No Such Thing as a Defected Soul

Chapter 1: Team Reunion

Dead week at the University of Idaho was boring. Just reviews and note taking. Now I know why they call it dead week. I felt dead tired, even though I'm just studying. I had a few review sessions during the week. I hung out at the library and the little café called The Fishbowl inside said library, just to escape the dorms. I read all my notes over and over that I won't be surprised if I could see the lines of my notes in my sleep. I'd run into a few classmates here and there and talked about the classes and ask questions about what they or we'd have issues on. We'd give each other hints and we'd sit together and have a mini review session about said class.

It was the Thursday before finals week and even though it was quiet hours in the dorm, my neighbors just had to play his guitar; the same tune he has been playing all year and nothing different. I packed up my physics and genetics notes for next Friday's tests and my ID card. I walked up the street and into the library. As I sat down in a mini cubicle, I saw two of my high school classmates that weren't too fond of me and I wasn't that fond of them. One of them was on the high school cheerleading team. She was the leader since she was the only senior who did cheerleading. The other, was on the varsity basketball team for three years. I gripped my sleeve and didn't look at them. They both came up to me, of course.

Cindy, the old cheerleader said, "Hey, Kelsi. Heard you weren't studying to be a vet anymore."

Sarah, my old teammate, replied, "Yeah, what are you going for?"

When it came to conversations, I wasn't the best, for I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Not severe, but had a different thinking process than them and most in our class. It was one of the reasons they made fun of me when I was younger for being clumsy, not looking up at people in the eyes, talking awkwardly, and just being me, being different, being someone who they don't understand.

I tried to be brave. We are not in high school anymore. This is our third year of college. I breathed, "I'm in animal production, like harvesting and feeding cattle, sheep, hogs, and goats. Those things."

"Anyways, did you hear of what is going on the weekend after the first week of summer vacation? The boys and girls basketball teams are getting together for a camping trip up Mt. Ebott. Since you were a part of the team, you are invited. We can even pick you up on that Friday and head up."

I narrowed my eyes confusion, "I don't know. I was more like a benchwarmer back then."

Sarah smiled, "Still on the team. It'll be fun."

"I'll think about it, but I just want to get through Finals Week and study. I'll message you later on next week."

Cindy and Sarah left me in the library and said they hope to see me soon. I sighed and opened my genetics lectures and began to take additional notes.

I took a break and took all my stuff to the café in the library. I bought and made a cup of noodles and thought about what the girls had said to me. Being with my old classmates kind of brought back awful memories. Since I was little, I knew I was different than them. I loved basketball, but I was clumsy. I'd trip on the court and the girls laughed at me, saying how I could trip on nothing. The boys also said that. They also made fun of me on the bus on away games that I never spoke to them and would read or study on the way. They'd play games or talk, but not me. In school, they'd call me a teacher's pet since I did my homework early and turn things in early or make my essays longer than assigned. That I was an over-achiever. I remember when my dad was laid off for a while and couldn't afford major items, one girl on the team lost her money and my mom and dad agreed to give her $20 for lunch. Afterwards, she'd still mock me, even after my dad went back to work. They'd also call me spoiled for having a nice laptop and necklaces and school clothes. I wasn't really that spoiled. They'd have the latest iPhone, while I was content with my slide phone that was only activated so that I could contact my parents when I get home after an away game when they drop me off. My laptop was a sweet 16 gift and I needed one for school work, so I wouldn't use my dad's when he needed it. I also had a MP3 player that was cheap, but it still worked. My clothes were from major clothing stores, but I grab the shirts and pants on the clearance rack. They always have the best clothes. Now, I have a smart phone, but not one that is over the top like the newer phones or iphones. Just one to get me through college that my parents pay for. Overall, they just never really got to know me, the real me.