Set Her Free

15.

By 11 am, we were all gathered around Levi and Zach who were our tour guides for the day. They gave us a little background history about the university, the usual 'it was founded in 1701', 'its an ivy league school', nothing we didn't already know. Levi spoke for so long, showing us the important and well known places on campus like the Sterling Memorial Library.

"If you don't already know, which I'm certain you do, this is the largest library among all Yale universities. It was designed by well known architect James Gamble Rogers and it was completed in 1930," Levi went silent for a minute, allowing everyone to take in the Gothic architecture of the building. I was so carried away by the beauty of it that I didn't even realize Zach was standing behind me the whole time.

"What are you doing here, shouldn't you be in front with Levi ?" I said to him, turning around and trying to keep my balance from him being so close to me.

"If you don't want me to keep you company just let me know Liz Anne," he places his hand over his chest, "I will try not to be sad."

"Its okay you can keep me company, I know you can't stay away from me for too long, I have that charm," I replied cockily and turned back to face the Library. We both stood there in silence for a few more minutes before we continued walking to our next destination which was the Ingalls Rink located on the corner of Prospect and Sachem Street. With every building we passed my fascination just grew more. Each corner gave me more of a reason not to ever leave and go somewhere else. Everything and everyone, including the broad figure standing behind me who I could barely but surely feel brush against my arm every now and then, made me fall in love with the university and forget about every reason I had to make me not ever want to come back to the States.

"The Ingalls Rink is a hockey facility, home of the Bulldog men hockey team since 1958 and Bulldog women hockey since 1977, sorry ladies," he whispered and a few people laughed whilst some others whispered some comments among themselves.

"Its known as the 'Yale Whale' which the reason is quite obvious," Levi turns and points to the obvious whale design of the building, "and this was designed by another renowned architect, Eero Saarinen. The facility was named after David S. Ingalls to honor him for being the captain of the Yale hockey team twice back in the days."

Whilst Levi continued talking, I pulled out my phone and took a few pictures of the building before giving Zach my phone to take some pictures of me as well, "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," he smiled.

Our walk back to Cross campus was way shorter and when we reached, everyone split up to the various stands that were out on display showing different clubs in the university and other activities. For the upcoming law students, we had an orientation with one of the Professors of the law faculty so Zach and I walked over to the hall where over 50 people were seated. I took a seat at the back and Zach went down to the front to assist.

At 2 pm, orientation was over and everyone was roaming around, bumping loud music, dancing in groups, just trying to pass time. Zach decided that he wanted to take me out for lunch to Maria's Diner and Bar where he always goes to spend time with his friends. This way I'd get to cure my hunger and also meet new people.

"Liz this is Lucas," he pointed to the light skin guy sitting opposite me. He barely even made any eye contact before giving a little wave and sinking into his seat, then Zach pointed to the girl  sitting next to him who seemed more extroverted and bubbly, "and that is Emma, Lucas' girlfriend," she gave me a smile before leaning over the table to hug me. After five minutes, Levi joined us at the table and we all ordered our lunch. Whilst we waited, we all engaged in conversation, Lucas and Emma asking me questions about Switzerland and why I moved there in the first place. The conversation got deeper, but I never went into detail about everything. All the had to know was family issues made me leave. The entire time, I never even heard a word come out of Zach's mouth, he was just sitting next to me listening to me talk about Leysin and Ari whilst everyone asked me so many questions.