A Million Heartbeats

Day One

As he walked to the college’s entrance, he noticed how people were talking and smiling, it was obvious they have known each other for years. Robert was the only one walking alone; on his mind were his friends back in England, the ones he had known since primary school.

“Hello I’m Simon, did your parents make you walk alone to school too?”. Robert had this flashback of that little kid standing in the hall who had been the first one that talked to him on his first day of school,and who over the years had become his best friend.

Once he was inside the building he could easily perceive all the differences between his old school and this one. The colors in the walls, the locker rooms on the hallways, the way most of the students were dressed, the way they talked, sometimes he heard words which meaning was unknown to him. Some of them would look him in the eyes and some wouldn't even bother to say excuse me or I’m sorry as they pushed him trying to make their way to their classroom.

He was holding a little piece of paper on his hand that had written the number 937 to indicate his locker number. He continued walking as he looked for his locker and ignoring most of the people on his way.

“934,935,936 and here it is”. He whispered as he found it. He took the key out of his pants front pocket and opened the old grey colored locker. It was dusty and it had a faded sticker that read “Keep Out”. Robert smiled as he saw it. It was almost like if it could read his mind, he didn't like people to look into his belongings. He placed a book inside and a package of winter mint gum, which was his favorite, he liked that strong and brain-freeze kind of sensation every time he was chewing it.

Then the bell rang to indicate the students that  they should go to their classrooms. He closed his locker and walked looking for room 305. He gave away the fact that he was new as he kept looking at all the rooms looking for number 305.

“Can I help you son?  You seem to be lost, are you new here?”. A nice white-haired lady asked him.

“Yes, I’m trying to find classroom number 305”. Robert replied her with a low tone of voice like a shy kid that is ashamed of asking something.

“Oh yes, this is right at the end of the hall to the left, is Mrs. Ferguson’s classroom, I must say what a lovely accent you have, are you English?”. She smiled as she placed her arm on his shoulder.

“Yes, I’m from England, pardon me but I must go now”. He replied to her as he start to walk away.

He walked all the way down the hall and turned to the left. As he walked in, some of the students were already sitting on their chairs and others were chatting.  He looked around for an empty chair and hung his backpack on the side. He clasped his hands and looked around, all those papers pinned to the wall, the american flag on one side of the white board, the strange faces surrounding him, then he turned away to see out the window. Those birds flying free, spreading their wings, feeling the wind crashing in their heads. He felt jealousy of them, there was nothing he wished more than to be freed from that strange world he was forced to be in. It was almost like he didn't existed no one seemed to notice his presence as a new student, everyone was so busy on their conversations about what they would do for the weekend that was just one day away. Until Mrs. Ferguson entered to the classroom.

“Good morning everyone”. She greeted her students as she closed the door.

“Morning Mrs. Ferguson”. They all said.

Robert looked at her. Was she really his teacher?, she seemed to be the same age as everyone else in the room, her green dress and black scarf made her look even younger, but her friendly smile as she greeted her students seemed to give Robert some sort of comfort.