5. Awkward Spaces

Bridgeport, Present Day

 The campus teemed with students – both new and returning. The first day of lectures always set the place abuzz. Frantic first years were trying to make it to every lecture on time and returning students, binging on smuggled booze, were gossiping in the gardens.

 Amy straightened her skirt for the umpteenth time. The grey floors and stone walls of the waiting area mimicked the feeling of foreboding that came with meeting the Dean for anything other than a chat over tea.

 She cradled her head in her hands thinking of the encounter she had just moments before.

 “Excuse me.” She gently tapped the girl on her shoulder. When she turned around, Amy stared at her for as long a time as possible before it became rude and a little disturbing.

 Her lips had formed Arianne’s name but no sound travelled out to accompany it and so it just lingered there awkwardly. “I’m sorry; I thought-” Like Arianne’s name, the rest of the sentence remained incomplete; suspended in mid-air between Kat and Amy.

“I’m looking for the Dean’s office.” She finally managed to come out with it. “Dean of Finance and Economics.”

Now, as she sat in Block A outside room A012, Amy couldn’t shake the feeling that was twisting around in the pit of her stomach.

 The girl had the same sparkling green eyes that slanted upward to give her that dreamy look; her hair was the same shade of auburn with soft curls that hung loosely over her shoulders; and there was no mistaking the high set cheek bones that always made Amy slightly jealous of her sister. She even had the straight, thin Livingston nose. The only significant difference that Amy could point out was the girl’s face shape: it was rounder, fuller than Arianne’s long heart-shaped face that ended perfectly in a dainty chin. If it wasn’t for that, the girl would be a dead ringer for her sister.

She sighed heavily and shrugged it off. She knew that the girl was definitely not Arianne. Arianne was dead.

“The dean will see you now.”

 Kat took a long sip of her soda. The cool liquid ran down her throat, chilling her insides and giving her a moment’s relief from the heat. Summer was still persisting; and rather vehemently. Occasionally a slight breeze would waft in through the open windows, but it was as warm and stuffy as the cafeteria. She shifted in her seat, feeling the eyes of the cafe regulars on her; reminding her that this wasn’t her place on campus. The hive of activity and abundance of slackers made her feel uneasy; it was the primary reason she detested the place. She didn’t know why she had chosen it as a meeting spot.

 She was about to send a text that she’d be elsewhere, when Loryn slipped into the chair opposite her.

“You should have come.” She tossed a knowing look straight at her best friend before helping herself to some of Kat’s soda. 

 “Maybe next weekend.” A meek smile formed on Kat’s face as the white lie tumbled out before she could stop it. She was all for a good party as long as the venue wasn’t infested with other students who couldn’t hold their alcohol. But it was becoming increasingly rare as more high school graduates left their sleepy little towns to attend university in the big city filled with all sorts of vices.

“So what did you end up doing then?” 

“Thought about a movie but I just ended up sleeping.” She shrugged, avoiding Lor’s gaze. Before the sermon about being young and enjoying the parties while their bodies could still keep up, Kat started to explain the appearance of Arianne’s diary among the books. Unlike Amy, she had forgotten about their little encounter a few minutes ago.

“It’s 10:20.” Lor cut in.

“Oh right. Let’s go.”

“Wait, you were going to tell me something?” Lor reminded her but it wasn’t important. It was just an old diary she had come across. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary; in her eyes at least.

“C’mon or we’ll miss the chance to tell Kotler our favourite sex position and choice of drug.” The two giggled as they gathered their books and bags before heading to their first lecture of the semester with the impious Professor Kotler.

 “You understand that your application is late?” Dr. Reid’s eyes travelled down the bridge of her nose and fell onto the student in front of her.

“I understand but given the circumstances that I was in-” Amy had concocted many stories to serve as an explanation for wanting to pick up her studies in Bridgeport. She had finally settled on one about her mother who had fallen ill in the middle of her third year. “So I had to leave to take care of her.” She watched the dean nod solemnly before continuing. “I didn’t want to pick up mid-year; I don’t mind starting over, in fact.”

“Why Bridgeport?” 

 “I couldn’t stay in Sunset Valley anymore. The memories...” Her voice trailed off. It would have been easier for her to just compel the dean into accepting her application but she hated the very thing. It was manipulative and dangerous; especially if the compulsion didn’t go as planned. Nick had yet to find out if the city folk were on vervain – an herb that allowed humans to resist compulsion. In their travels they had learned that founding councils of small towns knew more about vampires than they had let on so they had to be as careful, if not more, in the bigger cities.

“I assure you, Dr. Reid, that I will be a great asset. I am aware that the university, the faculty of commerce in particular, prides itself on academic excellence. The proof is in my records.” Fortunately she didn’t have to alter the dates on her academic record; it had only been two years since they left Sunset Valley. Things had started getting risky as new vampires had found their way into the suburb and began attacking joggers and other locals who dared to stay out past 11pm – a curfew that had been set after the first attack. 

 A feeling of accomplishment washed over her as Dr. Reid’s lips curled into a smile. “You may start attending lectures.”

“Thank you so much.” She shook the dean’s hand and swiftly made her exit. 

As she stepped out of the administration block and into the blistering heat, she caught a glimpse of the girl. She was heading toward the lecture block. Amy paused for a moment; the crazy idea to follow the girl had just struck her. In the end, she decided against it.

 The campus was small and there’d be more opportunities to run into her – away from the fluorescent lights. ‘Yep, that’s it. It was the lighting.’ 

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