On My Rainy Days

Chapter 1: Sunshine in the Winter

*alarm clock went off*

"Wh-what? It's 6:30 AM already? Ugh!"

I jumped out of bed to get ready for school. It was, after all, the first day of my first ever semester in college, and I had class at 9 AM! And even if it wasn't the first day of college, even if it was meeting the president instead, I knew I would still be late because that's just how I am. I had to wake up two hours or so earlier because I tend to slack off in the morning, and even with two hours to spare, I still somehow end up late most of the time.

"I am not gonna be late today. I am not gonna be late today!"

I went out of my room and smelled the scent of frying bacon engulfing the hallway. I went to the dining room only to find my mom cooking in the kitchen. What a nice first day of school for me that even my mother, who rarely cooks, was making breakfast for me. On the table were plates of food. There were links of sausages, sunny sides, and even fried rice. I poured myself some orange juice and started picking up some of her cooking and gently placing them on my plate.

"Isabelle, do you have everything you need for today? Make sure to have everything ready before you leave the house. I don't want you calling me on the phone asking me to fetch you something you forgot. Okay?"

"Yes mom. I got it."

Do you ever get that feeling where you're really excited but also scared at the same time, and you just don't know what to do about feeling that way? That's pretty much what I was feeling that morning. I was a newbie. I didn't make a lot of friends ever since I moved to America. For all I know, I was the foreigner who couldn't relate to people her age. On top of that, I was really shy and reserved. Despite being that way, I repeatedly told myself that I can do this. I can go to college and handle it well. I gave myself that pep talk throughout the day and even as I showered.

As I stepped out of the shower area, I took a good look at my bare face. I stood there for a few minutes as I locked eyes with my own reflection. My dark brown hair fell wet and stringy down my shoulders. For someone who don't go out a lot, I was pretty tan. I used to like my bottoms, but they made my body disproportionate considering I was lacking in the breast department. I mean, I looked really bad without makeup. My eyebrows are all over the place... my cheeks are too fat, and it made my small and flat nose looked even more squished and button-y than it already was... not to mention my teeth. I had to think up of a way to hide my yellow crooked teeth as I talked. I took a good look at myself again and let go a deep sigh. I could not change what was in front of me, really. It was better to just keep going.

My stepfather, Bill, drove me to school like we all agreed. My mom was too afraid to drive, so he had to drive us from one place to another and compromised just so everyone could get to where they should be. We did not talk a lot, so we just sat silently throughout the entire trip with the occasional small talk.

"So, first day of college, huh? How are you feeling?"

"Mixed feelings. Mostly scared. Anxious."

"You'll do great. You'll feel scared at first, but once you get acclimated, you'll be fine."

"Thanks. I hope so."

The trip from home to school was probably one I would not forget. It was snowing. Big white cotton-like particles fell from the sky, and everything was pretty much covered in thick sheets of snow. I did not know what to feel about that. I used to like snow when I first saw it, but after a while, I started to get bored of it and hated it whenever we had to go somewhere and had to walk from a parking lot to someplace. I could not believe I would be doing that twice a week now. And I heard that we are having five inches this winter as well, which, to me, was very pleasant news.

Bill dropped me off at the library. I still had an hour to kill, so I thought I'd hang around the library and explore. The snow was falling harder, and it was getting cold even inside the library. It was almost empty there. There were only a few around that I could count them with my fingers. I walked with caution, not wanting people to see me. I briskly walked between the aisles, browsing the shelves for something I was interested in reading. After spending a ridiculous amount of searching, I just picked a random book when I heard someone yelling.

"What do you mean you don't have this book? It's the first day. Why would it be unavailable?"

"Sir, I apologize, but I double checked the online ㅡ"

"Edward does not have time for this crap! Edward needs this damn book this instant!"

"Sir, I would talk to the librarian for you if you wish, I honestly cannot find ㅡ"

"Do I look like I care? I thought I am in a library, eh?"

Being the occasional nosy person that I was, I peaked through the spaces of the shelves to see what was going on.

"Look here buddy, I am getting impatient with you." The man taunted.

 I opened a packet of cookie and started munching on it as I listen to the heated conversation.  

"I do not know if you are lacking in the comprehension department or you just have underdeveloped neurons. No matter how many times you yell at me, it is not gonna make your book magically appear, now, wouldn't it? So go on, yell away."

The man flinched and was silent for a moment. He looked as if he was lost for words.

"Oooh... boy you sure did shut him up with that comeback! You show him!" I thought to myself.

I did not realize that I was actually balling my fist and cheering silently for that desk person whatever like an oblivious idiot. I took another bite of my cookie.

"I could get your arrogant ass fired."

"Uh-huh. You can try."

The man angrily walked away, and out the door, he went. My feet stayed planted in the spot I was at. I could not believe what I had just seen. An unexpected event on my first day, and not a good one as well. I felt really bad for that assistant, and I wanted to comfort him. I just did not know how to without giving away that I eavesdropped. Nevertheless, I mustered the courage to do so and walked over to the desk.

"Good morning, how may I help you?" He said in a low, lifeless voice.

"Uhh, hi!" I said in a high-pitched voice that sounded more awkward than usual. He looked at me, a bit confused.

"I saw what happened."

"Oh, you did? Yeah, well, I am sorry you had to see that."

"No, no. Actually, he was at fault there. I am sorry you had to experience that and early in the morning, too..."

"I appreciate your concern. I sure do hope I don't see him again."

"Well, I am sure he has underdeveloped neurons to even find his way back here."

He let out a giggle.

"You heard that? I thought that was pretty nerdy."

"I thought it was witty! Although, I am sure he didn't get you when you told him it."

"Too bad."

I reached for something in my pocket. I knew I had an extra packet of cookie left, so I slid it across the desk.

"Here. It's my favorite cookie. You can have it, just to feel a bit better."

He looked at the cookie and then at me. He probably thought I was either joking or just plain childish. Nevertheless, he giggled and smiled at me.

"Thank you. I do feel a bit better."

"You're welcome! I have to go to class now. I'll see you around." I replied. I looked at my wristwatch and gasped. "I am running late!!!"  And as I started running towards the door, I heard him shout.

"Hey! Wait! What's your name?"

"Isabelle!"

I was in a hurry that I forgot to ask his name. As I got outside, it wasn't snowing anymore. The sun that hid behind the icy clouds started to come out.