The Recital

The recital was more than twenty minutes in by the time Jean made it there. He quietly entered the auditorium once an usher allowed him in and searched for the nearest seat. Luckily he found one on the end of a row, but it was next to a large woman who was fanning herself with a program. He smiled kindly before sitting down and leaning on the opposite end of the chair. It was an uncomfortable position, but one he was forced to endure for the woman had completely occupied her chair and some of his. His eyes searched the program in his hands for Natalie’s parts. It looked as if he had missed most of them already. Wonderful. Hopefully she hadn’t noticed his absence, but he wasn’t holding his breath. She was a very observant person.

An hour later, the recital finally ended. Jean slowly rose out of his seat, the left side of his body sore and numb. He started heading toward the exit when somebody grabbed his arm. He turned to see his mother.

“Mom? What are you doing here?” Jean asked, perplexed.

His mother was a petite woman, only 5’4”, but the annoyed look on her face made Jean’s nearly six foot figure suddenly feel like three.

Her lips pursed and she pulled him to the side, out of the path of the large crowd of people leaving. “Well, it’s nice to see you, too. I saved a seat for you, but I assume you came in late?”

“Well, I, I—” Jean stammered, clearing his throat. He had to stop stammering, because his mother hated it so much. “Something came up at the last minute. I would’ve looked for you had I known you were here.”

“You should be more careful,” she said, her brows narrowing. “You know how Natalie hates when you’re late.” She gave him one last stern look before turning toward the door. “I believe we should go into the hall and wait for her.”
Jean followed his mother through the doors and into the crowded hall. His mother didn’t say another word to him until Natalie showed up. Whenever she was quiet, she was upset about something at home. He wasn’t going to press her any further, because it would only lead to him getting into more trouble than he was already in.

A few minutes passed before the performers started to come out. Natalie, being one of the leads, was one of the first to head into the crowd. It took awhile for her to get through the crowd, smiling brightly as everyone stopped her to give her praise and congratulations. Some even gave her flowers.

Once she came up to them, the beautiful smile that was once on her face disappeared. “You were late,” Natalie said, frowning.

Jean bit his lip. “I know, I’m sorry.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Save it. I want to enjoy this moment, and I’m afraid you’ll ruin it for me.”

Jean clenched his jaw, his cheeks reddening slightly. He could feel himself shrinking another inch.

Natalie turned to his mother, smiling again. “Anne, I’m so glad you made it.” She leaned in and gave Anne a tender hug.

“Oh, it was my pleasure,” Anne beamed. “You were magnificent. Truly a marvel. A talent like no other, don’t you think, Jean?” Both women turned their scrutinizing gazes on him.

Jean straightened his posture, suddenly tense. He managed to smile, despite feeling like he had been slapped several times, and said, “Truly like no other.”

Natalie pursed her lips, still visibly upset. She turned and smiled at Anne, then turned back to him. Unexpectedly, she grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. Jean held back a grimace.

Soon his mother left them, carrying on about how she had to “put her tired bones to rest,” which gave Natalie the opportunity to finally speak her mind. But before she could, Jean spoke up.

“Look, Natalie, I’m sorry I was late,” Jean said, offering his best apologetic expression. “It wasn’t intentional, believe me. I lost track of time studying and –”

Natalie interrupted, “Lost track of time studying? Since when does that happen? You hate studying.” They started to walk down the hall, hand-in-hand, towards the doors.

“Well, yes,” Jean agreed. “But my partner was very helpful.”

“Your partner?” Natalie cocked a brow.

“Um, yes, she’s from my Forensic Science class.”

“She?” Natalie snapped, stopping mid-step. “Your partner is a girl?”

Jean could tell where this was leading. Natalie tended to be very jealous, and if he didn’t settle this quickly enough, he’d be in for some more quarrelling.

“It’s nothing to worry about, really,” Jean began, his voice soft and calm. “Her study partner bailed on her and she needed someone to help her. I just happened to be there at the same time. It’s not like we have to study together again.” Jean watched her carefully to see if she was satisfied with his response. She didn’t say anything at first, but started walking again. The displeased expression on her face dissolved into something between calm and tired.

“I guess that’s fine,” she said wearily. Then she leaned her head on his shoulder and whispered, “I don’t want to fight anymore. I’m exhausted.”

Jean couldn’t agree more. Fighting with her always drained the little energy he had left. They exited the building and headed to the parking lot. Jean spotted Natalie’s blue Saturn parked two rows down from his and led her over to it. Once there, she lifted her head and stared at him for a moment. A sad smile formed on her lips and she leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. He kissed her back. All seemed to be forgiven. For now, at least.

Jean helped her into the car. “I’ll see you later,” he said, shutting her door. She waved, backed up, and drove off. After a few moments of standing there replaying the day’s events in his mind, he finally walked to his car and left.

Studious Sunday II

Jean looked up from his textbook and met the eyes of the girl from his Forensic Science class. She was sitting across from him and asking him if he wanted to study. She was very pretty this girl…this…oh God, what was her name? Think! You know she said her name before, but damn if you’ll ever remember it. No use now. You can probably get through this whole thing without having to say it. Now he had to give her an answer. Did he want to study with her? It was a loaded question. First, he was much better at studying by himself. The reason was he got distracted too easily, and she was a pretty girl and girls made him nervous. Second, if his girlfriend ever caught him sitting with another girl he’d have hell to pay. And it wouldn’t just be from her, his mother would somehow get herself involved.

So what to say? It really seemed like it could be a harmless situation. They were just going to go over some chapter questions and discuss. That was it. He really hoped Natalie wouldn’t be making a surprise visit that day like she usually does. Checking the doors and looking around, he decided to give her an answer.

“Yeah, that’d be fine,” Jean said nonchalantly, though his insides were twisting uncomfortably. Nerves. It was all nerves. “So, where do you want to start first?”

The girl flipped open her book. Jean’s eyes darted to the piece of paper tucked inside, hoping to see a name scribbled somewhere. Nothing.

“How about we start on section three? There’s something I had some trouble understanding…” she said softly. A little frown formed on her soft lips.

Jean’s eyes rested on them for a second before he answered. “Um, yeah, I think I can help you with that. I’ve probably read this chapter twice, which probably means I have too much time on my hands,” he laughed nervously. Turning to the correct page, he listened as she asked her question.

Nearly two hours later, Jean finally checked his phone. “Oh, wow, I can’t believe it’s already six-thirty.”

“Really?” she said, gaping at the clock on the wall. “I can’t believe how fast that went.”

“Crap!”

“What is it?”

Jean sighed gruffly, gathering his things. “I forgot I’m supposed to be somewhere at seven.” He stood up, slinging his book bag over his shoulder.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to take up your time,” she said, a concerned look on her face. Her blue eyes saddened.

Jean shook his head. “No, it’s not your fault. I should’ve paid more attention. But I’m glad we did this. We should meet up again.”

She smiled. “Definitely.”

Jean smiled back, his heart fluttering once. “See you around!” he said, leaving the library in a sprint. He couldn’t believe he was going to be late for the second time to another one of Natalie’s recitals.

Studious Sunday

Cora watched the library’s clock slowly tick away. Alex was officially ten minutes late and had not sent word yet where he was. Cora always thought that in today’s world that if you are running late anywhere you can send notice; cell phones had made it that. She checked her phone again and yet no sign. She sighed trying to busy herself. She despised sitting in at a library alone at a table looking like the last kid picked for kickball. She took out the list of questions she had written down from the chapter; the ones she had hoped that Alex could help her with. She began to look through the chapter but could not get involved with the text when she was constantly checking her phone or looking at the entrance. Then of course, Jean was sitting across the library and Cora could not help but seek a glances. This study session was going so very well, she thought.

Finally, her phone went off. Cora picked up the phone and quickly scanned the text message. Of course it was some lame excuse that really meant he was out playing ultimate Frisbee and was not going to bother to study. Cora took in a deep breath trying to not get angry. She really should have known that she could not count on Alex; he was just way too much of a free spirit. She had really only agreed to study with him because his girlfriend Stephanie had begged her too. You could not really force someone to do something they did not want to do, even if they needed to pass a class to graduate. Without Alex there, Cora felt like an idiot showing up to the library and she still needed someone to talk through the chapter with. She stole one more glance at Jean and tried to take a peek at what book he was reading. It appeared that he too was studying for their class on Monday.

Cora weighed her options. She could attempt to study by herself either here or in her dorm room. She knew she would not accomplish much. Or she could get up the nerve to approach Jean and force a study session upon him. She figured that he might be able to help. Since she had introduced herself, he had been rather cool towards her. He wasn’t mean but rather just nice and nothing more. He had not taken her up on the offer to study together. She had not wanted to seem too forward and ask for a friends request on facebook. She did not want to seem like a creepy stalker. She really should just try to do this on her own, she thought. Yet, she was just so hopeless. She closed her book deciding that she was going to ask for his help despite the nervous feeling she was getting in her gut. Jean just made her nervous but in a good way. She stood taking her bag and book with her.

Jean did not look up until she sat across from him. She braced herself; this was going to be an awkward conversation at first.

“I need help, and I don’t mean like mental” she already began to ramble. “My study partner bailed on me for Frisbee golf or something. I really need a bit of help with this chapter before the quiz tomorrow. I know you are at least reading through the chapter and I was wondering if you would mind helping me with this” she finished sounding like the blonde she was. She really was not this stupid as she sounded, she thought.

Frankly Friday

It was a Friday night, and Cora’s only plan was to get acquainted with her advanced biochemistry text.

“Cor, I’m going,” Bryn continued, “Are you sure you don’t want to come with?”

“Where are you going?” Cora asked with a raised eyebrow. Bryn was a lot of fun but usually anywhere she went would involve some sort of chaos. Cora was becoming disenchanted with that whole scene.

“Beer pong tournament at the Sigma Chi house. I have already promised to be Big Matt’s partner but I am sure there will be people looking for free agents,” Bryn responded casually.

“I better not, you know how terrible I am at that game,” Cora said with a smile. The last time Cora played beer pong, she had ended up losing eight games and having to be carried home. She felt like she was hung over for a week. Bryn let out a laugh with a large grin upon her face.

“Yeah, well,” Bryn shrugged. “You will be around here then?”

“Yeah, if you need a ride my cell phone will be on,” Cora offered. Bryn nodded putting on her jacket and closing the door behind her. Cora let her blue eyes return to the text as she read the pages. Why she ever decided to go into medicine she would never know. She suppose it was because she wanted to help people but that would only happen if she was able to pass her classes. A knock came to the door and without thinking; she said “Come in.”

“Oh, Darcy,” she exclaimed. Cora had not expected Darcy to have anything to do with her since his gaining of a new girlfriend. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Ashley sent me away to wait,” he said pulling up a chair in front of Cora and sitting close.

“Does she realize where she sent you?” Cora questioned. “Most of your girlfriends try to keep you as far away from me as possible.”

“Well, should they?” Darcy asked with a smirk. Cora rolled her eyes wondering if mentioning history was even worth it. She doubted that she was any threat to any of his girlfriends anymore.

“No, I think we are just friends. Until you decide you need an excuse to get rid of one of them,” she responded.

“Cora Bora, like you have not done the same,” he shot back. Cora did not really want to get into a fight about this right now. She hated to let him think that she ever used him for that.

“Only for Kit, the other two dumped me,” Cora said calmly, closing her book focusing all her attention back upon him. Cora still felt awful for dumping Kit like she did. He had been her high school sweet heart and had followed her here. She had dumped him for Darcy before the midpoint in the first semester. Darcy had dumped her at the end of freshman year. She then proceeded to date a grad student who left her behind.

“They were fools,” he stated placing a hand on the side of her chair making him lean in closer. Cora was having trouble focusing with him so close. It was so easy for him to get to her but she knew better.

“You would know, since you were one of them,” she said with a small smile. Cora stood up and walked across the room letting silence encompass them briefly.

“How is your brother?” she asked changing the subject. Cora knew the real reason Darcy had come here was not to flirt with her but more than likely something was wrong back home. He looked at her as if she were psychic. She was one of maybe three people that knew about his home life. She was the only one that happened to be female.

“I don’t know if father is treating him right, but I can’t get my little brother to talk about it,” he continued, “I don’t know if going into the mission field is the right thing, maybe I should go back home and take care of the family,” he ended. Before Cora could respond a light knock came to the door. Both their eyes went to it before Darcy said, “It’s open.”

“Hate to interrupt but Darcy I am ready to go,” Ashley stated. Cora looked over the blonde freshman. She was attractive, tall and leggy with a large bust. Darcy really knew how to pick them. Darcy stood from his seat and crossed the room wrapping his arms around Ashley’s waist.

“It was good talking to you Cora,” he said ushering Ashley out the door. Cora turned back to her work, it looked to be a boring Friday night.

Text message blues III

“Yeah, that is my roommate Bryn. She is well..”Cora trailed off not quite sure on how to describe Bryn’s craziness. “I guess you could say she is something else.”

Cora’s cell buzzed for about the twentieth time since she had awoken this morning. She was going to ignore it but it buzzed loudly again. She sighed taking the phone into her hand and flipping up the screen to read the message. It read: Spotted D and new gf fighting in the yard, maybe he isn’t over you-BT. Cora could not help but be frustrated. She could not figure out how to get across to her sorority sisters that she did not care about Darcy. She was over him. She had not attempted to date him since her fall semester of her sophomore year. She closed her cell and made sure the volume was off.

“Sorry, it seems that my sorority sisters need to be in constant contact with me” she said with a smile. The stranger she was talking to had yet to introduce himself and she was not going to go a whole semester without knowing his name so she glanced briefly at his paper to get his name. Jean it said. He had caught her glancing, she could only smile.

“So Jean?” she asked making it sound like the blue jeans one wears. Jean shook his head no.

“It sounds more like John” he said pronouncing his name with a slight French accent. It seemed that everyone here had exciting names except for her. She sometimes just felt so typical.

“Well, if you did not catch it the first time, I’m Cora” she said flipping her hair over her shoulder. She was trying to be flirty but it seemed not to be going terribly well. She was usually so good at this. But for some reason even talking to Jean was making her pulse race. She was having a hard time being her cool and collected herself. She was just hoping she did not seem like a fool. She needed to bring this conversation back around and away from herself.

“I have heard this class can be quite difficult. The professor gives a quiz almost every class according to one of my friends. She said it would be smart to study in groups” Cora rambled. She could almost groan in frustration at herself. She was running her mouth again and not getting to the point. The door to the classroom shut loudly and she looked up to see the Professor walk in.

“If you are interested in studying together, facebook me” she added before putting her full attention to the front of the class and to the professor who was now handing out a syllabus that no one would ever look at again.

Text Message Blues II

A pretty blonde was staring at him and he had absolutely no idea why. He had been too preoccupied with his iPhone, text messaging his girlfriend Natalie an apology for not showing up to her choir rehearsal the night before, that he hadn't even noticed someone sat down next to him. His eyebrows scrunched together as he looked at her.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Jean asked, his eyes finally taking in the girl's face. She looked oddly familiar.

"Oh, I was just asking if you had an extra pencil," the girl said. Her blue eyes smiled.

“Ah, well…” Jean patted his pockets and pulled out a red mechanical pencil, “No, sorry, this is my only one. I don’t carry much with me.”

“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “I’m sure there’s someone in here with an extra one.” She smiled sweetly and turned in her seat.

Jean stared at her for another second, before his iPhone vibrated. He looked down to see a text message from Natalie. It read: “It’s ok, sweetie. Plz make it tonight. I’ll be practicing my solo. Love you!” Jean sighed gruffly. He hated those stupid choir practices. Unless he had homework to do, he just sat there and made sure to look attentive whenever Natalie looked his way. Reluctantly, he sent her a quick message letting her know he’d be there.

Putting the phone into his pants pocket, he glanced again at the blonde. He had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn’t figure out where. He was just awful with remembering little details like that. He could remember a face, but anything else was always a little hazy. It was something he was continually working on.

Suddenly, she looked at him. He averted his eyes quickly and took to studying his pencil a little more carefully than normal.

The girl laughed, causing Jean to turn his head toward her.

“What?” he asked nervously.

The girl smiled, shrugging. “I just don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone study a pencil so hard.”

Jean blushed, setting the pencil down.

“If you were trying to figure out where you’ve seen me before, it was at the Corner Pocket Tavern, a couple nights ago. You were at the bar, people watching, and I was getting water.”

It was as if the haze lifted. That’s where he saw her. He had gone that night for some of their oysters. He had gone alone because his roommate had decided that Jeopardy was more important than spending time with him. But it was something Jean didn’t mind too much because he rather enjoyed people watching.

“Yeah, I do remember. It was driving me nuts. You were with that redheaded girl?”

Text message blues

Darcy had a new girlfriend, some sweet freshman, who was naïve to his wants. Cora had known what he had wanted, not that she ever gave it to him. Darcy more than likely already had her giving it to him. Cora could only feel pity towards the poor girl.

The fact that Darcy had a new girlfriend did not trouble her. She knew it would happen sooner or later, it always did. What was troubling her most about this situation was that the whole campus had to alert her about the fact. When she felt the buzz of her cell phone go off, she was tempted not to answer it. She picked up only to read the text message, “OMG-just saw D with new gf making out in the caf you are so much prettier”. It took all Cora could do not to throw her phone against the wall. Instead, she slipped it into her book bag and got up to go to class.

Cora had no want to go to class, the weather outside was bitterly cold for South Carolina. The sun was shining and birds were chirping but it was 45 degrees. This type of weather made her homesick for Kansas where snow would fall in the winter. Looking up at the clock, she realized that she had only fifteen minutes to make it across campus to Henson Hall.
Her forensic science class was located across campus from her dorm room; luckily campus was not very large. Though as she walked, she thought it was apparently it was large enough for her to get three new text messages about Darcy and to see him making out under a tree with the new girlfriend. His grey eyes saw her, and he smirked with his eyes as if to say she could have had this. She merely waved and smiled broadly. She was not playing this game anymore; she was twenty years old for crying out loud and a junior.

Cora climbed the twenty-two stairs to the top of the science building and went through the double doors to the large lecture hall. Cora was a nursing major with the ability to also be pre-med. She was use to seeing the same faces within her major so she was a bit surprised to see many new faces within this class.

Cora let her eyes search for her normal seat which was in the front row on the far side of the room. She was startled not to find it empty. No, sitting in her seat was the handsome stranger from the bar. She quickly diverted her eyes as not to seem like she was staring. Cora took the empty seat beside him. She needed to think of a way to introduce herself without seeming weird. She took out her spiral notebook and began to look thru her bag for a pencil or pen when an idea came to her.

“Do you have a pen?” she asked, smiling, “I’m Cora McDonald by the way.”