Halls of Ivy

First steps, Baby steps

Getting out of the apartment was a mission, I just could not bring myself to leave, and England is freaking me out especially with last night's thunderstorm!

Walking down the cobbled pathway, I huddle a little more in my faux hood heading my way towards Evergreen University. After 14 minutes walking and admiring the yellow and red leaves glistening with raindrops under the soles of my feet, I arrive at the campus- Evergreen has done itself with the whole English look. Medieval buildings and high sprung trees growing left, right, centre. First things first, registration.

I walk towards the reception area passing teary-eyed parents and a couple of tourists snapping pictures of the building, damn I should be more appreciative as them! I reach the front desk and ring for assistance and a small, plump blonde hobbles her way to the front.

"Hiya sweets, what can I do for ya?" she rasps through her strong British accent.

"Hi, I would like to collect my ID card and schedule, I registered online but don't know if I need to again?"

"Right, well what is your surname?"

"Ivers."

She types my last name and reads 2 other names- one being Zoe and the other being Gina who I have no clue is. After giving my details of my course and contact details. She hands me my ID exclusively framing my outdated sophomore yearbook photo, which I hastily inserted during online registration, and my schedule. Scanning my schedule, I see I have an hour to spare until my first lecture for a law postgraduate introductory, I think I need a coffee boost to calm my nerves a little. I ask the blonde where the local coffee shop is and she explains that there aren't any on campus but a small pop-up café in building Churchill, which is surprisingly where I will be taught first period.

Walking towards the building, I inhale and exhale carefully ensuring that I don't have a panic attack. Really cannot afford to have one of those on my first day. I reach the pop-up stall, order a medium mocha and sit myself down on a nearby bench opposite my building. Pulling my schedule I examine the lectures taking place this fall term. So I have crime/mooting skills, preliminary law and justice and court- room studies being 3 times a week. Perfect. I just hope I am not the only young one on this course. Next to each of the course names are initials; J.W, M.L.H, and N.W.R. Hopefully these lecturers aren't like the ones back in L.A, being laidback and non-responsive to any help needed. I end up downing the rest of my mocha and head up to class 5 minutes early... high hopes J.W is gentle and kind otherwise I won't be able to survive this country as much as I have before ripping someone's head off.

Arriving 5 minutes early I take a seat in the middle row of the Churchill lecture theatre, it's quite spacious seating a generous 50 students or so. There are some guys sitting towards the back row and a couple girls, mature students and 2 disabled students scattered around. Roughly 14 more people file in by the time the snooty grey-haired J.W walks in, of course with assumption. A guy with blue eyes and dirty blonde hair sits on my right side and a young busty brunette sits on the other side of me. She flips her hair and faces me allowing those perfect lengthy eyelashes and hazel eyes to pierce me.

'Hi, the name's Katrina, Kat for short"

"Isabella, Bella for short"

She reaches over me and hand gestures to the guy, repeating her name trading alongside my introductory, smiling, he replies to both of us "Kieran McCoy, Irish born and bred."

"Oooh Irish hay! Haven't met one of those in Ireland since Primary! What are you doing at Evergreen?" Kat gushes.

He smiles and moves his attention to me, "The real question is what is Miss America doing in a small quirky town like Evergreen? And what is she doing studying Law in England?!" he exclaims exaggerating his mega- watt smile with his livid blue questioning eyes.

Awkward. "Well, I am how ya'll like to say born and bred in LA- younger sister has started at Evergreen and being the party animal, my mom sent me with her to complete my postgrad as well as keeping an eye on her." There I can be nice and informative to these Brits without being too rude. Give me a medal.

They both stare at me dumbfounded and start throwing million questions down my throat about LA life, weather etc., until MR J.W begins his introductory lesson.

So J.W is initialized for Jonathan Wilde, lecturer of crime and mooting skills, my new favorite comedian. We whizz through the hour of introductions and course requirements, this dude is outrageously hilarious and to top it off he's British! Even more of a chance to laugh at him!

The second hour spiraled quickly and before we knew it, the three of us were headed out towards the ground in time for prelim law and justice. We hastily grab the top row seats in the second lecture hall, and before we know it Mrs M.L.H walks in. Setting up the projector screen she introduces herself as Mildred Lea Hodge and passes down stapled piles of paper highlighting course requirements etc. This class drags on a lot, justice is what I am passionate about, having scored a 4.0 GPA in my LA justice classes and qualifying with a sturdy degree I have to be on top of my justice work, but Mildred here likes to put everyone to sleep. As we finally shuffle out the room, I stiffen as I feel Kat linking my arm just as Keiran is walking beside me, "so where are you guys heading, we still have 1 hour of lunch before court room?" we walk under the arched structures and on to the green grass basking in the final fall sunlight.

Kat starts, "Well, court room has been on for a week, the law undergraduates have had quite the start with mr-" she gets cut off by a cyclist who decided to take the shortcut route of grass rather than the man made cyclist route.

"You fucking jerk!!! Learn how to cycle!!!" Kat screeches rattling on about some random cafes she seen on the campus during her opening day.

We head down to some sort of cafeteria at the end of Mellish building, 12 minute walk away from Courtroom. I grab a pot of pasta and a bottle of water, whilst Kat and Kieran grabbed baked potatoes from the stall. We all gather at the small 3 part way table and begin eating. Over lunch we converse about my life in LA, Kieran's life in Ireland and Kat's life in Evergreen. Kat has got to be one of those unique ones who haven't been sucked in the mundane British stereotypes, of which drink tea and obsess over the Queen/ Royals. No, she's a quirky character who has a pretty nice figure; I can say the same about myself, considering I have the body of an athlete, toned abs and sun- kissed skin. Yet I am quite insecure about the way I move my body. Kieran also fits the hemisphere of fitties, he seems to have broad shoulders and big biceps through that tight cashmere sweater he is sporting alongside those khaki style pants. It is safe to say we are all a fit bunch of lawyers.

I glance at my watch and do a double take, "Shit! Guys get up we've got 4 minutes to run to class!" we scramble to our feet leaving our lunch at the table and racing down to courtroom. Kieran overtakes me, slipping through the door, both me and Kat reach, I let her in first and she grabs the last seat at the back row, giving me apologetic looks, I make my way towards the front of courtroom. Everyone is already seated and the projector is up and running, hastily taking in my surroundings whilst walking to the front I notice the room is eerily lit- all mahogany tables placed in a U- shape with green coloured leather couches. The rustic atmosphere holds the sense of justice. I seat myself next to an old, mature blonde woman, at the front (left side of the U).

"Tardiness is NOT acceptable in this class" his voice booms above the ground projector, Mr N.W.R is definitely not someone to be on the wrong side of. The projector comes on showing his name; my heart is in my throat. No it cannot be.

Nathanial Rainford

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A/N

Hey guys I'm back!!!! 2 CHAPTER UPDATE YAYYYY!

HAPPY READING!

KAY XOXOX