The Experience Buddy [Completed]

Chapter 3

When Davin and I wished for air conditioning yesterday, we sort of forgot to wish more specifically for air conditioning without a weird lecturer. He, who insisted that his students all call him Sir Thomas. Not Mister Thomas, not just Sir, but Sir Thomas. Despite that, you could really tell that Sir Thomas is actually very knowledgeable and well read. Maybe it was his intelligence that built the current bubble he is living in. Did they not say that geniuses tend to have quirks?

A month flew by and I was all settled in my new environment. Sometimes I would hang out with Nat and gang, minus Hero half the time, and would have lunch or dinner with them. Most of the time, I would be with Davin. Till now, I really haven't quite figured out why a social butterfly like him would want to be around someone like me. I could see my plan to keep a low profile all throughout college get flushed further and further down the drain.

I still keep in contact with Madison and Frank by updating them about what has been happening in our whatsapp group chat while they update me on theirs every day. From the party night to my Introduction to Old English Language and Literature lecturer, Sir Thomas, I told them everything.

~*Madi*~: I guess Stanford ain't as dull as I thought.

E.L.: I'm still on the fence on whether this is a good or bad surprise

Frank: (shrugs)

The upcoming Student Activities Fair was creating a lot of buzz. All day and night, I could overhear people discussing which club they want to try out and join. I was no exception. One week prior to the fair, I had searched the platform for the list of student clubs but was disappointed to find that there was no book club, no writer's club and no photography club. The closest would be Arts, Media and Entertainment. As for Davin, his choice was easy, there was nothing more suitable for him than the GSB Show club.

"Why don't you write in and propose to start a new club?" Davin said as a matter of factly while we were having lunch at the cafeteria the next day.

"Sounds like a great idea, but I am not sure who would follow a year 1 for a club president." I sighed.

"Uh uh, it's not about the who, it's about the what." Davin winked and clicked his tongue.

The day of the Fair came and went. As expected, Davin joined the school's Show Choir and as for me, I did not join any. I decided to start one on my own and to do so, I need to submit my proposal to the school. First, I would need to think of the kind of activity or activities for the new club.

~*Madi*~: How about a bookworm club? Where people read and write? You love writing.

Frank: Agree.

E.L.: That sounds appealing to me, but does that sound appealing to the masses?

~*Madi*~: I'm sure there are many people who share the same interests as you.

Frank: How about photography?

~*Madi*~: Right!!! You love taking photographs too right? The club can organise showcases and trips to galleries.

And so, the brainstorming begins.

Two weeks later, Sir Thomas announced near the end of his class that the annual writing contest organized by the English department will begin soon. More information on how to register and deadline to submit by will be up on the notice board within the next two days. He encouraged all of us to participate. Hoping to provide the students some motivation, there will be a prize of 5000 dollars in cash awarded to the winner.

"5 thousand bucks?" I gasped. "There's so many things I could get with 5 thousand bucks."

"Me too, Hun, I would get a new hair dryer-" Before Davin could continue with his list, I cut him off.

"Don't you already have a hair dryer?"

"Well, I don't have a Dyson hair dryer!"

-----

After dinner, I was in my room on a video call with Madison and Frank. We did some catching up since the last time we really spoke to each other (more of me and them) was more than a week ago. I filled them in on the upcoming writing contest and my decision to participate.

"Of course you should!" Madison exclaimed.

"Win that prize money and treat us to a buffet." Frank said, earning him a nudge from Madison's elbow.

"What about the club you intend to set up?" Madison asked.

"That will have to be on hold for now." I answered.

"So what will you write about?" Frank asked.

"There's no restrictions on the genre but there is a minimum of twenty-five thousand words." I sighed.

"We've read your works in high school." Madison said.

"They are good." Frank chipped in.

"I think you write best about things you actually experienced before." Madison added.

"Comedy? My life is a joke." I shrugged, recalling back to a few events that I wanted erased from history so badly. Then, I also remembered my high school memories with Madison and Frank then getting into Stanford, making my parents feeling proud. "Okay, maybe not entirely."

The rest of the call was a bombardment of ideas - from Frank suggesting supernatural horror to Madison proposing the idea of a fantasy love story. The call then ended with 'slice of life' emerging as the top contender.

-----

"How about Baywatch but you double the number of hot babes." Hugh suggested.

"Add Hugh in and your story will need mature ratings." Cheryl snorted while everyone else, including Hugh himself, laughed.

"Can't retort that." Hugh chuckled.

"How about using the winter break to explore and experience new stuff?" Nat grinned as she turned to look at Cheryl.

"A trip?" Cheryl faced Nat with the same grin.

"Invite accepted." Hugh raised his hand for a high five.

"Who said you are invited?" Cheryl rolled her eyes while Hugh just shrugged and then used his other hand to self five.

As there is still some time before Winter break, everyone agreed that it would be too long of a wait so we have decided to plan for a short trip over the thanksgiving weekend. The food on the table was no longer touched as everybody got so excited about the idea of getting away, even if it's just for three days and two nights.