College Life 101, page 2
Chapter 2
Three days later, the entire freshman class, along with accompanying family members, descended on the Paradise Valley University campus. Fathers unloaded cars. Mothers asked for directions. Grandparents took pictures of everything from the gardens to the buildings. Siblings either annoyed or helped their relatives. The new freshmen checked out prospects and sized up competition as they made their way through campus—all except Chasity. She couldn’t care less about what her fellow classmates were doing. She had come to college to get away from home. Chasity planned only on doing what she needed to do to graduate on time and move away permanently. She was in no mood to socialize or make any friends.
After leaving Tucson, Chasity had spent time with her grandmother in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Her aunt Patrisha had even flown up from Florida to join them. Patrisha had just bought a new house a few blocks from her grandmother. The trip gave her a chance to get the renovations started, and to take Chasity on a shopping spree that would make any of her new classmates jealous. Besides, she wanted to see Chasity’s face when she gave her the keys to a brand-new black Lexus as a sending off present. It made Patrisha happy to see Chasity get in the car for her drive to Virginia. Brenda would be so furious; the woman pigheadedly resented the close relationship that Patrisha and Chasity shared.
Although the new Lexus was easy to handle on the road and she enjoyed the alone time, she found the long drive very tiring. Chasity rubbed the weariness from her eyes as she made her way to her room in Torrence Hall, one of the newest dorms on campus.
Two others were in the process of being built, but construction could not be finished in time for this year’s freshman class. With space tight and single rooms at a premium, Chasity had put in an early request. Her aunt’s large donation was viewed now as extra insurance. She figured that she’d never shared a room before, and she wasn’t going to start now. She had always been a loner; being the only child of a mother who hated her didn’t make socializing easy.
When she was younger, Chasity had tried to make friends, despite what she was going through at home. But her peers never accepted her. Chasity learned that she didn’t need people around her, and decided that she was better off alone. Even her aunt sometimes had to work to get through her tough exterior.
She went directly to her spacious room, relieved to find it equipped with a private bathroom, and dropped her bags by the door. But her relief was short lived. Her sense of ease gave way to a frown when she noticed someone sitting on the bed across the room.
Chasity snarled, “Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?”
The girl’s nasty tone shocked Sidra, but she managed to keep her cool. “Well, my name is Sidra, and it appears that I am sitting on the bed,” she answered evenly. She really didn’t want to put up with this kind of attitude all semester.
“That’s real cute,” Chasity responded in a nasty tone. “Why are you in this room? I was supposed to have my own room. I paid for my own room and I want my own room.”
“Um...Chasity right?” Sidra questioned as she glanced at the name listed on her room assignment. Chasity gave a slight smirk as she folded her arms. “Well Chasity, according to the office, they ran out of double rooms; and since there are so many new students this year, they decided to turn all of the single rooms into double rooms. At least until the new dorms are ready. So that means that we’re roommates,” Sidra continued with a forced smile. “Hello roommate.”
Chasity shot a piercing look Sidra’s way, turned on her heel, and walked out of the room without a word.
Sidra let out a long, frustrated sigh. “Seriously?” she groaned to herself.
Emily had been assigned to a triple in another dorm across campus. None of the rooms in this dorm had separate bathrooms; rather each floor was equipped with two communal bathrooms. The rooms were equally simple in furnishings. Emily looked around, trying to take it all in at once. There was one single bed, a set of bunk beds, a couple of dressers and three small desks. She was putting her things in a drawer when Alex walked in.
“Hello,” she called out happily as she dragged her trunk into the spacious room.
“Hi,” Emily responded with a smile.
“So I see that you’ve picked your side,” Alex observed.
“Oh, do you want it? You can have it if you want it,” Emily offered nervously.
“No, no. It’s okay, I was just making conversation,” Alex smiled and threw her hands up in a show of peace. “I mean no harm. I’m Alex,” she said, placing her trunk against one of the dressers.
“I’m Emily.” The shy response was soft and low.
“It’s nice to meet you Emily.”
“Same here,” Emily said, pushing some of her mid-neck length, sandy brown hair behind her ears.
“Are you okay? You seem kind of sad.” Alex asked, concerned.
“Oh, I’m fine, just a little nervous about starting college that’s all,” Emily answered, closing her drawer with her knee.
“Oh, I know what you mean,” Alex commented with a wave of her hand. Before she could continue, Malajia walked in wearing sunglasses and carrying a large overnight bag. She had left the rest of her things in the car for her parents to bring up. She took off her sunglasses, and looked around.
“Three girls to a room? God this is just like being at home,” she complained.
“Hello,” Alex ran her fingers through her wavy hair and gave the newcomer a welcoming smile.
“Hi, I’m ‘the fabulous’ Malajia. Where do I sleep?” she asked with a wave of her hand.
Alex frowned slightly at the over the top introduction. “Okay, ‘the fabulous’ I’m Alex, her name is Emily and why in the world do you call yourself ‘the fabulous’ Malajia?” she asked, her voice brimming with laughter. Emily giggled.
Malajia rolled her eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? Look at me,” she responded striking a pose that had Alex shaking her head. “Anyway, where is my bed? And please don’t tell me that those are bunk beds,” Malajia protested.
“Okay, I won’t,” Alex shrugged and turned to grab some clothes out of her trunk.
“Oh, come on!” Malajia whined. “Can I at least have the bottom one?”
“No that’s mine,” Alex replied, mocking Malajia’s whiny tone of voice. “You better climb that ladder ‘the fabulous’ because that is your bed.”
Hands on her hips, Malajia looked from Alex to Emily. “Hey, Emma—”
Alex frowned. “Emily,” she corrected on Emily’s behalf.
“Oh what-ever. Emma, Emily they both start with the same damn letter,” Malajia shot back.
“Oh? How would you like it if I started calling you Melon Ball or something other than your real name?” Alex argued.
“Melon Ball?” Malajia repeated with a frown. “That was corny. Anyway Emily, how about we trade beds?”
Emily looked down at her hands. “Well...”
“No!” Alex interrupted. She was getting very annoyed with the fabulous Malajia very fast. “Emily got here first and chose that bed. So shut your mouth, suck it up, and be fair.”
“Who made you leader of the room?!” Malajia challenged, folding her arms over her chest.
“I’m not the leader, you just need to stop complaining, and like I said, be fair,” Alex argued, holding a stubborn look on her face that dared Malajia to say something else.
“You know what? Screw that raggedy ass bed! With those ugly ass sheets. Just don’t say anything to me for the rest of the day!” Malajia shouted as she stormed out of the room.
Alex looked at Emily and laughed. “We’re going to have a problem with that one, Emily.” Emily gave another one of her giggles.
Ms. Smith, Paradise Valley’s freshman advisor and counselor, was in her office preparing for her first meeting of the day. She met with each freshman individually at the beginning of term to discuss any concerns or questions that they might have. She pulled the top file off of the pile on her desk and opened it. “Sidra Howard,” she read. Looking over the comments, she thought, at least I’m starting with an easy one, as she asked her secretary to send in Sidra.
“Hello please take a seat,” she said, indicating the chair across from her desk. Sidra walked over to the seat, smoothed her black pencil skirt with her hands, sat down and crossed her legs. “Now, Miss Howard, how are you settling in? I can give you an overview, but first I’d like to know if you have any questions or concerns.”
“No Ms. Smith, I don’t have any questions to ask really. I’m settling in fine,” Sidra informed with a smile as she smoothed her bang out of her face.
“Are you sure? I know that attending college for the first time can be a little unnerving, so if you have anything that you want to discuss you can do it here,” Ms. Smith prodded.
Sidra folded her hands over her knee and smiled brightly. “Everything is fine,” she said.
“Miss Emily Harris right?” Ms. Smith quizzed.
“Yes,” Emily responded. Her voice was so soft that Ms. Smith could barely hear her reply. More disturbing, she thought, the girl wouldn’t look up.
“Okay. Um.....” Ms. Smith searched for a look at the bowed head. “Emily, are you okay?”
“Yes,” Emily repeated.
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
“Okay, let’s just forget about all that other stuff,” Malajia forfeited, putting up a well-manicured hand. “Just tell me two things—when do the parties start and are there any cute guys?”
“Miss Simmons, that’s not exactly what we’re supposed to be talking about right now,” Ms. Smith said in a frigid tone.
“Aww come on Betty—can I call you Betty?”
“No, you can’t,” Ms. Smith replied sternly.
“Thanks Betty,” Malajia obviously had not been listening. “Now, I know that we’re supposed to talk about classes and activities and stuff like that, but I’d much rather talk about the fun stuff.”
Ms. Smith frowned in concern. “Miss Simmons...I am a little concerned at the fact that you have the opportunity to talk about anything here in regards to entering your first semester of college, and the only thing that you choose to talk about are boys and parties.”
Malajia frowned in confusion. “Umm, yeah. That’s what I want to talk about right now.”
“Look, you already have my name on that paper, so why do I need to tell you what it is,” Chasity complained without looking at Ms. Smith. “I’ve had a long day. I’m tired, I’m cranky and I don’t want to be here,” she continued as she examined her black and silver painted finger nails.
“My, you have quite the attitude, don’t you Miss Parker?” Ms. Smith looked across the desk and folded her arms
Chasity looked up at her, frowning with frustration, gaze pointed in annoyance. “So I’ve been told,” she replied smartly.
Ms. Smith didn’t notice Alex when she came into the office. She had her head down, praying for the day to end.
“Ms. Smith, are you all right? Do you need some air?” Alex asked as she sat down across from her.
“No, no I’m fine,” she said, quickly sitting up and straightening her blazer. Somehow she had lost control of the interview before it had even began.
“It’s okay,” Alex reassured, “If you need to talk, I’m a good listener.”
“Miss Chisolm, I’m supposed to be helping you, not the other way around,”
“Why not? I mean, I don’t really have any concerns or anything. Nothing that I can’t handle. However, you seem to be having a hard time with some of my other classmates. Maybe I can help,” Alex prodded, sitting on the edge of her seat.
Ms. Smith pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Miss Chisolm, nothing that I have discussed with any of the other students can be discussed with you. So while I appreciate your need to be helpful, we really need to get this session started, All right?”
“Okay, I understand,” Alex replied.
“Well I’m the youngest child, and I’ve never been on my own before. I don’t actually want to be out on my own just yet,” Emily confessed, fidgeting nervously with her hands.
“Well you have a lot of things to look forward to. There’s independence, freedom to make your own choices—it’s a big world out there. There’s a lot to explore and learn about,” Ms. Smith assured with a smile. “You can take it slowly.”
Emily just sat there, a worried look still on her face.
“Miss Howard, you don’t have any concerns? No questions about your major? No worries about campus life? Nothing?” Ms. Smith asked.
“No.” Sidra held her smile and polite tone, even though she was growing tired of the constant questions.
“So everything is fine?”
Sidra chuckled, “With all due respect Ms. Smith, why does it seem like you find that hard to believe?”
“Miss Howard, my intention is not to insult you by making it seem like I don’t believe what you’re saying. However, it seems to me like you’re putting on a façade—this prim and proper façade.”
“I’m sorry, what do you mean by façade exactly?” Sidra questioned as she gave a slight frown. “Are you implying that I’m being fake?”
“No, Miss Howard, I’m not calling you fake. I am just saying that it seems like you could have a different personality underneath of what you’re presenting.”
“Okay, yes. When faced with stressful situations I have a tendency to show a different side of my personality. However I’m not, nor have I ever been, fake.” Sidra resented the fact that because she carried herself in a certain manner, that people assumed that she was being phony.
“Now, can you look at this sexy outfit and tell me if it will attract guys?” Malajia stood up and proceeded to model her outfit for a visibly annoyed Ms. Smith.
“Miss Simmons please, we have to—”
“And check out my new walk,” Malajia persisted, cutting off Ms. Smith and strolling across the room in long sexy strides.
“Miss Simmons, I suggest that you re-think your priorities.”
Malajia stopped walking. “I don’t follow.” The girl looked perplexed. She didn’t understand why she had to be so serious at this moment.
“You are more concerned with being seen, rather than thinking about what’s actually important; such as your major, or your classes. You’re coming off as very shallow.”
So you’re judging me, Malajia thought. She had to deal with people judging her due to how she dressed and acted every day of her life. It started with her parents; they always assumed the worst of her. They always tried to tell her how she should or shouldn’t act, but Malajia refused to be placed in a neat little box. She didn’t feel the need to take everything so seriously; if she wanted to spend her day talking about guys and parties, she was going to do just that.
“I’m far from shallow Ms. Smith, I just don’t feel the need to be so serious. Granted, this is college, and it’s about studying and passing classes. But it’s also about having fun, meeting new people, and trying new things. I, for one, plan on taking advantage of my entire college experience.”
“And you should take advantage of the entire college experience. But, the way that you’ve chosen to start out might not lead you into the direction you want to go.”
“Okay...That’s your opinion, and you are entitled to it. However, I am not going to stop being me, no matter how I come off.”
Chasity let out a frustrated sigh. She had grown tired of this meeting.
“Yes, I know that I have an anger problem. It’s nothing new to me.”
“I really feel that you may benefit from some anger management sessions,” Ms. Smith suggested.
“No, I think I manage my anger quite well actually,” she hissed.
“The fact that you are comfortable with being so angry doesn’t concern you, Miss Parker?”
“Nope.”
“Really? Not even a little bit?” Ms. Smith persisted.
“Nope,” Chasity repeated defiantly.
Ms. Smith rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingers. This girl was making her job very difficult. She’d never had to encounter a student with so much attitude.
“Miss Parker, you come off as being very abrasive. But it makes me wonder if this is just a defense mechanism. I find it hard to believe that there isn’t an ounce of softness underneath all of that anger.”
Chasity narrowed her eyes slightly. She didn’t need anyone to try to figure her out. She just wanted to be left alone.
“Are we done?” she asked, trying hard to keep calm. It was in her nature to fly off the handle at the drop of a dime; it didn’t matter who or where it was. However she figured that this wasn’t the time or the place for her to let her temper flare. It wouldn’t be smart to wind up kicked out of school on her first day.
“Miss Parker, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t suggest that we try to explore where all of this hostility is coming from. I find it hard to believe that you were born this way. Would you be willing to explore this?”
“Nope.” Chasity smirked, relishing the fact that she was annoying Ms. Smith for her efforts.
“Alexandra, let’s just finish the meeting,” Ms. Smith suggested.
“I have a small favor to ask, please don’t call me that. Call me Alex, I can’t stand the name Alexandra, and I don’t know what my parents were thinking when they named me that,” Alex said with a laugh, and rocked back in her chair. “Aside from that, things are fine with me. I mean I’ve only been here for a few hours so there isn’t much to be concerned about,” she paused as if she meant to finish, but finally the words came tumbling out. “Well, the only thing is, I think that one of my roommates may be an issue.”
“How so?”
“Well, first off, she came in there like she was walking in a fashion show. Then she tried to persuade our other roommate to give up her bed and I had to tell her to back off and be fair. “
“Did your other roommate tell her that she couldn’t have her bed? Or did you put yourself into their confrontation?”
“Well...I jumped in it only because my other roommate wasn’t saying anything. And I didn’t want the girl’s bed to be taken just because she was too nervous to object. That wouldn’t have been fair, would it?”
