Things That Blind Us

Chapter 6

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

I had read this line many times before. To some people, this line couldn't be more wrong. But, to me, it is absolutely right. I agree with everything it is stating. It is amazing how a book full of words that alone have no meaning, but together can bring understanding to the world, can make someone feel like they are one with it.

I check my phone and quickly get up as I realize I only have 10 minutes to get to my next class. I put the book back exactly where I found it and head towards the exit. It takes me a while to direct myself in the right direction after walking in circles.

When I find the classroom, I walk inside and sit in the only seat available. Everyone seems to be writing something down. I am completely lost and have no choice but to ask somebody. I tap the shoulder in front of me and immediately regret it when two green eyes look back at me.

“Yea- oh..” He says “Its you”

“You have this class?”

“Why else would I be sitting here?” He counters back.

“What are we supposed to be doing?” I ask impatiently.

He sighs and says “We're suppose to write about what we think psychology is and why it's useful.”

“Thanks” I say flatly and Harry turns around once more.

My pen touches the surface of my paper but does not move. I try to think about psychology and everything I know on the subject. Then, my pen gradually starts moving. I start writing about the mind of the human being and all its functions. How each part of it makes up the persons character and how sometimes it can be manipulated. I write about “nature vs nurture” which includes how we are based on what we were born doing and how we are based on what we were taught growing up. I would say psychology is useful because it can dig deep through a person's head and find things that that person didn't even they had locked away.

After I was done with the assignment, I watched as everyone else kept fiddling with their pens, their papers tainted with only one sentence. I suddenly found myself staring at the back of Harry's head, thinking about how a guy from his background is in a college psychology class. It's like he read my mind or something because right then he turned around and noticed me staring at him.

“Why do you always do that?” He catches me off guard.

“Do what?” I ask him.

“That. You just stare at me. All the time.”

“Oh, I don't know. You're just.. You're just-”

“Different?” He finishes my sentence for me.

“No, well.. I don't know really. You just hold my interest..” I don't know if those were the right words, but it's all I could come up with at the moment.

“I'm not sure how to take that. Can't say the same about you.” He huffs.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I attempt to get an answer.

“You're the same as everybody else. Or, in other words, you don't hold my interest.” He spits.

“You don't even know me.” I begin to grow angry.

“I don't have to.” And with that he turns around once more as our psychology professor begins to speak.

I drown out the professors words and keep playing Harry's words in my head. You're the same as everybody else. You're the same as everybody else.

I never wanted to be “the same”. It's just one of those things that you see happening all around you everyday, but you never quite think it can happen to yourself. He doesn't know what he's talking about. We haven't even really had a real conversation. He doesn't know anything about me.

For the rest of class, I am silent and distant from the others as students begin to answer questions and giving opinions. All I really wanna do right now is go home and do nothing. I start to scribble drawings on my paper out of boredom for a while then notice everyone getting up and leaving. Class ended.

I walk out the door avoiding any communication with the professor, Harry or anyone for that matter. I make my way towards the spot where I left my bike and am in complete anguish when I don't see it. The chain is on the floor broken in two and the lock is still connected. Really, could my day get any worse? I pull out my phone in attempt to call Carol and see if she can give me a ride. It rings about seven times and goes to voice mail. I start to walk as a black vehicle stops at the curb beside me. The dark windows go down and the one person I never expected to be behind the wheel is there.

“Do you want a ride?” Harry says.

'Oh I'm sorry I thought that my lack of interestingness would bore you.” I say trying to keep my serious after using a non-existent word.

“Interestingness?” He questions and smiles.

“Shut up.” I say and he opens the passenger door.

“Just get in.” He says looking forward and I stay standing with my arms crossed. He then turns and looks at me and I figured he may be a dick but we are going to the same place and it beats walking in this heat. So, I get in and close the door.