5-The spark of hatred
Haneul's pov
Adjusting to dorm life hasn't been as easy as I thought.
It's not surprising when all my life I've lived with my parents and now I'm all alone in a city I don't know and in a dorm with someone I don't like.
Gosh...just thinking about her...Alexandra annoys me. I was right about her, she's way too upbeat and she screams trouble.
The last few days she hasn't left me alone. I don't know what she didn't understand in the words I have no intention to be her friend. I thought I made it clear enough but I guess I was wrong.
She hasn't done anything bad so far other than annoying me. We have no reason to argue so far because I make sure to stay far away from her. We might be living in the same dorm but it doesn't mean we have to get along.
Like she does her own thing and I do mine. Things like cooking together or watching a movie together are something I wish would never be on the table.
How can people want to be so close to their roommates? Studying is way more important. We don't have time to do whatever we want.
I haven't been here for long and I can see how much people think University life is a time to do whatever you want. They think it's the perfect time to party and get drunk. The best time in their life apparently. You only live once I heard the other day and you're only young once.
Are they crazy? University is really important and so are their studies. It's a degree and diploma that's in their hands.
I'll never understand that kind of mindset. I came here to study hard without any interruption to become later on a neurosurgeon. Having fun is not on my mind.
Friends for me are seen as distractions. The only friend I have is Jonathan for a reason and he's as serious as me. The only reason why I could bother to get close to someone is if they can help me with my studies or can aid me in my future success. Obviously, Alexandra is not that.
I know the school paired us together so she can help get me used to being in a dorm and University life but honestly, I don't need that. I can do it on my own. I don't need someone to show me the city or the school, I can do it on my own. Like, I can pay for my stuff and I can visit the city on my own.
I don't know what Alexandra was thinking those days and what she thought when she first saw me but she better not think we could be friends. I have no time for that and besides no way am I associating myself with a girl like her.
She keeps trying to talk to me to help me and stuff and she tried to help me on Orientation day but I've decided to reject all her advances, I can't possibly have her raise her hopes.
Although I can tell it bothers her that I'm not the least bit friendly with her and I ignore her, she's still trying to do whatever her duty is.
Sure, I get the fact that it's nice your roommate is a senior and can help you but did I ask for that? No, and I'm afraid Alexandra is one of those who likes that idea.
I'm not surprised though, she seems to be the type to do that but unfortunately for her, I'm not the type of roommate, she hopes to become friends with.
For now, all I need to do is ignore her as much as possible and survive the whole year like that. That way I'll study well and everything will go well with my scholarship.
Enough about her, my roommate isn't the only thing going on in my life.
Yesterday was the orientation day, I don't typically like things like this but I got to know the campus a bit more, where my classes are and what to expect from Yale University. Ok, I had to meet people but that is not my main focus.
As much as orientation day was an introduction to Yale, today is the real day, it's my first class of the Fall semester.
Even though it's just an introduction, it's still a big deal. I got to be in my first University class.
Of course, for me, it's not important and I'm more interested in the diploma I'll get in the end but it's still that.
Those classes will be the same for the whole semester and I hope it's gonna be helpful. If the teacher is a serious one it will be helpful too.
Unfortunately, Jonathan is not in most of my classes as he's not in the same department as me, he's in the political science department.
It sucks but I knew he and I couldn't possibly share the same path, he's good enough to be my friend but we still aren't the same. It's still a miracle he got into Yale and decided to follow me here other side of the country.
We both know we are doing it for our futures but we know it's a plus we get to rely on each other by being in the same university. I would maybe go a bit crazy without anyone, ok I'm kidding, I would be perfectly fine, I can perfectly rely on myself.
He got used to the dorm life a bit faster than me. I can't believe his roommate actually likes him, not like that you know? They aren't the same but really, it's the fact that his roommate Chase is best friends with Alexandra.
Regardless, Jonathan is getting used to relying on himself which is good and I guess I do too. We already knew what we were getting into by studying on the other side of the country. This means we are living the adult life.
Oh well, it was coming sooner rather than later and I was ready for that kind of life even if others are busy drinking their ass off.
My parents think I'm too young for this kind of life as I haven't hit the age of 18 yet but still, I already was as independent as I could be back home.
Other than getting used to life in New Heaven, I found myself a job. Yeah, I knew I had to as soon as I did. I got myself a job in a small coffee shop right on the street of the University, it's perfect that way. I already got my first shifts and it's been...alright. Of course, I blocked all attempts of the employers to be friendly with me but other than that, working as a barista isn't all that bad. I could work there during my studies.
This morning Alexandra tried to offer me again to walk together to show me where my classes are but I bluntly rejected her. I've got no time for that and I want nothing to do with her. Besides, I'm already going with Jonathan because he wanted to. I could've gone on my own but at the very least we can walk together as we won't see each other often.
Apparently, Chase asked Jonathan but he refused because he's going with me. Chase had already previously shown Jonathan some places in the city and the campus as Jonathan told me.
Jonathan made me then promise or should I say threatened me to go with him this weekend so he could show me places. He always gets his way, the jerk. Ok, Johnny's not that bad, I'm just annoyed over that as I hate going out.
I leave the dorms and walk on sidewalks. Jonathan is not in the same building as he's a guy. So, I head to the boy's dormitory and text him. I don't want to wait after him but luckily he gets out in less than a minute.
"Hey! Ready for the first classes?"
"Yeah, but you know that it's only introductions?"
"I know, I know but it's still a big deal, it's still a big chapter in our lives and we get to meet others." That sours my mood.
"You're not gonna make any new friends and ditch me are you?" I say annoyed.
"Awh, why would I? I always stand by you. I'll never ditch you. Is this you saying you like me?" He smiles with his charming smile.
Hah...that used to distract me but not anymore.
"Stop saying nonsense like that. We have been over that a long time ago." I say bluntly and annoyed.
"Oh come on, I was just joking, why do you gotta be so cold-hearted?" Jonathan says annoyed.
"Cold-hearted? You're not any better. I just want you to stop bringing up the past."
"Why do you keep dodging it? If you say it's in the past, it shouldn't be bothering you, right?!" He says in a foul mood.
There...we are arguing again...it was a matter of time.
"I'll never forget it if you keep making me think about it!" I say furiously.
We both catch our breath as we look around to make sure no one hears us. If they did, they'd think we are a couple arguing or breaking up. Couple...gosh I hate that word.
"Seriously Haneul, I'm trying to put the past behind us but you're not helping at all. If it still bothers you that much, why didn't you tell me or let that happen?"
"I don't want to talk about it..."
"No, I get that but as much as it's in the past, it still hurts. We might be best friends relying on each other but we can't possibly forget the time we weren't." Jonathan says bluntly and is still in a foul mood.
I can't believe we are talking about this in the middle of the street in the morning before class...Ugh, why is he mentioning that...? I guess I have no choice but to talk about it.
"Why are you mentioning that? Seriously, Jonathan, I'll start thinking you still see me as more than a friend."
"How low of you to think of that, I don't harbour feelings for you like that, I'm your best friend that's what there is, you said it yourself."
"Yeah...and that's the truth there's nothing more to us. It wouldn't work out." I expect Jonathan to argue more but luckily he knows where he should stop.
We start walking in silence.
Even if we just fought, it doesn't mean we aren't friends anymore, we know better than that, our friendship survived even after that...
I really didn't want to talk about the fact we didn't always used to be best friends but I guess it couldn't be denied any longer.
——————-
I get into the class and look around for an empty seat despite the seats not being solo desks but long desks each row with multiple people seating on each. Unfortunately, there aren't any seats without someone next to it left.
I decide to settle down next to a girl who seems quiet as she isn't talking to someone.
I sit down and place down by things, she instantly looks at me. Ah, she seems reserved and a nerd like me.
"Um, hi, I'm Alisa Cunningham and...I'm in the biology department." She says awkwardly. Great...she's making conversation. As much as I want to ignore her, I don't think it'd be a good idea.
"Haneul Seong, in the neuroscience department," I say coldly and Alisa looks at me confused.
"Oh, neuroscience. I guess it's a class we share then."
"Yeah..."
Luckily she doesn't talk anymore. Others continue sitting down and getting to know each other. Not long after a teacher comes in.
"Hi, class, I'm Mr. Lachester and I'll be teaching you the anatomy of the body for your first semester. I'm sure you all heard the rules already and if you don't, ask someone else. Now I'll be going off on what you'll all learn during the entire semester." Others look all bored but I enjoy it already.
I generally liked Orientation Day yesterday but
the rules and how classes work were important, not meeting other students, I just ignored them, except Jonathan of course. I even refused Alexandra's help for the day.
Oh well, this class will be helpful as I'll learn what I need to become the neurosurgeon I hope to be one day.
——————-
It's already been two weeks already and classes have been going well. It's way harder than high school classes but I was waiting to take those very classes. It's necessary to get my diploma and I don't mind it.
I haven't made friends as some may think, not even that Alisa girl. They all think I'm cold and I have no life but honestly, they're the ones who are crazy for not taking this seriously, this isn't high school anymore, this is Yale University where the smartest students are supposed to be.
I get ready to leave the dorms but come across Alexandra.
"Hey...I know you don't like it all that much but I was wondering if you'd like to walk together today? I have morning class too."
"For the millionth time Alexandra, no, go with your little friends of yours." She looks pained but I don't care.
That's how things have been the last two weeks. I still give her the cold shoulder and she tries whatever she can to get me to talk to her but I know it won't work like that.
I leave the dorms and walk to the campus. As I head to my morning class, I come across Alisa, we only have class together, anatomy and even if I sit next to her by obligation I don't talk to her.
"Hi, you're from my anatomy class, aren't you?" She says hesitantly. Ah, she remembers me.
"Yeah, I am."
"We never get to talk as anatomy is quite intense but...since you're here, I was kinda hoping we could become work partners. I know you're serious about your studies but..."
"Stop right there, why would you want that?" I cut her off.
"Oh, well I thought that since we sit next to each other we could...be partners. I'm not asking to be friends!" Sounds like it to me.
She doesn't seem that bad and I know we'll have to do teamwork soon enough so I guess it's not a bad thing.
"Yeah...sure we can be partners but only work partners. I'll need a partner soon enough." She smiles shyly as if it's a victory for her.
"Thanks, we'll work well together." She then leaves.
Alisa Cunningham, she has short brown hair and typical brown eyes, though they aren't the heartwarming type. She has glasses and seems quite reserved despite gaining the courage to talk to me. Despite how she acted earlier, she seems like a nerd and a quiet one. She doesn't seem to be causing trouble. Perfect for me. She didn't bother me except today.
What I like the most is that she's also extremely small like me, so we are similar in more ways than I think. I guess she wouldn't be a bad work partner after all.
———————-
It's now labour weekend and for the first time, I'm not home with my family celebrating instead, I'm in New Heaven working, though I just finished my shift. They called earlier today but that's normal.
I walk in the direction of the dorms even if it's mostly dark outside, the street is lit up completely.
It doesn't take long to arrive and get in the building. I go up the stairs and once I'm at the door, I unlock it. As soon as I did, I was shocked to see Alexandra naked on the couch doing dirty things with another naked girl.
"Alexandra! What the hell are you doing?!"
She immediately stops what she's doing and freezes.
"Oh...you're back..."
"Yeah, I am, make that girl leave now! This isn't a place to do whatever you want!" I say in a foul mood.
The other girl gets dressed up and so does Alexandra.
"Hey, chillout girl, no one wants to hear what you're homophobic ass has to say." The other girl says and I see red.
"What did you just say?" I say deadpan.
"What? Does it bother you that we're gay? What'd you gonna do about it?"
"Leave this dorm! I don't even want to see you here again!" I roar deadly furious and she gives me a deadly glare.
"Madison...just leave," Alexandra says guiltily.
She does just that and leaves our dorm by slamming the door violently.
This is the last straw, she has gone too far. I don't care that she's mad at me right now and might hate me for that because there's no way I'll ever forgive her for that.
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