Stay With Me

Coffee

    

will

Little did I know that the most important day in my extremely ordinary life would start at a small, ordinary coffee shop which contained an extremely extraordinary person. It also started late, which was typical just because of who I am as a person.  I got out of bed about 5 minutes before my 9 am lecture on the importance of biology started at NYU. Realizing that I didn't have time for a shower I put on my least smelly shirt and sprayed myself down with some cologne. I got in my small blue car and drove to the Underground Cafe to pick up a cup of coffee because I was already late so I might as well stop. I walked in and stood in line to get my usual black coffee when a loud buzz filled the room. I looked over at the table next to me and found a pretty young girl in a white doctors coat and scrubs checking a pager.

"Shit" she muttered under her breathe before running out of the shop and across the street to the New York Presbyterian Hospital. 

At the time, I didn't think much of it. But now I realize that that moment would change my entire life for the better. However, I was running extremely late that day so I just jumped in my car and drove to university. When I got there my professor wasn't very happy with me and made me give him my coffee, which was mildly mortifying.

That day all I could think about was that doctor I saw in that coffee shop. She was tiny, very short and very skinny. I couldn't see her as being anything other than a nurse. 

"NOLAN!" I heard someone shout from across the room. I looked up from my paper and saw the professor staring furiously at me. "Do you think you could answer my question now that you've decided to join us again." Everyone looked at me expectantly. I felt my cheeks blush red.

"Um, w-what was the q-question sir?" I asked quietly. He just rolled his eyes and asked the kid in front of me.

"Ah Alex, Maybe you can answer my question. Now tell me, what happens during asexual cell reproduction?" 

"There are different ways a cell can reproduce asexually, such as budding where the cell will grow another cell on its side until it breaks off and becomes its own cell and also mitosis where the cell will split into two cells." Alex responded with pride, even though everyone learns that in like seventh grade. But whatever I guess. I sighed and put my head down, trying to drown out the annoying sound of Mr. Bishop's voice. Before I knew it I was starting to drift off before someone poked me in the arm with a pencil. 

"Hey, better stay awake before you get him even more pissed." Sofia, the girl sitting next to me whispered. I just nodded and started working on the worksheet in front of me. Although I want to be a biologist after grad school, I really hate the lectures for it. In my opinion they drown out the fun of learning about it. It drains peoples passion for what they want to do. School isn't even about learning anymore, it's about passing. Which is sad, and kind of pathetic. This isn't what so many people fight for. People want educations, not test scores. They want knowledge, not homework grades. It's all just spun way out of control that nobody really sees the problem with modern day education. Kids should be excited for school, not dread it. People should want a diploma to show that they're qualified for the real world, not so that school can finally be over. And college is just way fucked up. The fact that people have to pay so much money just to get another diploma is bullshit. College may be optional but so many people don't get the opportunity to go just because of tuition prices and student loans and having to buy textbooks or dorms or apartments. It's all just so stupid. I mean what's the point? After college students are in so much debt that they might not be able to afford an apartment or get a job anyway so whats the point. 

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of a bell ringing and Mr. Bishop yelling that the class is dismissed and that he'll see us all on Monday. I'm so glad that it's finally the weekend.