Chapter 2
Patience walked up the flights of stairs with
her backpack and a box she had pulled out of her Explorer. She was ready to meet
Heather Murray, who was her roommate for the year.
Over the summer, they had been doing correspondence to keep
in touch, to try and get to know each other. So, Patience was excited to meet
the girl who'd have to put up with her for a year.
The door to her dorm room was closed, so Patience knocked.
She heard a voice call to say she'd be there in a second. And then, the door
opened to reveal a smiling sandy blonde girl.
"I take it you're Patience Jeffers?" The blonde asked, as
Patience nodded.
"Heather Murray, right?" Patience asked, as the blonde
nodded. Patience smiled and moved slowly into the room.
She dropped the box on the empty bed. "I'm so glad to finally
meet you." Heather said.
"Me too. I don't know many people from outside of Michigan."
Patience said.
"I don't know many people from outside of Boston, so you're
not alone." Heather replied.
"You know, I really don't feel like unpacking yet." Patience
said.
"Are there anymore boxes in your car?" Heather asked.
"Just a couple more." Patience replied.
"Why don't we go ahead and bring those in. After that, we
could go look around the campus." Heather suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." Patience said.
The two started walking out of the dorm room. "I warn you,
there's some heavy stuff in these boxes." Patience said, as Heather laughed.
"I can handle it." Heather replied.
****************************************
The two had quickly taken the boxes up to the dorm room and
left them littering Patience's side of the room. They then had grabbed purses
and windbreakers before starting their walk around campus.
They had talked over anything that came to mind. They talked
about Patience living in Marquette, why she decided to go to a community college
for a year before going to Michigan, her family and all her favorite sports
teams. They talked over Heather living in Boston, her family, the fact that she
was starting college for the first time, and her favorite sports. Whenever
something came to mind, they talked about it.
That was when they noticed a group of people standing along
the walk ways. Many were handing out papers on various things and were shoving
the papers into the people who walked by's hands.
"Hello ladies, may I ask you to join up for the baseball game
tomorrow night to welcome in the school year?" A brunette guy with a heavy
Boston accent said.
"Sure." Patience said, as the guy handed her a clipboard.
Patience quickly wrote her name down and then turned to Heather. Heather quickly
wrote hers down.
"Thank you ladies. Meet us at the field at 6 pm." The guy
said, as the two nodded and then kept walking.
"Oh my god!" Heather said, as Patience smiled.
"I take it you think he's cute?" She asked.
"Think? I know he's cute!" Heather said.
"You know him or something?" Patience asked.
"That is Paul Eruzione. I kinda knew his family and have had
a crush on him since forever." Heather said.
"And let me guess, he doesn't know." Patience said, as
Heather nodded.
"Definatly doesn't. I've always gotten tongue tied around
him. I barely can formulate a thought, let alone make a sentence to say hi to
him." Heather said
"It's okay. I tend to be the same way with guys." Patience
said, noticing a big group of people.
"Wonder what's going on over there." Heather said, pointing
at the group.
"Must be the party table." Patience said, as they got closer.
Sitting at the table was Michael Phelps, with some other guys
with him. It was clear that it was Michael drawing the people to the table and
not the other guys.
Patience groaned and started making her way away. Heather
turned from looking at the table to her roommate. "You okay?" Heather asked.
"If I could go one place in the world and not be reminded of
him," Patience said, pointing at the table where Michael sat. "My life would be
great."
"Hey, you okay ma'am." Michael's voice broke into their
conversation. Patience rolled her eyes and then turned to the guy.
"I'm fine." Patience replied.
"Are you sure? Cause I thought I heard you groan." Michael
said.
"I'm fine, I'm just worried about what your horde of female
followers will do if you talk much longer to me." Patience replied.
"Well, can I at least get a name?" Michael asked.
"Try in your dreams later." Patience said, as she turned and
started walking away.
Heather followed and once they were away from the table,
turned to Patience. "I take it you really don't like him." She said, as Patience
turned to look at her.
"Everyone was ecstatic to find out I was going to college
here. I received a list as long as Santa Claus' of things to bring back to
people who never acknowledged me before when I come home for Christmas. And my
mom loves reminding me that he's my age." Patience said.
Both stomach grumbling broke into the mood that had settled
over the two. "So, where do you think the nearest McDonalds is? I'm starving."
Patience said.
Heather laughed; glad to see the run-in with Michael Phelps
hadn't totally damped her roommate.
Both of them started off in the search of dinner. It looked
to them like it was going to be a good year.