Note from the Author: Total Words: 12,053. Words to go: 17,947.
I wake up super duper early on Monday morning. First I lay around for a while, but eventually I decide to get up. I open my curtains, feed Shelby, then walk over to my closet. Today I put on my favorite pair of jean capris and a gray sweater. It’s one of my go to outfits.
The bathroom is empty because of the early hour. I take advantage of the peace and quiet. I put my hair into pigtails and brush my teeth. I walk slowly back to my room and check the clock. Darn. It’s still really early.
Ordinarily I’d just go to class, but I have plans with Matt. Hmm. I decide to go down to the kitchen and help Gus with breakfast. He puts me on donut duty. He already made the donuts, so it’s my job to cover them in powdered sugar, glaze, or chocolate. I also add sprinkles to some of them. I leave others naked. Not my favorite, but to each their own.
At 6:30, people start to mill around the cafeteria. I ask Gus if I can steal the donut holes and two glasses of chocolate milk. “Anything for my little sous chef!”
I bring/juggle the donuts and milk over to the co-ed dorm and bang on Matt’s door until I hear him roll out of bed. “Donut delivery!” I say as a greeting.
“Yay,” he says, somewhat enthusiastically. It’s hard to be enthusiastic when you’re half asleep, but Matt manages. His tv is still on, displaying credits. He must sleep with it on. It is nice to have some white noise.
We sprawl out on his bed with the plate of donut holes in between us. At 15 minutes until 8, we have to head to class. It turns out that Matt’s pod is right next to mine. We each step into our pods.
I change my wallpaper to a rainforest scene, equipped with huge trees, monkeys, and exotic frogs. I set the sound to rainfall. Overall, it sets a cool vibe. Wallpaper is going to be something I miss on Earth. Don’t get me wrong, Earth is very technologically advanced, but Moon Academy is very, very futuristic.
I get started on today’s lesson. Looks like another piano lesson is in store for me today. I start with my book report on Hope Was Here. After a couple of hours, my project is looking fabulous, if I do say so myself. Once I start a project, I can’t stop until it’s perfect. Unfortunately, that means I don’t pay enough attention to time.
I realize that I’m running a little bit late for my lunch plans with Matt. Drat! I hope Matt didn’t leave without me, although I wouldn’t blame him if he did.
I burst out of my pod, ready to sprint off to the cafeteria when I spot Matt. He’s casually leaning against the wall of my pod as if he has all the time in the world.
“Well hello Miss Char. Fancy meeting you here. Running fashionably late are we?” he asks dryly.
“As always, dearie. Are you ready to go old chap?” I respond in a fake British accent.
“Oh, I’d just be delighted to accompany you to our luncheon,” he says in a matching accent. Together we make our way to the kitchen, occasionally stopping to make a comment in a phony accent.
Gus hands us our lunch; then we sit down at our table. “So what do you have next on the agenda?” Matt starts off by asking.
“Not much. I have to practice the piano,” I reply.
“Sweeet. I have to practice the cello. We can have a jam sesh. Plus you can show me where the music room is…” he says.
“Awesome. Then I’m done for the day. You?”
“I have a check-up at the doctors. Wanna come with me then we can hang out?” he asks.
“You just want me to be your tour guide,” I accuse jokingly to cover up my uneasiness.
“You caught me,” he says, putting his hands up in surrender. “But seriously, does that sound like a plan, Stan?” he asks in earnest.
“Sure,” I say. Ugh. I guess I’ll just have to be in the sitting room, but I do not like that forsaken place. I thought I’d never have to go there again. I must really like Matty.
We finish up lunch too soon, and walk to the music room. I sit down at the piano bench and warm up with scales while Matt tunes up his cello. Then we have, as Matt called it earlier, a jam session. I’m not too good at freestyling it, but luckily, he is- like really really good. I just play through various tunes and he improvises a matching part.
He allows the music to lead the way. It’s instinct. He really feels the beat. The music comes alive and flows through him. He is one with the cello. After who knows how long, we take a breather. “Wow Matty, where’d you learn to play like that?” I exclaim.
“I don’t know, Char. It just happens,” he answers while wiping the excess rosin off of his instrument.
“Boy, I wish I could play the piano like that!” I reply. I love playing the piano, I really do, but the passion he has for the cello makes me feel like an amateur.
Unfortunately the time has come- the dreaded doctors appointment is upon us. I’m anxious and it’s not even my appointment. I’d prefer that Matt not meet the crazy version of me, so I try to keep my nervousness pushed down. I hope none of the nurses carry out their revenge by telling him about my freak-outs. I wouldn’t put it past them.
Not catching on to my hesitancy, Matt packs up his cello and exits the room. He must realize that I’m not following him, because he pops his head back in the room. “You coming slowpoke?” he lightly teases.
Swallowing my dread, I force my legs to move. I mess up his hair on my way out the door. I stick my tounge out at him and respond with “Who are you calling slowpoke?”
By the time we get to the hospital, I’m wishing that I was anywhere but here. But I just ball my hands into fists and walk into the lobby like I own the place… sorta. While Matt checks in, I busy myself looking for an absolutely enthralling magazine.
I settle on a National Geographic. It’s not the most engrossing or riveting, but it’ll have to do. Matt’s name is called and he heads out with a nurse. Waiting is actually pretty uneventful. I read about the history of space travel and before I know it, Matt is returning into the lobby area.
“How’d it go?” I ask on the way out.
“Not too bad. I had a really extensive medical examination last week in preparation for my trip here, so there wasn’t much to do.
“Good. I hate the doctors office!” I burst out, finally expressing my feelings.
“No,” he says in an over-the-top shocked voice. I guess my half-butt attempt at bravery wasn’t very convincing. Oh well, I can check actress off of my possible career list. Darn.
We spend the rest of the day in the green house. We take a break for lunch, of course, then return to our spot. Yesterday I downloaded a book on my tablet that helps us identify plants, so we spend lots of time classifying plants. It sounds boring, but we made it into a competition: who can identify the plants first? Not to brag, but I won.
We took special care to leave before the sprinklers go off. This time I walked Matt back to his room; it was my turn. “Bye Matty. Same thing tomorrow? Except you can surprise me with donuts this time,” I hint.
“Hahaha. Good one Charles. See you tomorrow,” he responds.
“G’Night mate,” I say with an Australian accent. I hear him snort before the door closes.
I walk over to my room and check another day off of my calendar. The rest of the week flits by in a similar fashion. Until finally the day before my graduation arrives: Wednesday.
