Being a Barrow - A Sequel to Barrow's Boy

Feast Day

     As Theodore had expected, Dansworth and Monty had taken Theodore in like he was some kind of baby bird, constantly approaching him any time that they seemed to spot him on campus. And, of course, Theodore had been sure that Ashton was brought along too. As far as he was aware, neither boy had a problem with this, and so, just like in his first year of school at Downton, Theodore found himself forming a group of four with these boys. Naturally, he was trying to make friends with other students as well, though in a meeting he had had with Fletcher a few days ago- one that he apparently had to have with every first year to ensure that they were settling in well- he had been told not to worry. He had many years to make friends, and most first-years were too nervous to reach out anyway.

     His professors seemed to like him as well, apart from Lohengrin. Theodore thrived in his Human Anatomy class, years of studying medical texts finally paying off. And his Intro to Clinical Medicine class was not much different, with his internship at the Downton Hospital having well prepared him. His knowledge in these subjects had made Doctors Patton and Rothschild, who taught each class respectively, depend on him for answers in classes, something that he took as a good sign. Dr. Rutherford, his professor for Brain and Behaviour, was ironically a bit harder to read, though Teddy had found no problems with him yet. 

      His first couple of weeks at St. Raph's had been a time of discovery, including his locating a good study spot for himself under a large tree not far from Lane Hall. It would not work when the weather changed to cold and wet, but he enjoyed it for now.

     It was Tuesday the 28th that he found himself sitting there, going over the notes that he had been organizing for his first essay of the year. It was for Woodward, which somehow both eased and heightened Theodore's nerves. He trusted the man to not tear him apart but still wanted to do well for him. 

   He looked between his textbook and paper, jotting down another citation for himself. Caught up in his work, he was unaware of someone approaching until they were already there.

     "Well, look who it is!" Theodore looked up to find a girl in a St. Agatha's uniform smiling down at him. The look on her face allowed him to recognize her immediately; she was the blonde girl who had smirked at him when he had accidentally gone onto the nursing campus on that first day.

     Turning back to his notes, Theodore replied.

     "I don't think you're supposed to be on the St. Raph's campus."

      "What Nurse Parks doesn't know won't kill her," the girl replied, stepping under the shade of the tree and sitting across from Theodore. Teddy kept his eyes on his notes, not looking at the girl even as she leaned closer to him.

     "Molly Jones," she introduced herself, holding out a hand. Theodore glanced at it, then grabbed a pen and stuck it in her hand instead of initiating contact.

      "Are you not going to give me your name?" She inquired after a moment. "That's rather rude."

     "Theodore Barrow."

      "Theodore," she repeated, then smiled. It was funny, Teddy was fairly certain that Molly was the first one to use his first name since he had come to campus. Last names seemed to be a thing here.

     "Can I help you, Molly?"

     The girl smirked again, then giggled. She giggled like a girl in a candy shop.

     "Oh, you can help me, Theodore Barrow. If you're willing."

      Theodore looked up from his textbook, allowing his eyes to meet hers. They were brown, darker than his own, though they glinted in the sun as she smiled at him.