Moment: Lost in the Past

Chapter 7

“Hey, Ashton Irwin. And you are?”

So his name is Ashton, huh?

“Isabelle Matthews. Call me Izzy, though.”

Ashton is that guy from McDonald’s. You know, the one wearing a fedora and told me about where I could buy all my supplies? He has long, curly hair and he has deep indents in both cheeks that appear when he smiles. He’s working part-time in that same company but he also has the same benefits. And when he would graduate, he’s already landed a spot here and I have to apply.

He is also chemistry major, and currently is in his last year.

We began our tour from the bottom. First floor is the samples-receiving floor. Sorting samples and preparing them to be taken for analysis takes place here. The second floor is the biological laboratory. They all deal with all stuffs regarding biology, obviously. This is also where the break room and cafeteria is located but separate of course. The third through fourth floors consist of the chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories. But Ashton said, since I am still an intern, I will mostly be in third floor. My job is to sort samples, label them and identify the tests needed to be conducted for them, and a little bit of analysis, too. Pretty hard, but he said he will be my guide and supervisor all throughout my experience.

“So, I’ll see you this afternoon, yeah?” He asks when we are descending back after the tour.

“Pardon me?” I ask.

“Yeah. I will have to call you to take you to your new apartment. Speaking of, I need to have your number so I can contact you.”

“You can just tell me where it is. You don’t have to bother yourself, Sir.”

“Don’t call me sir, Izzy. It’s too formal. Just call me Ash, I’m more comfortable with it. And I must insist. You’re not yet familiar and you need passes to enter the building.”

“Okay.” We exchanged numbers and agreed to meet by the Chemistry building later at 5 this afternoon. Just in time for the end both of our classes.

“How about some lunch? Before you head back to the school.”

“Thanks, Ash. But I have a class this 1 and it’s about 12. I have to head back.”

“Okay then. So, uh, I’ll see you later, yeah?” He smiles formally. I just nod. We separate ways when we reach the ground floor. He went to the samples area, and I head to the parking lot.

I called Andie when I reach my car and she is also excited about my internship. She squeals and shrieks and giggles as much as I did while I told her about all my benefits. And just like me, she is also blown away. She said she may come and visit me one day. Sounds like a plan.

Heading back to the campus, I pass by McDonald’s drive through before I drive back to the dorm. I haven’t had breakfast, I couldn’t skip lunch, too. I could drive while I eat anyway.

When I arrive at our room, I change my blazers in a white cardigan and redo my braid. I also remove my glasses and use the clear contacts I bought yesterday. I wipe the little smears of eyeliner away and apply some lip balm. I think I am passed the lip gloss-lipstick time. I am going to class, and not a party.

I am walking my way to the first class I will have to attend today. It’s a chemistry lecture class and I already like it. After all, it’s my major subject, isn’t it?

From there, I can come by our dorm to change or I can grab some snacks before I head to my last class at four. It’s history. I hate it.  I already have enough memorization to do, and now this. When I arrive there, the classroom is already half full. I find my seat a little bit at the back and a group of jocks whistled as I walk past them. I ignored them and take my seat.

“Hey!” I jump when someone beside me pokes my arm.

“Cory. Hey!” He smiles and I smile back.

“We’re on the same class, huh?”

“I didn’t know you still have this subject. Aren’t you past this one?” I inquire.

“Oh, no. Our adviser before made us trade this subject for a finance course.”

I nod and he smiles again. The professor arrived and behind him is…

“Fluke.”