Stardust Romantics

German Passions

One year later, I found myself a senior, trying to navigate this new unfamiliar reality of SAT-s, college applications, deadlines, prom, and impending adult responsibilities. My communication with my classmates had taken a turn for the worse, or at best - we refused to acknowledge each other, to keep the white flag up in the air long enough. 
Regardless. I had my guardian angels, by my side at all times so, this silent war was not about to disrupt my inner peace.

At some point, my classmates made me choose between them and my, only friend and there was no surprise, to who my heart led me to in this choice.

However, William and the others never found out, I was practically pushed to the curve, and forced to make that choice, under circumstances closer to ambush than to a discussion. As a result, my fantastic four were the only souls who recognized me or spoke to me, for the entire senior year experience...

Between SAT prep, debate, astronomy, and all my extra credits, I barely noticed the difference anyway, long enough for it to sting.

07.05.14, DSD German Class Language Masters day was right around the corner, followed by campus tours of Ivy league, and abroad Colleges.

I applied for two majors, and 3 Universities.

Physics and Architecture, multiplying the SAT stakes, to superhuman levels, but the goal overruled the means to an end. Peer pressure and expectations to fulfill, were how I justified Will's sudden change of heart, about us, a few comments and remarks of his, that cut deeper than the world saw, or the cliff I felt, we were standing on, out of the blue...

Even though everyone knew we were together by now, I'd often catch him, looking over his shoulder before wrapping his arms around me or walking me home, he had stopped asking me to be his plus one, and often a conversation with Steven would instantly fizzle out, the second I walked in. He would often "accidentally" address mine and Julie's cerebral paralysis in the most inconsiderate of ways. All hell broke loose if I dared to surpass him academically. Thinking I was in love,I was in chains instead!
Something about us didn't seem right these days and it broke my heart. I didn't want to admit it to myself, but it was just too hard, to watch it all, slowly fade away. I often went back in my mind, to the promises we'd made, but the wary feeling, never fully went away...Ultimately, I should have expected the cold shoulder, from my former German teacher, today of all days. Yet, such heartlessness took me, and every other unlucky witness by surprise. She'd gotten served and kicked out of the school, for homophobic remarks towards students, due to complaints of victim families, shortly after I was transferred and Julie was denied a scholarship by her, based on her "offending the public immobility ".

I'd say Karma is a bitch, but that was a title only lowlifes like this teacher, should wear like a crown. The whole case, was a stand-alone scandal, staining the school's reputation, had her contract continued. Not to mention, the collateral damage, a homophobic supervisor in a progressive high school, could cause.

                                                                                 * * *

As I was scanning the room, for my seat, I felt a familiar tingle on my spine. William was watching me. In my classic, little black dress I at least, dressed accordingly for the occasion!

"Clara!"

"Ah, the man of the hour! Well...One of them, at least!" I blushed, unable to control, my own body's reactions to the sight of him.

"Gosh ... You look... You came!"

"In spite of all our problems, we never talk about these days? Yes, I did! " I gathered myself, like a queen."I came for you, for Alice, for Steven! I came to be moral support to Julie too! Don't give yourself all the credit!"

"Tell me, what to do!"

"Stop being ashamed of me and talk to me, not to criticize but to actually speak, for instance..." I whisper under my breath.

"Would introducing you, to my grandfather help?"

"Not completely, but it's a start." I gave him a smile, proud of my small victory."
A short friendly-looking man stepped out of the crowd and bowed. His face was an entire map, drawn by time, but a smile flickered in his eyes as he approached.

"Miss, it is an honor! You are even more gorgeous than he described you to be!"

I was lost for words and put in an awkward and uncomfortable position.

"To be honest Sir, I am surprised he even talked about me at all!"

The elderly man gestured to the seat beside him. I scanned the room for a quick exit, from this situation, in the face of Alice or Julie, but was left with empty hopes, so I sat down, completely speechless.

Whoever said, the French ways were dramatic, clearly never came face to face, with the German!