3 - textbook pickup

Amina

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Ah yes, the second day of school.

This means the second round of the first day since we switch classes every day. Now I had a whole new set of classes to visit today. But before that, I have arranged to pick up that book from the student I spoke to on the app Halle showed me. I had no idea who the person was or anything about them. But I was meeting them in a public place so I wasn't concerned.

The school library was huge and contained several different floors and rooms. I was supposed to be meeting the person on the second floor near the elevator.

My phone suddenly beeps and I look down to check it.

user221570: I'm sitting at a table next to the 2nd elevator wearing a black shirt.

Hopefully, they aren't too hard to find.

I get to the second floor and immediately notice the person wearing a black shirt seated in the corner and head toward him. As I get closer I start to realize who he was and let out a sigh. He looks up at me displeased as well, "Are you stalking me or something? Wanna unplug my headphones too?" He asks sarcastically.

Of course, my asshole neighbor was the one selling me my textbook.

"Can I just see the book?"

He pulls the book out of his backpack and drops it on the table in front of him. "Money."

Maybe he was a drug dealer, this felt a lot like that. Not that I have ever been involved in a drug deal, but I had watched enough TV.

I pull out the twenty dollar bill from my wallet and hand it to him. He raises it into the light before putting it into his pocket. "Since it's you, the price is $35 now."

I scoff, "You can't do that! We already had an agreement."

He shrugs, "I don't remember shaking on anything. Plus you broke the cord for my speaker and I need to replace it."

"You should've turned down your music in the first place. Give me my money back if you won't sell me the book."

He pulls the twenty out of his pocket and hands it to me, "Fine go get it at the bookstore for $50."

I sigh knowing he's right, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction of winning either. "How about we negotiate?" I propose as I take a seat in front of him.

He shakes his head, "$35, or leave."

"How about $25?"

He pulls out his phone and ignores me.

"$30?"

His attention was completely fixated on his phone. I glare at him, feeling rather disrespected. "I don't need this!" I grab my things and begin to leave the area.

"You will when you fail Professor Crutchfield's class." He calls out as I walk away. I ignore him. I refuse to let him get his way. I'll find the book elsewhere, no big deal.

I head over to the school's bookstore. I still had time before class started so might as well. I search through the aisles for the textbook. I looked under 'K' for the author's last name. I looked under the management department. I even checked in the business section.

"I'm looking for the Fundamentals of Management by Alan Kroger. I can't seem to find it on the shelves." I tell the lady at the front desk.

"Oh yes! That book was in high demand this semester so we ran out very quickly. The next shipment should be here by September 30th."

My eyes widen, "That's in like 3 weeks! Where else can I get it?"

She taps her pen as she thinks, "Have you tried that social app for the campus? I hear it's easy to get books on there from other students!"

I give her a fake polite smile, "Thanks. I'll check it out." She smiles back at me before telling me to have a good day as I walk away.

I was frustrated now. I checked the app again and nobody else had responded to my comment besides that jerk. I sat down outside on a bench in front of the bookstore before posting another post asking about the book and decided to wait for replies. I even texted Caleb to ask if maybe he had one since he also happened to be a business major.

Sadly he had sold his last semester and I had no new responses to my post. I refused to admit defeat and decided to check Google. The prices online for the book were atrocious, $75 just because they were low in stock!

I eventually got tired of the disappointment and headed to my first class of the day, which also happened to be the class I needed to book for. The professor most likely isn't requiring the textbook the first day anyway.

I hope.

I arrive at the hall where my class is to be held and search for the correct room number. When I finally found it, the classroom was much smaller than I expected. Much more intimate than my other classes. This class had only about 15 desks as opposed to my finance class which had 120 students.

I took a seat in the back this time to prevent the professor from noticing my lack of preparation. I was early, so only myself and a guy in a corner seat were there. I pull out my planner and check to see what else is in store for today, being sure to cross off my entry labeled 'pick up management textbook in the library'. As time passed more and more students came in followed by the professor himself.

"Good morning class, welcome to Management 101." The older man begins writing his name on the board and uses a remote to turn on the projector. "I am Professor Crutchfield, your teacher for this semester. Today we will be going over the syllabus and my expectations of you for this semester."

"First things first, I do not tolerate tardiness. Excessive tardies or absences will result in a grade decrease. This can be found on page 3 of the syllabus, which you should be using to follow along with me right now."

I had the syllabus in front of me that I had printed last night. I didn't bother to read it because it was 10 pages long for whatever reason and decided to let him explain the most important parts during class.

"Next in regards to the textbook, it is a necessity for this class. Hence its name being the fundamentals of management. Without this book, you will not pass my class. I expect this book to be brought into class every session. Any day without a book results in a strike. Three strikes and you will be dropped from my class. Today will be the only exception, it being the first day. But on Thursday I will be checking, so be sure to bring it."

I gulp, I'm screwed.

The professor continues to go on and on about his rules and expectations. He sounded worse than my parents. By the end of the class period, I felt drained and stressed out. It was going to be a tough class. And I needed that book badly.

The rest of the school day went on with little to no excitement. I didn't see my cousins around and I didn't make any new friends. The highlight of my day was walking by the club tables for club rush and getting to talk to different clubs. I only had one other class besides Crutchfield and was able to leave campus earlier than yesterday.

By the time I made it back to my place, it was around 1 pm. I hated admitting defeat in any way. Whether it be admitting I'm wrong or giving in to what someone wants. Yet here I was, outside of Dominic's door hoping the book was still available. I knew he was home because music could be heard from his apartment.

I knocked and let out a sigh, here we go.

I knocked again, a little harder after getting no response, and the door opened soon after. "What?" He asks rudely.

I glare at him, "You seriously lack any manners. I'm here to buy the book off of you."

"I'm not selling it anymore."

My eyes widen, "Why not? I'll pay the $35!"

He shrugs, "I just don't like you."

I gasp, "Everyone likes me!"

He groans and attempts to shut the door. "Wait!" I stop it with my leg. "Please, I will never talk to you again if you sell me the book."

He raises an eyebrow, "Okay deal, $35 then. And you have to promise."

I reach out my hand, "It's a deal."

He grabs my hand to shake and I can't help but notice how big his hands are. You know what they say about big hands. I yank my hand from his grip, I don't want to have such inappropriate thoughts for this asshole.

I pull out the cash as he picks the book off of his table and hands it to me. I let out a sigh of relief now that the book was finally mine. "Thank you." He nods before shutting the door in my face again. "Asshole." I mutter.

I walk inside my apartment and see Kendra in the kitchen. "Why are you never at school?" I ask her.

"I am! I had a class this morning and I've been here since."

"So you're done for the day?" I ask.

She shakes her head, "The rest of my classes are either at night or online. What are you doing back so soon?"

"My Tuesdays are shorter I guess."

She nods, "Have you eaten? I was just about to head out for lunch."

"Alone?"

"That's why I'm asking you silly."

I laugh as I accept her offer and head out. "So where are we going?" I ask as we get into her Toyota Camry.

"There's a diner nearby that I love, they have the best sub sandwiches. Oh and the best fries!"

We arrived at the diner and it was quite busy. There were people seated everywhere and it had a cute 50's theme. After finding seats a young waitress with a thick southern accent approaches us with a notepad, "Welcome to Mel's what drinks can I get started for you?"

"I'll have a lemonade." I tell the woman.

"And I'll have coke."

The waitress writes it down, "Are y'all ready to order or need a few minutes?"

Kendra looks at me and I nod. "I'll get the turkey club sandwich with waffle fries."

"And I'll get the cheeseburger with cheddar cheese and curly fries."

"Alrighty! I'll be back with your drinks in a bit." The waitress walks off while scribbling on her notepad.

"You going to the welcome back party this weekend?" Kendra asks.

"Party? I didn't even know about it."

"You should come! It's always so fun and it's thrown by some rich guy. His house is in Beverly Hills so the parties usually get crazy. And his house is massive. You can come with me and my friend Stephanie!"

"When is it?" I ask.

"On Saturday. I think doors open at 8."

"Let me see." I pull out my planner from my bag before checking what I had on Saturday. I was free both Friday and Saturday, meaning I could do my homework beforehand.

"You brought your planner to lunch?" She asks with a laugh.

"I bring it everywhere." I respond as I write down 'party' under Saturday. "Alright, I'll come. It'll be my first college party."

She smiles, "Perfect! You'll have so much fun."

The waitress returns with our drinks as well as our meals and we begin eating. The food was delicious and we finished every last bite. Kendra lays back into her seat, "I'm stuffed."

I nod in agreement, before sparking conversation. "Do you work Ken?"

She nods, "I have an internship at a senior living facility and it's paid."

"That sounds cool. I need a job badly."

I sigh as the waitress appears again to take our plates, "Did y'all enjoy your meals?"

"Yes, delicious!"

The waitress smiles, "That's great to hear. And I couldn't help but overhear. We're hiring if you're interested?"

I quirk an eyebrow, "Really? I've never worked in a restaurant."

"That's what training is for sweetie, if you're interested I can bring you an application?"

I nod my head, "Okay sure! Thank you." She smiles before taking away our plates and returning soon after with an application and a bill in her hand. We paid our split checks and I left an extra tip for the waitress.

"Come again!" She calls out.

Ken and I ride back home, discussing the party, school, and other things. After finally arriving back to the apartment I decide to get caught up with my assignments to free my schedule for Saturday.

My first college party, I wonder what it'll be like. Would it be like the ones on TV where everyone's on the floor passed out or making it in some corner? Was I going to be peer pressured into doing drugs? Would I meet the love of my life and dance the night away?

I guess I'll have to wait until Saturday to see.

———

Let me know how you think the story is going so far. What do we think about Dominic? 👀

Like and comment please!

AuggiePooh_