After Byron leaves, I sit there surprised because I expected to feel worse than I actually do. Maybe it’s because I’m no longer suppressing the guilt of what I’ve done. It’s out in the open, allowing the colors to feel lighter and less burdensome. Whatever the reason, I can now move on, so I do.
It’s lunchtime, and I’m hungry, so I go to the pizza stand next to the bar. It’s too cold to sit outside, so I take my plate inside and sit down. It’s not long before the girl sitting next to me introduces herself.
Valerie: Hi, I’m Valerie. Are you new here?
Prosperity: Yes…well, sort of. I haven’t enrolled in college yet, but I’m hoping to attend Britechester in the Spring as an art major.
Valerie: Cool, I’m a Biology major at Foxbury. Will you be staying in the dorms?
Prosperity: No. I’m looking at purchasing a home nearby for my son and me.
Valerie’s whole demeanor changes.
Valerie: Your son?
She does her best to continue being polite by making small talk, but I can read the colors in the room. There’s no way she’s interested in trying to develop a friendship with someone who already has a child. I let her off the hook by excusing myself and checking my phone to confirm an appointment I made with the admissions office at Britechester.
I arrive at the Britechester campus and get the good news that my acceptance to the distinguished arts program still stands. All that’s left for me to do is enroll once I’m ready to attend. I celebrate this victory by purchasing a Britechester sweatsuit to look the part and move on to explore the campus.
It doesn’t take long for me to run across a group of art students working on some figure paintings. I walk over to introduce myself and discover that they are a part of the Art Society, a social group on campus. Frank, Arthur, and Daisy are eager to tell me all about the group, and I’m happy to learn that they are always excited to welcome new members.
The Art Society members tell me about a Creativity Celebration sponsored by the Spirit Corps starting up on the quad. I head over to check it out. I take a few selfies alone and with the campus mascot, Darby the Dragon.
One of the Spirit Corps members walks over and introduces himself.
Devon: Hey there, I’m Devon. Are you interested in joining the Spirit Corps?
Prosperity: I’m not sure. I haven’t enrolled here yet. I’m just here to feel it out and see what there is to offer.
Devon: Well, I’m sure you already know that Britechester is the top school in the country, and we offer much better social groups than Foxbury does.
Prosperity: I’d bet that students at Foxbury would say the same thing.
Devon: Yeah, but they’d be lying. *to Darby, who walks over* Right, Ty?
Darby the Dragon: Absolutely! Why be a lowly lobster when you can be a mighty dragon?
After listening to all the ways that Britechester is supposedly better than Foxbury, I make my way to my final stop in my tour of the campus…the student center. It’s a small cozy building, with a full-service cafeteria. I’m impressed by the selection of food choices, including Apple Pie, Lobster Tortellini, and an incredibly fresh garden salad. I’m not very hungry, so I choose the Garden salad.
I find a spot to eat, feeling like I belong here. Just visiting makes me excited to begin my studies here. I almost can’t wait for the Spring. Missing Kai, I hurry and finish up my meal and leave the building. It’s time to get back to Sulani.
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
