Is It Worth It?

Chapter 1

I was always told that college is nothing like high school but so far from what I have seen, I think whoever said that has never been to college. As I am walking to my first class of the day, I see some guys and they are all talking about the girls they hooked up with over the summer, I hear sorority girls talking about the lavish vacations they went on, and a group of people all wearing Legend of Zelda clothes. See, exactly like high school, your jocks, your preppy girls and your nerds. It's fine though because what would life be without social status.

I see a table in the middle of the quad with a bunch of rainbow flags. I hope that isn't what I think it is.

Okay, I know what you are probably thinking,

"You're homophobic, aren't you?" but that's the thing, I'm not.

It's just every time I see queer people, they think I am one of them, which I am not. There is nothing wrong with being gay, I'm just tired of people thinking I am. Part of me does question it sometimes though. I am supposedly the walking poster child for queer people, according to my friends.

No. I am not gay. I can't be. My family would literally kill me.

Anyway, I let that thought drop as I finally get to my first class of the day, which by the way ,is all the way on the sixth floor of this building and there is no elevator. I'm sitting at the top of the stairs trying to catch my breath when this girl walks past me. She gives me this look that I can't quite explain but it makes me feel......tingly. I don't know what just happened, but I think it is best that I just ignore this feeling.

I finally catch my breath and walk into the classroom and find my seat. This class is kind of a small one for college but then again, it is Intro to Philosophy. I don't really need this class, but I figured there is something cool to learn here. The teacher walks in and gets right into the usual first day housekeeping things. He tells us his name is Dr. Holms and that this class is one that will teach us what it is really like to think for oneself and blah blah blah. He finally starts teaching but the girl from before raises her hand.

"So Mr. Hummus", she and the two guys next to her stifle a laugh

"It's Dr. Holms." He responded through his teeth

"Okay DR. Holms, anyway, I was wondering why anything you have said in the past five minutes makes a difference in how we are supposed to think?"

"What's your name?' He asked her

"Alice"

"Well Alice, if you are questioning my teachings, you are more than welcome to leave this classroom and not come back."

Some of the class tries not to laugh and the rest of them are sitting there in complete shock, me included. These college professors really don't play around, I guess. This Alice girl just sits in her chair and does not say a word the rest of the time we are in there. The class goes on and we finally get to leave.

"Hey, wait up." I turn to see Alice trying to catch up to me

"What's your name?" She asks

"Jess. Why?" I replied with a very dry tone

"No need to be hostile. I was only asking a question. But is it nice to meet you, Jess."

"Yea. Bye" I cut her off.

I walk away before she gets the chance to say anything else to me. She was rude in class and if there is one type of person in this world that I cannot stand, it would be rude people.

The rest of the day goes on and I finally finish all my classes for the day. I decided to go to the library here on campus because I know I can get some peace and quiet to get some work done. Also, I didn't want to leave just yet because I don't want anyone to see me leave in my ratty old car that squeaks every time I start it up.

A few hours pass and there is an announcement that the library is going to be closing in ten minutes. I did not realize it was already ten o'clock. I figured I better run out of here now so I can leave campus in the hopes of no one seeing me in my car. I make it to my car in the parking tower and the coast is clear. I make my way home and as I pull up to my driveway, I can only think about how it honestly looks like a crack house.

As I walk inside, I see my little brother sitting on the couch watching his favorite Disney movie on my old phone.

"How was your first day of college?" He doesn't even look up from the phone when he asks me this.

"It was pretty good bubba. Very long day."

"At least you had fun. Do you have to go every day?" He sets the phone down when he asks this question. There is hope in his eyes that I say No.

"Yea I do. But don't worry. You will be able to start school soon too so you will get to leave during the day. Just like me." I responded by giving him a smile.

His eyes light up when I tell him this. I look at my phone and realize that it is almost 11:30.

"It's getting late, bubs. Are you ready to go to bed?"

"Yea" He yawns at me.

I scoop him up and walkinto the back room. I lay him down and I crawl into bed myself. He likes tocuddle up next to me all the time. Once he was nice and comfortable, it wasonly a matter of minutes before we both crashed for night.