Chapter 1
Melissa
I was really starting to enjoy studying abroad here in Ireland. It had always been a dream of mine to travel and see the world. Plus, there’s the additional benefit of continuing my education.
Lately, this whole experience has mostly just tired me out, though. As if the studying wasn’t difficult enough, being on my own here meant getting a job to support myself and pay for my school expenses.
My opportunities for fun and exploration quickly became nonexistent. Now my time is spent between work and school. Finding the perfect balance for both of them is extremely difficult.
I slide into a seat at a small cafe near my school. I can’t afford to order anything, but I just want to rest for a few minutes before I hurry back to the library to study some more.
It was a long day of research for this paper I’m writing, but there’s something else that has my mind preoccupied as well. There’s been a rumor going around school that the price of tuition is increasing.
This is what has been bothering me all day. I tried asking a couple of my classmates, but no one knows if it’s actually true. I made the decision to stop by the registrar’s office after class and find out the truth.
I have to mentally prepare myself for that. I usually don’t like confrontation and prefer to keep to myself. But I need to know if this rumor is true or not. If it is, then I’ll have to find a way to increase my hours at work. I’m not looking forward to that.
I take a few seconds and stare at the other people in the cafe. I remind myself of how I like the people and the culture here, of why I am doing this.
Eventually I get to my feet and walk back outside. It’s cold today, so I tighten my jacket around me and walk back towards the school. I can’t wait for the spring weather.
This is probably the only thing I haven’t adjusted to yet, the cold climate. The people here are used to it, but I don’t know if I ever will be. Being from Idaho, I’m used to some cold, but here in Dublin, it’s a whole new level.
I finally arrive back at school. I walk down the corridors, my mind full of worry about what they might tell me.
I arrive at the office quicker than I expected. I turn the handle to the door and walk in. Despite not liking confrontation, I can be very determined, especially when it’s about something important.
“Excuse me, I have a question,” I announce, as I walk up to the registrar’s desk.
The guy sitting behind it ignores me for a few seconds, before asking, “Yes, what can I do for you?” in a bored voice.
He doesn’t even bother to look at me.
“Well, I heard other students talking on campus, and I was wondering if it’s true that they are going to increase the cost of the tuition this year?” I ask.
I almost hesitate, but this is too important. I need an answer.
He sighs impatiently and says, “I’m sorry but we are not allowed to give out information like that…”
He had started out as if he was giving me a rehearsed speech, but now that he’s finally glancing up at me, he stops talking and looks me up and down. My skin crawls as he leers at me. This guy is so not my type, and he gives me the creeps.
“However, I think I could make an exception for a beautiful girl like you, so pretty and curvaceous,” he responds, wiggling his bushy eyebrows at me.
I try not to gag, because this guy is repulsive, and not just personality wise, either. His looks, his aura, and just everything about him are so gross.
I hate being forced into situations like this. But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do to find out some important information. I swallow deeply and plaster a smile on my face.
“Well, I would certainly appreciate any help you could give me,” I say, trying to sound a little breathless.
I bat my eyelashes at him a few times, then look away, pretending to be embarrassed. I can tell he believes my fake flirting.
“How about I talk to you about it later tonight?” he asks, leaning over his desk and leering at me even more obviously.
I try not to shudder at how close he is to me, but I whisper back, “Well, I really need an answer now, because I’ll be late for class…”
I try to pout and act helpless like I’ve seen the girls do in movies. It works.
As I wait for his answer, I can’t help but think to myself, “This is why I’m still a virgin. The only guys who want to get with me are so gross.”