The Coldest Summer✓

One

After hassling with the L. A traffic jam, I arrive at the campus about an hour later, still hung over from lack of proper sleep. I guess it's one of those times you may wonder how the rest of the day will be. First a haunted night, and then an awful morning filled with heat and noise.

Good morning, Hollywood.

But my smile returns the moment I walk into the campus of one of the prestigious universities in California. Gigantic buildings and lush green vegetation distract my mind as I mingle with a mass of students and employees walking hurriedly to their respective destinations.

It's the last day of summer finals. Despite everything, U.C.L.A feels like home. It is a home. I schooled here, now I work here.  It's the only world I know.

"Morning, Kira. I'm glad you're early." Dana, our office assistant, regards me as soon as I arrive. Her black heels clack on the tiles as she walks over. "New dress? Looks good." Her smile is genuine but dubious.

"Thanks but.... everything okay?" I reply while putting my belongings atop my desk, ready to receive the bomb she's about to drop.

I know it's a bomb.

She is dark-skinned, short, slim, and talks like a broken record, but rather very efficient.

I glance up at her, and she looks in quite a frenzy; her short hair is all ruffled from constant scratching, I suppose, for it's what she normally does when things get tough in the office, and her manicured fingers are busy scrolling her tablet.

God, help me!

"You're supervising the morning exams today, so you better get ready, dear," she urges, and here the bomb explodes. "Only ten minutes left," she adds.

"What? But that's crazy! How come no one told me?" I lament, my voice begrudging—even though it's nothing new.

We do have an official schedule posted in the Teachers Information System but somethings life happens.

"Because Professor Ingrid fell sick so I received changes some minutes ago. Sorry, sweetie." Dana gives me an apologetic smile, ready to find her next victim.

Just great!

I work as a teaching assistant at the University of California, Los Angeles. The job that I never dreamed of, but came after me either way. I got direct recruitment as soon as I graduated here two years ago.

Now I've learned to love and enjoy it. Who knows? Maybe it's my call.

I head straight to the auditorium, where the freshmen are already seated. Eyeing them for a while, I end up smiling at the few faces looking so anxious as though approaching judgment day.

Well, who likes exams?

As the students poke their noses in the papers, my cell phone buzzes. I get a few distasteful looks that force me to walk out immediately not to disturb them. It's Samantha, my only crazy friend that would never let me live in boredom.

We're like SpongeBob and Patrick.

"Hey, Sam, don't you know it's business hours now?" I snap, half-shutting the door behind me.

I stall by the hall.

"I know, but chill out," Sam quips, her voice full of ecstasy as though she's landed herself a new Mr. Gatsby.

"What is it?" I urge, fully aware that I'm breaking the rule and I may get in trouble if things go west.

"You're taking a leave this time, right?" she asks in her sassy voice, her enthusiasm unearthly.