**Author's note**
I'm updating daily now that I'm on holiday, I hope you enjoy!!
Sorry if the plot is a little slow at first, I want to introduce the characters in an memorable way. Please bear with me, and have some honey in this episode.
(Vote if you get that pun) XD
Chapter Three
"It is difficult to accept death in this society because it is unfamiliar.
In spite of the fact that it happens all the time; we never see it."
~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
I could not imagine myself here, in front of the whole school of medicine, here at University of Albertson about to receive my short lab coat, a tribute to starting the 2 year pre-medical program. Traditionally, it was a 3rd year medical student who gave us our lab coats, as they had just crossed the threshold into the grueling medical years ahead of them. They would soon be transferred to the local hospital, Kingsley Medical Centre which was not far from the campus.
Here I was. My heart was hammering in my chest and I glanced sideways to see my future 23 classmates looking as antsy as I was feeling. Phew. I looked across the audience and saw my brother, looking absolutely dashing in his jet black suit, his hair silken and pulled back for once. My heart sank as I realized I was just looking for my father's tired yet enthusiastic face. I could imagine him grinning at me and waving at me, mouthing words of encouragement.
I was brought back into reality by the silent tear that fell across my cheek, splashing against the makeup I took so long to apply this morning. I quickly wiped it away and breathed in; smoothing the dark blue dress I wore. Finally, the graduates started filing in onstage, each holding a lab coat and wearing a long lab coat themselves. I smiled as I imagined myself in their shoes; in two years. A familiar face stopped my thoughts in my tracks quite effectively.
It was him. What was he doing here? Frans walked past, stopping only to smile at the crowd where the applause suddenly grew absolutely thunderous. I could understand why. With the fitting white button shirt he wore and those seemingly tight pants, he was a sight for sore eyes. I wondered curiously whether he had as nice a chest under that shirt. I could almost imagine myself unbuttoning it..
As if he could hear me, Frans flipped his head around and our eyes met. For a split second, everything stopped and all I could concentrate on was trying to breathe as his eyes seemed to plunge deep into my soul, extracting all my deepest secrets with it. Then as if he was talking to me, I could hear his puzzled voice.
What is she doing here?
I frowned at him and this seemed to break the spell. He continued walking on and the graduates stood behind us. I felt a presence behind me and I prayed that it wasn't Frans. That only happened in movies, right? The university anthem was played as I felt a coat being placed gently on my shoulders. We were required to turn around and shake their hands, a symbol of friendship and respect toward our seniors.
Silently praying, I slowly turned round and my eyes landed not on Frans; but an equally tall boy who sported a mess of brown hair and pretty green eyes. They sparkled and I smiled as I put my coat on properly before shaking his hand. He had a firm grip and his hand was warm against my cold one. As I turned around to wave at my ecstatic brother, I forgot all about Frans as fresh tears spilled down my face.
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I trudged with my heavy suitcase as my brother carried my school bag, complaining all the way we were heading to my new dorm room. I had tried getting an apartment close to school but my brother advised me against it; retailing stories of his friends who had tried the first year of medical school and found it hard to stay anywhere but school due to the unpredictable schedule and late nights in the labs. The dorm room I ended up choosing was almost like an apartment, with two spacious rooms, a tiny kitchen and bathroom. The only flaw was that I was sharing the dorm with a girl supposedly in her second year. The matron who gave me the keys assured me of her good nature, calling her Miss Hicleking.
"Vee, why the hell is this thing heavier than all of me combined?" Nicholas whined as he helped me carry the suitcase up the treacherous stairs. I groaned silently.
"Medical books are heavy and expensive. We're lucky Father had a lot of them in his library," I said and he kept silent.
Even though our father's death happened almost a month ago, I still felt it raw. It didn't help that it was also the first time I had come home completely wasted and ruined most of the evidence with me vomiting in the place he died. I pushed those thoughts away for a moment and concentrated on pulling the suitcase up the final step.
As we arrived at the door, my brother breathed heavily and wiped sweat off his forehead. I shook my head, smiling as I caught my own breath.
"You're so unfit, Nick," I said sticking out my tongue.
My brother simply mussed my hair once, before beckoning me to open the door.
"I hope you have a hot roommate, I need a distraction," he said and yelped when I elbowed him.
"Shut up Nick," I whispered as I opened the door and walked in, dragging the suitcase in with me.
The dorm looked pretty clean, with wooden floorboards and white wash walls. Two doors faced me and two doors on each side. With a slight grin, I let go of the suitcase, leaning it against the wall as I opened the door directly in front of me. It opened, revealing the prettiest room ever. I sighed in content as my eyes traveled across the large Victorian style windows that seemed to take all of the south wall. The rest of the room had a single bed, a desk with a lamp and a little closet. I flipped round and grinned wider at my brother who was as awed at the room as I was.
"Whoa! No wonder these rooms are so expensive," he said as he walked in and dumped the bag he was carrying on the floor.
"Nicholas!" I scolded him, thinking of how fragile it was.
Perhaps that was not the best moment my future roommate could walk in. I heard someone pushing the front door open and I silently cursed as I pulled my brother into my room and I slammed the door shut.
"Why are you hiding?" he asked puzzled and I put my hand over his mouth. He licked it and I withdrew it, disgusted.
"Hello? Is that Violet?" I heard a familiar voice. Puzzled, I gave my brother the sharpest glare and inched towards the bedroom door, opening it slowly. I could not have been more surprised by none other than Amber standing on the other side.
At least our expressions mirrored our astonishment. Her brown eyes eyed my haggard appearance, dressed in a pair of black sweatpants and an over sized tank top. I couldn't even begin to register what she was wearing; she looked like she just stepped out of a glossy magazine with a fitting blue blouse and a black tiny skirt. My brother whistled appreciatively. It was Amber who finally spoke.
"Hi, you're the girl from the coffee shop!" she exclaimed.
My face reddened. "You're Miss Hicleking?"
Her eyes lit up and the feeling of warmth I had felt before when I first met her filled me again, making me feel comfortable in her presence. She extended her hand toward me.
"Well then, I think I'll properly introduce myself. I'm Amber Hicleking. I'm in my second year of medical school. I hope we can get along," she said I shook her hand.
I smiled nervously. "I'm Violet. I start medical school tomorrow."
My brother cleared his throat loudly. I turned to glare at him and then smiled at Amber, pulling him closer. "This-" I elbowed him," is Nicholas, my brother."
"Enchanté mademoiselle," he said, leaning forward to take her hand and placed a small kiss on the back of it.
"Nicholas!" I scolded once again, shooting an apologetic look to Amber.
Amber laughed. "Oh, it's no problem. It's nice to meet you Nicholas."
He grinned and I imagined he tried to look seductive. "Oh, please. Call me Nick." He said, with a wink.
I rolled my eyes. This was going to be a long year.