleaning supplies beside each. The music folder is closed on the music stand in front of the window. I grab her instruments and music folder before bidding Tam thanks and farewell.

I walk over to the gym enjoying the morning quiet. The day is tinted a thick, fuzzy, gold. The assortment of flowering trees and shrubs lining the pathways perfumes the air with an appealing spicey honey; birds are chattering in the trees on either side. This campus is one of the prettiest I've seen, and I've seen them all. A small group of students is sitting in the quad as I cross it to the sports complex. They are the first students I've see this morning, but they won't be the last as I expect more people will be around soon as the various summer activities start at nine.

As I walk, I can feel the sweat already starting to bead on my spine. Fortunately, I learned years ago to wear a moisture wicking undershirt when I need to look pressed and polished in this heat. Mid-July and the day shaping up to be hot and humid. Summer on the coast is always a sticky affair. Good thing all my activities today are inside ones.