Chapter 2 that is how I met him

I returned to my apartment, opened my laptop and decided to skype my go-to person for advice of any sort.

"Hey Mel, how's everything?" says my sister Rhythm, sitting on her couch some 200 miles away from where I am.

"Hi Ri-Ri, I am fine. How's little Tia?" I ask referring to my adorable 2 year old niece.

"Tia's well, but there is something wrong with you. What's up?" she says sensing my worries from 200 miles away. I don't know how she does it.

"Yes, it's called big sister instinct. Now tell me." She did it again!

So I rant about everything that had been stressing me out; studies, my writing and of course, the search for a dance partner.

Once I was finished, she made me take a long breath.

"Look, as far as your assignments are concerned, firstly, try to be more organised girl, but seeing how that has gone out of the window, I suggest you do the one due earliest first, pull an all-nighter tonight, and if you promise to be on top of your tasks from now, I can help you with the report for your elective." She says with her 'strict yet loving' smile.

"And the more stressed you will be, the worse your writing would feel to you. So just leave it for later and try again after you have sorted out your sh*t...I know you are amazing, and so do you. You just need some time to put your thoughts together."

It amuses me that she can use words like 'sh*t' while giving a motivational speech.

"Lastly, this dance. Mel, it shouldn't worry you, on the contrary it should make you feel excited! I remember my first college dance, you know that's where I first met James, oh good times! Anyway, it's just supposed to be a fun night, so chill. Tell you what, go with the first person who you see when you enter your class tomorrow, I am sure no one would turn you down, besides, both of you would anyway know that you are going to spend the remainder of the dance with your friends. How are Kelly and Sam, by the way?" She takes a pause so I can process all that she said.

"They are fine. Thank you Rhythm, you are the best! I can't believe you have sorted all of this in just 5 minutes. I must say, Tia is lucky to have a mother like you." I reply as all my worries leave me.

"Shut up, you make me sound old. Just because I am a mother now, doesn't mean I have lost it, you know?" She says with a laugh.

"Of course, killer shark lawyer, then, now and forever! The great Rhythm Johnson-Parker." I say with hands in the air.

"That's right sister. Anyway, just try to enjoy your time at the university. You know it won't come back."

"I will, Ri-Ri. So, how's James?" I ask about her husband.

"James is great, he misses you and the banters you guys have."

"Aww, tell him not to worry, his sister-in-law will come ready with better arguments next holidays." I laugh some more. I miss my family.

"I will tell him that. Come soon Mel, we miss you." She says sending me a flying kiss.

"I miss you guys too. Well, I've got to go now, I'll talk to you later. Thanks so much for the help." I wave as she says goodbye and hangs up.

Unlike other pairs of siblings, my sister and I rarely fought. I think it's because she has always been more mature than me, and we never got a reason to argue. She is 7 years elder to me, so even when I was going though teen angst, she was always calm and patient with me. I would even say she was like a third parent! Except better, because I could literally talk about anything to her.

After graduating from law school, she got engaged to James. I didn't like him so much back then. I honestly felt she could do better. But he loves her like she loves him, and what more could I have asked for my sister anyway? James and I always had a love-hate friendship. But it's only family-hate. I would never admit it to him, but he is like a brother to me.

Having most of my problems sorted, I began to work without further procrastination.

It is possible, ok, you just need a whole lot of will power.

Well, it is possible 1% of the times you try.

And this is one of those times, because guess what? I completed my assignments!

Turns out, if you focus on your work with full concentration, you will be able to complete it. Who knew, right?

Everybody did. It's just my lazy self who was late to that party. Whatever.

I look at the time, and it is only 12.30 am right now. Past midnight, but not late. If I sleep right now, and wake up at 6.30 am tomorrow, I will get a good sleep of six hours.

Wow, just doing that math makes me feel sleepy.

Without giving it a further thought, I call it a night, jump on my bed and fall asleep.

******

The next day, I decide to have my breakfast at The Sandwich Bar. I have a good half hour before class begins, so I might as well start my day with a good meal than just a rushed granola bar. As I enter, I spot Kelly sitting on one of the chairs in front of the counter, with her head on the counter.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty." I greet her as I sit beside her.

"Shush, I am so tired."

"Woah, I do not want to know what you and Sam were up to last night."

"Shut up. Why do you sound so cheerful this morning?" She asks while rubbing her eyes.

"Well, I sorted out most of my problems yesterday, and I am treating myself with a breakfast sandwich."

"So you're going to ask someone to the dance?" She asks, her voice filled with excitement.

"That was not at the top of my problems. But I am in no mood to give you a lecture, so I will just answer your question. Yes."

"Yayyyy..but who?"

"Now that's a question I am interested to know the answer of as well."

"What?"

So I tell her what Rhythm told me yesterday, that I will ask the first guy I see in class today.

"Wow I am so excited! Its too bad we only have the last class together today."

I finish my sandwich and did I mention, free fries? I get up from my seat.

"Don't worry. I will fill you in. I need to go now, catch you later."

"Alligator!"

"Really, Kels?"

"Rhyming is always fun, okay."

"Sure, well, buh-bye!" I say and walk to my class.

Our college is huge. Walking to my class in itself feels like a workout. Or it could be that I don't workout usually. Same thing, really.

As I enter the class, I see it is mostly empty except for a few girls who have their noses in their notes. I sit down in the middle row of seats, as I take out my notebook and pen. While I open a fresh page and write the date, I hear a lot of footsteps in the class. I guess almost everyone has entered now. I am still staring at my page, too afraid to look up. Which direction should I look in? Who would I see first? What if it's annoying Andy or whiny Will? I groan as I realise I should have given this more thought.

I decide to look at the door. Ok, fate, it's totally upto you now. Don't disappoint your girl like you usually do.

I look up from my page towards the door. Any minute now.

And in enters the person I would never have imagined I would ask to be my partner.

Relax, it's not the professor.

Well, I guess I will just go up to him and straight up ask him. Maybe I will give him a little context before asking.

"Hey, may I talk to you for a minute, outside?" I ask, as I approach him.

"Sure." He says and we walk up to the door, a few people staring at us.

"Wait, do I know you? I mean I know we share this class but I don't know your name." He tells me, as he leans on the door.

Really? He doesn't even know my name. Oh Dear God, why did I put myself in this situation? Damn my conscience for making me stick to my decision.

"Well, I am Melody Johnson, and I was wondering if you are going to the dance this weekend?"

"Oh yeah, I bought the ticket. Thanks for asking. I'll let my friends know they can approach you if they still haven't got them." He turns to go to his seat.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Do I look like someone selling tickets? I was right, this is all a big mistake. But what will I tell Kelly? I can't listen to her go on and on about asking somebody out all over again. Maybe I should take the plunge. My spontaenity might turn out attractive, for all I know.

"Wait! Darien Adams, will you be my partner for the dance?"

His response left me speechless.