Chapter 3
Inever expected that on my first day of college classes I would be so bone-deep tired. I was sure I had dark circles under my eyes as I struggled to make my way to my 9:30 am class, Gothic Literature. Sure, I liked to read, but I was a little skeptical about thisone.
The classroom I walked into was nothing like the high school classrooms I was used to. It was, for one, much larger—though the class size was about the same. Several rows led upward into an auditorium set up. I paused at the front of the room before spotting an empty seat at the very top, far away from the podium. I rushed up and snagged it just before another group of students came in. Like the bus—the back seats in a classroom always filled up thefastest.
I sat down and opened my bag as the professor—a short, slender woman in a knee-length, plaid skirt and white blouse—breezed in. I blinked at her. If anyone was pixie-like, it was this woman—not Lizzie. Her hair was cut short and styled with little spikes and her makeup was natural everywhere except for her eyes—where drama was added in a red that matched her skirt. I watched as she unloaded a peculiar looking bag on the desk at the very front of the room before pulling out something small and walking over to the computer at the side of the room. She didn't even take one look at thepodium.
As other students began to file in and take their seats, the lights were turned off and a projector was turned on. I straightened my pens and notebook andwaited.
"Good morning, students," the professor said brightly as the last student came in and the door closed behind them. "My name is Dr. Casey Coathe. I go by Dr. C and I'm happy to have you all in my class." She strode around to the front of the computer as an image of a monstrous creature filled the screen above. All eyes zeroed in on that one image as Dr. C continuedtalking.
"Before we begin, we're going to go around the room and introduce ourselves. Say your name, where you are from, and one thing you dislike aboutyourself."
I jerked my eyes back to the professor in shock. Was she serious? That didn't seem like the type of ice-breaker anyone would want to do. But it looked like she was serious because even as I was assuring myself that she was merely teasing, Dr. C turned to the first student in the first row and nodded for them to start. The student didn't stand, so thankfully, I didn't think I would haveto.
"Hi," the boy said a little shaky. "M-my name is Gerald. I'm from M-Mauldin, South Carolina, and I don't think I'm a very good publicspeaker."
Dr. C nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, Gerald," she said before turning to the nextstudent.
As each student stood up and offered their introductions, my gaze kept drifting to the monster on the screen. It was massive, terrifying. With big sunken black eyes and a pale, stretched, face, it looked like death...only...meaner, somehow. Finally, it was my turn. I blinked, realizing all eyes were onme.
"Um..." I started. "Hi, my name is Harlow and I'm from Summerville, South Carolina and..." one thing I disliked about myself…one thing I disliked about myself...my gaze went back to the image. It was as if it was taunting me—telling me to take the superficial route. The easyanswer.
No one liked the way they looked. I could have certainly used a haircut. My face was a little longer than I would have preferred, my lips a little thinner than some of the celebrities that everyone thought were so pretty. But I couldn't choose that. My face and appearance weren't really things I could change—well, not without plastic surgery or something like that. Then I thought, why would this professor ask something like that? What were some of the answers others hadgiven?
Eyes were on me, waiting for a response. I chewed nervously at my lip, sliding my thumb over the hem of my shirt. Gerald disliked that he wasn't good at public speaking. Some girl named Veronica didn't like that she was usually tardy or running late to places. What didn't I like about myself? Or really, the question was—since there were plenty of things that I didn't like about myself—what was I going to answerwith?
"...and," I looked out over the classroom and met Dr. C’s stare, "I don't always try for what I want, and I don't like that," I finished. Dr. C nodded and then the rest of the class faced forward again, allowing me the chance to breathe once more, as the professor moved towards thecomputer.
"The reason I had you all tell me something you didn't like about yourselves is because, in life, there is always going to be something you want to fix or change. There's always going to be something you don't like." Dr. C stopped behind the computer and faced the class. "Most of you, as you may have noticed, didn't give us dislikes that couldn't be changed—therefore, you have ingrained in you all something precious—the understanding that change canhappen."
No one was writing. No one was taking notes, but we were all listening ratherintently.
"That is one of the reasons why you're all here," she continued, "because you believe that change can happen and that it can get rid of the things youdislike."
"In this class, you will learn that change can also be a creation and creation can be a monster." She pauses and nods towards the screen. "That is why our first book is going to beFrankenstein."
Dr. C looked at the image on the screen as though it were something beautiful, fascinating. I tried looking at it and seeing it differently. It just looked like amonster.
"I say that change and creation can make a monster, not to scare you," Dr. C admitted, "though I'm sure it will for some of you. I say it because, despite popular belief, monsters are normal. In my class, you will learn that and so muchmore."
She stopped and looked at the class. Everyone is quiet. Some looking at her in awe, some looking at her in confusion and indifference. But not me. I kept staring at the monster's image waiting for it to change at any moment, showing me exactly what she meant. It's no surprise that, when class ended, I found myself staring at it even as I passed by to the hallway, on the way to my nextclass.
First day, and I was already enthralled bycollege.
* * *
Harlow!" A familiar voice called out to me as I stared across the vast sea of students dressed in their best for the first day of classes as they mingled in front of a long strip of classroom buildings. Turning on my heel, I smiled when I spotted the top of Texas' dark head bobbing up and down. The reason I knew it was him was because, just behind him, Marv's slightly taller frame took upspace.
"How was your first day of classes?" Texas asked when they finally reached me. I had the distinct urge to look away from him when my throat tightened, and my shoulders drew up ever so slightly. Embarrassment crawled up my spine. It was primarily due to what we had discussed the night before and the fact that I had hung up on him. I wondered if he had mentioned it to Marv. I eyed him out of the corner of my eye. Other than his new sullen and petulant-child look—courtesy of having to live with Grayson now—he looked normal. Texas acted as though none of it had happened. He had no qualms about slinging an arm around my shoulders in a half hug. He was acting so casual, that it helped relax the tension in myshoulders.
"It’s certainly been interesting," I admitted, trying for a cool, normal tone. "I've got about an hour or so before my next class. I was gonna go to thecafeteria."
"By yourself?" Marvasked.
I nodded. "I forgot to get Lizzie's number and I figured you guys might be busy or I wasn't sure if I'd get the chance to seeyou."
"Well, we're here now," Texas said brightly, sliding his arm from my shoulders and taking my hand. "Let's go get some food." My skin tingled where Texas’ thumb smoothed over my knuckles. I glanced at Marv briefly, taking in his reaction—or lack thereof when I realized he wasn’t payingattention.