College Time Freeze

Time Control

I was just a normal guy. Mostly average. Graduated in the middle of my class, played football, basketball, and baseball. Was not a standout, just a position player that did his job. My best friend, Tyler, her was the star. He was on Varsity from Freshman till we graduated. He was Valedictorian, got scholarships to any school he wanted, both for sports and smarts. He dated Kimi, the head cheerleader and was always at all the parties. I was always the “oh, you can come too” invitee. Well, we graduated. I got accepted to the Big State University. I had to work most nights as I did not get a scholarship. My parents help when they can. Tyler and Kimi also got into BSU, though he got in on a full ride football scholarship and she got in by Daddy’s money.

As I packed my room, my parents decided to turn my room into a gym, I found a broken watch my grandpa gave to me. He said he found it in Japan during the way and planned to fix it as it did not run. He said he spent years trying to get it ticking and took it to multiple watch repair shops, he even took it to Japan on a trip to see If he could find the maker, but no one ever heard of it, which was common. He gave it to me when I was 12 and said maybe I could fix it. It ended up in a box in my closet till now.

“Mike, Dinner” my mom yelled.

I tossed the watch into a box I was taking to school with me, hardly thinking.

As I walked into the kitchen I could smell Creole Pasta, my favorite.

“For your last dinner till you move I decided to make something you love” my mom said sitting down. “Are you all packed?”

“Yes, I will bring the boxes I am leaving to the basement tonight and back the car so I can leave super early. I want to make sure I find the place and not get lost.” I said taking my plate.

“That’s smart. I am sure Dad can help, right?” She said to my dad, who was busy on his phone.

“Uhh, yeah, sure. Whatever you need. You can also leave them in the room, and I can do it, I don’t want you sore on your first day of school. The car ride is what, 4 hours?”

“Yes, but it will be fine.”

“Oh, I am going to miss you! You better call at least once a week and send me grades. If I see you slipping, I will pull you out of that school so fast.” My Mom said, pointing her fork at me.

“I would do it son,” My Dad said, back to his phone.

“I know, the first year is not too tough, I think I plan on only a handful of classes that could be tough, the rest are cake walks. Nothing in the first semester. I will also be visiting on holidays too.” I said eating.

“Good”

The rest of the night went smooth, finished packing, moved the boxes, and packed the car. I set my alarm and went to bed.

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Ugh, already? I thought looking at my watch. 4 am. Yup. I get up, get dressed and I am out the door.

The trip to BSU was quick. It did not feel like 4 hours. I arrived at the school, got my parking, dorm number and cafeteria card. I park my car, grab a card, and unload my car. I take it to my room, passing a ton of people. It was a coed dorm so a ton of girls. I was in a freshman dorm, so they all looked just as lost.

I get to my dorm and walk in, 2 beds, a bathroom, and a small kitchen area. Cool. I start unpacking. I hear a knock and head pokes in.

“You decent?”

“Yeah! come in” I yell standing up.

An Asian guy walks in, huge glasses, he is carrying a suitcase. Next, I assume his parents walk in, speaking a foreign language looking around the room.

“Hi, I am Ben, these are my parents, who are leaving soon” he said shaking my hand.

“Yes, yes, I know, moving out and now you think you are a big man.” His dad said putting down the stuff he was carrying. “This place is pretty nice.”

“Hi! I am Thuy, Ben’s mom, here, this is my number, Ben’s dads’ number, his doctor’s number, an emergency contact number and out address, please call if he bugs you” His mom said handing me a piece of paper.

“Oh my God Mom! You said you weren’t going to do that again. “Ben yelled.

“Oh stop, we are leaving like you want. Come Hun, we gotta stop by the Dean office, and all his teachers.” Ben’s dad said leading Ben’s mom out of the room.

Ben slammed the door as they left.

“Jesus that was embarrassing. I swear I am normal; my parents are not.” He said sitting on his bed, hands covering his face.

“Its fine, first day away from home, some parents freak out.”

“Yeah, at least they didn’t make me go with them like they did the last 12 years.”

We unpack, doing small talk.