The Life of a Pessimist

Chapter 1: Orientation

No One's POV

A sudden, bright light flashed that made the person sitting on the chair close her eyes for a spilt second. She clicked her tongue afterwards, not used to being in this kind of situation.

"Will you stop taking sudden pictures? My eyes hurt from the flash."

"Sorry." Another person replied.

She nods. "Yeah, okay. Just start."

The shuffling of papers can be heard from behind the filming camera.

"Name?"

"Simonette Ellison."

"Age?"

"17 years old."

"Year and Section?"

"Grade 11 Section 14."

A small sigh can be heard after Simonette had given the basic information. "Last question and please be as detailed as you can be. How can you describe Hildred Esmé Anson? And who is she to you?"

Simonette smiles at the question. "Hea? Well, she isn't someone who you thought you knew. As they always say: don't judge a book by its cover..."

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Simonette Ellision's POV

New school, new opportunity.

But to me? This is going to be a pain making new contacts to new kinds of people.

I looked from left to right, looking around if I knew someone from my previous school. I know there will be a few number but I haven't seen them yet. It was all a speculation of mine so I guess it will be understandable if I don't see them around.

Bornoneo Estellie Schemiller Health Sciences and Medicine School, huh? Quite a long and well-thought-of name. It sounds German but I could be wrong. The BESHSMS campus is as spectacular as its name (not the short name they are calling themselves though). Huge buildings of different kind of courses in each. Well if you have a reputation of being one of the top universities in the country, you ought to make your school look as it was described.

I am just walking around without a care towards all the people around me. I did sign at the papers in  the registration counter a while ago. Walking around to see where I will be spending years to study is something I need to do.

I must say that the activity centre of this school is huge. There are huge bleachers at the side, which led me to the conclusion that this building can also hold indoor tournaments of the students. Nine sets of chairs from the front to the back were lined up on the carpet-covered court. The roof above is not straight, nor is the whole building shaped like a regular rectangle like most. This centre looks like a huge circle from outside and the roof is concave when looking inside. It is covered by long, white fabrics meeting all in the centre of the roof, making it a permanent ornament.

Stretching a bit, I decided that I want to see some more of the buildings closer. Plus, the library is also great here, at least from what I heard from some of the chattering college students that I passed by ages ago. I took my phone. 08:30. And here I thought I can tour the library. Why haven't I thought of that before instead? I sighed. 

"Mon-mon!" A voice called. I blinked my eyes. I thought no one would be here except for me.

I turned around and blinked my eyes. Ahhh... and I forgot my glasses. I squint a little and I felt a smile surface on my face. Finally, a companion. She is waving at me. I waved back and made my way towards her. 

"Hea!" I called back. She met me halfway and we hugged. Aww... she looked so nervous. Looks like she isn't used to crowds yet. "I have no idea you are here too! When did you take your entrance exams?"

She smiled at me. Yeah, I took the exams before her so I have no idea when she took hers. "I took the exam last March. I was one of the last batch. I actually forgot you are here too. 'Know anyone else with us here?"

"There's Hagen, Doretta, Joanna and Valerie. You know, those people from the city's branch? Not sure if they are already here though." I respond. Then, I turned to the side. I have a feeling that the program is just about to start. Then, I hummed. I saw seats perfect for us just now. "Let's go and find seats. I am sure there will be more people later. Trust me."

She seemed to have gotten my message across. Great, I have someone I know with me. I picked a row in the middle of the third set of the column of chairs. Then, I sat. She sits beside me. Looks like she was looking around for familiarity too. We almost had the same goal in mind, if I won't add in the fact that I thought of going to the library to tour around. What can I say? Books are great company.

"Students, Parents and Guardians, please take a seat. The program orientation is about to start." a voice announced through the microphone. Ha! 'Knew it~ Following my gut instincts is always the way to go.

I watched as Hea looked around. I don't have any idea when I have the habit of just staring at her, trying to observe her. I know, it is kind of weird for a close friend of hers, like I am, to go about like that. But... something is different. Actually, the feeling has always been there but now, it is stronger. I may have been able to read her like a book before but now, I realised that I couldn't.

She took the guide from the teacher and stumbled for a response of thanks. Mind you, she isn't shy. She just doesn't want to talk when a huge crowd is around her. Makes her really nervous. Ughhh... I don't even want to remember how she hyperventilated and almost fainted when she was about to deliver a declamation piece back in grade school...

2 hours later...

"That concludes the first part of the program. Students, please look for your name at the list and make sure you will line up according to your section. The parents will stay for the separate orientation." Another voice announced. Oh... that got her nervous again. I turn to Esmé (Hea) and all she did is smile and nod to me. Yep, definitely nervous.

"Looks like this is where we part." Esmé says, making a small 'heh' sound afterwards.

I just shook my head at her antic. "Mhm... make friends, Esmé. See you around!" And that were the last words we exchanged before parting.

I watched her made her way towards the registration counter. I don't need to do the same, since I already saw which section I will be in. And... it is too bad that we won't be in the same section. I guess I should've said good luck to her instead. I know she will make friends because that is her nature.

She still looked nervous to me but I know she can do it. But I will keep my eye on her, in case she won't be able to. But I trust her. She was able to get past that thesis last year; I ought to give her more belief that she can do it.

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No One's POV

Simonette paused. She turned to the side. "Needless to say, she is always nervous in anything that has to do with crowds. But she is friendly. I wasn't able to talk to her until the end of semester though. She is a great, close friend of mine. And vice versa. So much energy, that fellow." She let out a small laugh at that.

A hum can be heard. "All right. Thank you for participating. This will be of great help."

"You're welcome! Anytime, so long as you won't use that info on something else." Simonette waved her hand, dismissively. "Feel free to ask me again sometime. I will be glad that I helped you begin."

She gathered her things from the nearby table. Then, she turned to them. She gave one last wave and a smile before she finally left.

They stayed behind the filming camera. It was still rolling. "Day 1 end. Filming of information complete. Simonette Ellison. End film."

The camera filmed its last frame for the day.