The Crash

Chapter 12

I've picked up my books, and today is my first day of class. I'm nervous, but I'm also really excited. My arms heavy from the pages, I haul my things into the classroom and sit at a desk at the front of the room. It looks surprisingly like a regular classroom, just a tad smaller. It still has the teacher's desk, shelves for books, posters, a chalkboard, and an old rolling TV like the ones we had in elementary school.

I sit next to a girl with short brown hair. It's long on top, faded on the sides. She looks over and smiles at me, butterflies awakening in my stomach. What is going on with me?

"Hey there, I'm Sam. Looks like we'll be in class together for the semester. We might as well get to know each other, seeing as we have to keep these seats for the duration of the semester."

Oh, I didn't know that. I'm glad I picked to sit next to someone friendly.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to making some level-headed friends and learning new things." I say.

"Have you ever been to college before?" She asks.

"Nope, never had the time. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to do it now, though. Might as well, especially since it's free."

Like I said, there's no way I'm not taking advantage of this. Plus, it will give me something to do instead of just sitting on my bunk all day in the heat. There's actually air conditioning here.

A dimple forms as she grins softly. "That's true."

The teacher stands up and makes her introduction.

"I am Ms. Vaughn. I will be teaching sociology 1001 for the duration of the semester. I hope you all will put in the work to make use of your educational opportunity here."

I fully intend on putting my best foot forward and doing the best I can. I'm aiming for straight A's, or at least A's and B's.

Sam looks at me and winks, a warmth creeping up to my cheeks. Why is she getting to me so much? I don't even like women.

"Turn to page three in your textbooks, Please. There are three beginning-of-class questions to answer. I want you all to do the first two with a partner.

I flip to page three and start reading: "Sociology is never used as a political tool. True or false?"

Sam puts her finger to her mouth, an exaggerated thinking position. I chuckle quietly.

"True!" Sam guesses.

I flip to the back of the textbook, looking for the answer. I run my finger down the list of answers, locating the correct one for the question at hand.

"It's false." I say with a playful laugh.

Sam smiles. There goes me blushing again. Is this ever going to stop?

"Okay, my turn. Question two: Explain sociology in simple terms."

"Umm, hold on." I say, flipping through the introduction. "Aha! Sociology is the study of social problems."

"You cheated, but I'll give it to you," She says amusingly.

We sit patiently in our seats, waiting for our next set of instructions.

"So who's your bunkie?" Sam asks.

"Her name's Cici. She works in the library." I tell her.

Hopefully, I can get a job there, too. It would be a nice bonus getting to work with someone I can actually stand. Cici is my only real friend in here.

"Oh, really?" Sam says, surprised. I work in the legal section. I work with her."

Hmm. This could either be really good or really bad.

"Time's up!" Ms. Vaughn says. It's time to share our answers. Table one, read question two as well as your response."

I look over at Sam and then read the question from the textbook, trying my hardest not to stutter and make an ass of myself in front of the class. That's not what I need on my first day.

"Sociology is the study of social problems."

"Wow, word for word. Good job. The teacher responds before moving to the next table.

For the remainder of the class, we review the chapter. I won't say it was exciting, but I was able to pay attention, for the most part. Sam gives me a few playful taps throughout the lecture, my mind reeling with unexplained feelings. I don't like women, I don't think. Do I?

*     *      *

"Hey Cici!" I say excitedly.

"What's up?" She asks nonchalantly.

"Not much, I just got back from my first day of class. I had sociology class today."

It was actually really fun, but I don't know if it was the class, or because Sam was there.

"I'm glad to hear it. I wish I could go to college. I work too much, though, and I wouldn't want to cut down my hours at the library. I'm making decent money." Cici explains.

I furrow my brow. "Don't you want to do something in here to make it easier to make your way on your own when you go home?"

Cici looks at her feet. "I have five years left, so I have some time still. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

Five years? On top of how long she's been here already?!

"Oh", I say apologetically. I had no idea."

I wonder what she did to get in here. Better not ask. I know how much I hate being asked that question.

"It's okay. I've got some really good friends to pass the time, and I have you." She says, smiling.

"Cici?" I ask softly. "Does it ever get you down knowing you have so much time left to go?"

I can't imagine being here as long as she has, let alone five years more than that. Two years feels like a lifetime already.

"Yeah, sometimes, but like I said, I have good friends. Your friends become like family here, especially since some girls don't even have that."

No family? I can't even imagine not having Mom and Gran.

"Really? That's so sad."

Cici looks at me. "It is, but that's what happens to a lot of addicts. People lose trust in you and end up distancing themselves. It happens more than you'd think."

I look at my hands, studying my fingers because I'm unsure of what to say next. What do you even say to something like that? This conversation has gotten pretty deep, and it's the first time Cici has ever shown her soft side. It makes me a little bit uncomfortable hearing her talk like this.

Finially, Cici breaks the silence. "You want to watch a movie? We can sit on my bunk and use my TV."

"Sure", I say. "Sounds good. I'll bring snacks."

Cici laughs. "You know the way to my heart, Alex.