The Freshman

Chapter 3 The Assistant

Kath POV

   I meet up with my friends in the kitchen.

"Kath ?? Is everything okay ??" Kaitlyn

"I .... I don't think so. My family is broke. What started off  as the best week of my life just turned into a nightmare."

"We can't lose you ! We've ....  We've  bonded."  Zack

"I guess there's only one thing to do now. I have to find a way to stay. I'm not going down without a fight !"

"Hell yeah !! That's the spirit !!" Zack

"Maybe you could get .... A job ?" Tyler

"No offense, but tuition runs like $50k  a year here. Minimum wage isn't gonna cover that." Abbie

"There's gotta be some way you can stay .... I mean, I'm here on a football scholarship." Chris

"I don't think I'm exactly what the football team is looking for."

"Maybe not, but I'm sure there are other scholarships available." Chris

"Not a bad idea, Chris. It might be worth a trip to the financial aid office to check it out !! I was just about to leave anyway, I'll go with you  !!" Kaitlyn

"That'd be great. I could really use a friend there with me ...."

   As I turn to follow kaitlyn out the door, Chris catches me by the arm.

"You're  going now ??" Chris

"Of course  ! There's no time to waste. A girl's life is on the line." Kaitlyn

"Kaitlyn's being a little dramatic, but .... it is pretty urgent."

  Chris glances at kaitlyn and turns quickly back at me.

"I just ... I feel like we've barely gotten to know each other. And if this is going to be one of our last days together... At least let me walk with you over to the financial aid office ?? We can stop on the way for coffee or something." Chris

"A coffee might not be the worst idea. It'll give us the energy to face whatever horrors await in the financial aid office of teroooooor !!! I can always meet you there." Kaitlyn

"So ?? Let me walk you ??" Chris

"Well .... I could use the pick me up. Honestly, spending time with you sounds like just what I need to get ready for this meeting."

"Perfect.  Coffee's on me." Chris

"Don't keep me waiting too long, okay ?? See you in a bit  !!" Kaitlyn

   Me and Chris head out of the suite and down to the bustling quad.

  As me and Chris step into the quad, there's  a moment of quite between us.

"So, how are you feeling about everything  ??" Chris

"Honestly, kind of whiplash-y. I feel like I just got here. I haven't  actually gotten to do anything yet !!"

"Yeah ?? What is it you wanted to do ??" Chris

"I hoped I'd  at least get .... my school ID !!"

Chris Laughs. 😕

"Seriously  ?? That's  what you're  worried about missing out on ??" Chris

"I know it sounds lame it's just ... without an ID, I wouldn't  really have any proof that I was ever here."

"Hmm ...." Chris

   Chris steers me toward the statue in the center of campus, lining me up