Always Connected

Chapter 12- Sleep

The orientation week has flown by so fast. I'm thankful for all of the orientation events I signed up for since it made me forget about Mason for a while. It's already Friday and people are talking about the numerous parties in town. Cole, the guy from the hotel swimming pool, he invited Paige and I to a party his friends are hosting. I'm still not keen on the idea of partying with a bunch of strangers, but at least I don't have to sit alone in my room doing nothing. And if I ever feel uncomfortable or bored I can just talk to Paige or Melanie.

After that day we went out to get boba I became closer to Melanie and we started to talk. Paige still doesn't like her, which is why I didn't tell her that I invited Melanie to the party. She's going to flip out, when she finds out what I did. But I'll have to deal with that later on today.

Paige throws her pillows onto her bed and straightens out her duvet.  "Ready for breakfast," she asks yawning. We stayed up all night yesterday to plan out or schedule for our weekly classes. Like on Mondays I start with linear algebra and differential equations course. And on Thursdays, I start with International economics. Majoring in economics was my dad's idea, I wanted to study musical arts since I never got a reply from Julliard, but he insisted that I should study economics and that music was a side course, so I obeyed as usual. "Econ is going to help you in the future when you're running the family business" I remember him say all proudly. I've always known that I never wanted to run ITB Enterprises. But I never had the guts to tell him.

"Where you wanna go for breakfast," I ask shaking the thought of ITB out of my head.

"Annenburg will do since we're going to the mall right after."

"The mall? Why are we going to the mall?" The confused face I give her makes her shake her head in disbelief.

"We have to buy a dress for the party," she arrogantly replies like I should have known already. I roll my eyes at her and stick my tongue out at the same time.

We head over to Annenberg hall and buy ourselves some breakfast consisting of a cream cheese bagel and a fruit salad. The hall is just what I expected. It looks just like the great hall from Harry Potter as everyone says it does. Students are gathered around the different tables talking with friends and roommates. I even spot Amelia, my hallmate.

We take a seat at a table near the entrance since it's the only table that isn't taken. The lighting in the hall is warm and makes it feel comforting in a way. Harvard is known for how "ancient" it is, and you can surely tell from the decorations. Stone heads are surrounding the hall and there's a big glass mural at the very top of the roof.

Just as I'm about to eat my fruit salad my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. I dig the phone out from the tight skinny jeans and see a picture of my dad, making me know that it's him whos calling.

"Hey, dad," I greet as usual. I haven't talked to him since he left a week ago. Of course he's texted me a few times, to see how I was doing but nothing else other than that.

"Goodmorning munchkin. I just wanted to check up on you. How's your week been?" Just by hearing his voice, I can tell that he's extremely tired. The voices in the background let me know that he's at the office. I hope he didn't fall asleep at his desk again. That has happened a few times before.

"My weeks been great. I've just been going around campus doing the events Paige and I signed up for... So hows your week been? And please just tell me the truth, or else I'm going to ask Cassandra,"

He sighs and sucks in a deep breath. "My weeks been... tiresome. We're just negotiating with some buyers in Sweden, and let's just say that we're not on the same page."

"How many hours did you sleep last night?" I ask a little bit on the harsh side.

He sighs again which makes me worried. I look up at Paige for some reassurance but she's fully occupied with her bagel and looks likes someone who's about to fall asleep.

Since he isn't answering I have to draw the words out of him. "Dad. Answer me,"

"I took a nap at the office couch right before calling you," he answers with an ashamed tone to his voice.

"For how long?"

"... An hour," Did he just say an hour? He's been up all night.

"Dad. You literally just did an all-nighter and only slept for one hour afterward. If you don't go home right now to sleep, I'm taking the next flight home to make you,"

"Honey don't worry about me. I'll take a nap again in a bit,"

I know I'm a bad daughter for saying this, but I know he'll listen to me if I tell him this. "Dad, if mom saw you right now I know she'll be very disappointed. You've always been so invested in the company and never had time to be yourself and make decisions that helped you and not the company. Do something good for you and take a break from work just for a short period. I think your workers can manage the company alone for a day or two."

"Some other day, I have a lot of important meetings today. Thanks honey  I love you. Be careful when you walk around town, and tell Paige I say hi." He ends the call abruptly and I'm irritated at him for not taking care of himself.

Paige is singing along to Taylor Swifts new song on the radio as I'm tapping along on the steering wheel. I don't feel like going to the party tonight after the conversation I had with my dad. And I certainly don't feel like shopping for dresses right now.

"How about this one," Paige asks putting a black bodycon dress up against me and taking a step back to look at the fit. We've been in multiple clothing shops and still haven't found anything I can wear. Paige found herself a silky maxidress in a beautiful dark blue color.

"No... I don't have the curves for that." I reply blatantly.

"Let's just go find another store," she huffs irritated. We step out of the store and head to the nearest escalator.

At the center of the second floor, a beautiful piano is displayed. I admire the white color of it and the beautiful shiny keys.

Paige puts her arm around me and pads my shoulder. "Oh look, McKenna. A piano, I can ask the staff if you can get a go at it," Paige quotes my dad with a terrible attempt at a male voice.

"Not a chance." I laugh.

"Why not? Come on, people would love you playing." She pouts at me and puts her hands together in a praying position.

"No."

"Yes."

"No," I repeat.

"Please, just for me," she begs.

"Let's go before we end up in a fight," I say ending our banter.

"What about your dress?" she questions stopping me from walking.

"I'll just find something in my closet."