A Suite and Magical Life

Chapter 26: College is the journey, not the destination

September 5, 2011

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Zack and Cody Martin left their dorm room and went to their first class of the day. Today was their first day at Harvard. The twins had applied for their undergraduate degree to be that of an Economics degree, but for different reasons: Cody wanted to eventually make some positive change in the field and win a Nobel Prize for his work, while Zack simply wanted to deduce how an economy worked, shape his political views on economics and gain more theoretical wisdom.

Zack was grouchy that particular morning because Alex, wanting to become a painter, had applied for the Arts program, and would (obviously) now be in separate classes from the twins. However, Cody was ecstatic as Bailey and London had also applied for and been accepted into the economics course. Zack took comfort in the fact that Cody and Bailey would remain together and was content with the fact that his friend London would be in the same class as all of them.

They walked into the class to find Monroe Cabot giving a lecture to the students present in the room, Bailey and London being among them. The students had been quietly listening to the speech by Cabot, and all eyes turned to look at the twins, as the only latecomers. While Bailey and London smiled at the sight of the twins, the rest of the students were not so welcoming, scowling with disdain at the latecomers or glaring at them with contempt for their tardiness. Among the exceptions was Olivia Cabot, Monroe Cabot's daughter, who enthusiastically smiled and waved at the twins. This caused Monroe to glare at her until she looked away from them.

"Well, if it isn't our star students." Monroe Cabot said vitriolically, giving them a smile which failed to mask the look of hatred in his eyes. Zack and Cody glared back stone-faced at him.

"Late on the first day of college? Tsk, tsk. This is disappointing, boys." Monroe Cabot reproved.

Zack checked his watch. It read 7:55 AM. "We're 5 minutes early. Class starts at 8." he told him.

Monroe Cabot's oily smile fell, a scowl spreading across his countenance. "You should be 10 minutes early, minimum!" he declared. "When I was in college, I was always 30 minutes early." he claimed. While most students lapped it up, the twins and Bailey and London didn't do so.

Zack and Cody exchanged a look with Bailey and London, with the twins rolling their eyes. Bailey and London giggled, which Monroe Cabot noticed, causing him to glare disapprovingly. 

"Take your seats, boys. And be sure never to enter class after a teacher in the future." he said.

Zack and Cody took their seats, with Cody sitting next to Bailey, who smiled and took his hand while Zack sat next to London, who grinned mischievously and winked at Zack, distracting him. 

Why would London Tipton, who usually found him unattractive, be winking coquettishly at him today? he pondered. He noticed that she had dressed well, even by her standards: the latest Arturo Vitali dress, shimmering aqua like the ocean, complimented London's hourglass figure, her olive skin shimmering with moisturizer, her washed brown hair gleaming, her eyes sparkling with mischief along with an inviting and wide smile. He shook away these thoughts: London Tipton was just a friend. Besides, Zack was already in love with Alexandra Margarita Russo.

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted." Monroe Cabot continued, casting a pointed glare towards the twins. "I was telling you to chase your dreams and never hold back. But you must remember, only have fun if you can afford it." he said, most of the students listening raptly.

"Enjoy your first day of college. And remember to always be on your best behavior." Monroe Cabot finished, glaring one last time at the twins before he walked out of the classroom. Until then, they all had been paying attention to Cabot, but now, they saw their professor for the first class of the day. He was elderly, grey-haired and wizened. When he finally began speaking, his dull tone immediately extinguished the interests of many students, including Zack and London.