A Necessary Struggle: Fall Semester

Part 4

Alyssa Sasaki, rounding off right at five foot two, was overstressed and overworked; tell her something she didn't know. It was a given for the pre-med major, chemistry minor sitting in her last, crowded class jotting down the last bullet on human cells. She was going to be a doctor and nothing and no one was going to stop that. If you asked her what her only flaw was, she would respond, "My strive for perfection."

"Your papers on infectious diseases are due on Monday." Professor Jones in her tailored navy suit announced at her podium.

The students sigh in disapproval.

"I know you don't like it but this is college. If I would give you a free weekend, I would be doing you all a great disservice and wasting your money. This is what you are here for. You know this. You are juniors. So have your papers on my desk by Monday or fail the class. Have a fantastic day!" Professor Jones closed the massive biology book, cradled it in her arms, and left.

"Bitch" Alyssa said under her breath as she dotted the last period in her notebook.

"I know, how are we supposed to have a fantastic day if we have to write a paper; lunacy." Quinn peeked over Alyssa's shoulder copying her notes.

"I know right? I have to work this weekend." Alyssa stood up stretching her lean limbs.

"You are going to Pulse tonight." Quinn snatched her notebook and slapped it on his desk.

"I have to check on the growth of my multi-cellular parasites and catch up on some work, so I'll be there for a while. Why?" Alyssa stripped off her navy cardigan revealing an orange and white striped top.

"I just want to know. I might bless you with a dance." Quinn handed Alyssa back her notebook.

"Bless me? What happened to that little freshman you were chilling with?" Alyssa asked.

"Ida. We fell out last week." Quinn followed her to the huddle of students waiting to pass through the doorway. "She wouldn't let a Brotha breathe

Alyssa laughed walking down the teeming hallway, "That's what you get for hooking up with a freshman."

Alyssa knew all too well about that situation. During sophomore year she dealt with baby-faced, Gerber breathed, freshman T.J. She told him it was just a one-night thing, getting their freak on but he didn't understand. He didn't get the hint when she changed her cell number. Then, she discovered he was Facebook stalking her, showing up at every engagement she had. She had to get a restraining order. The fear of jail woke him up or maybe it was the verbal lashing he received from his parents. Whichever caveat it was, didn't matter to Alyssa, being awarded her privacy was the only thing she cared about.

"That's why I'm trying to get me a woman now." Quinn held the door open for her.

Alyssa pulled up her super straight, jet-black hair letting the sun hit her neck, "Okay, I'll be there and if you get there in time I'll save you a dance, we'll see."

"I'll be there" Quinn shot her a smile before disappearing in the horde of students in the quad.

Alyssa wiped her hands along her apple-round face basking in the brightness of the sun. Where was she going to find the time? Quinn was her study buddy, they both worked shifts at Austin General and had three classes together; she couldn't just blow him off. If she could she would but she couldn't. She told him she'd be there, so she'll be there. She looked at the little white watch on her wrist, it was almost lunchtime; they'll be waiting on her.

What was the hardest assignment an instructor ever assigned you?