Page 3 of Kalix

KALIX

Another day, another class to attend. I puff on the cigarette hanging between my lips, letting it settle some of the annoyance. It’s the only thing keeping me sane right now.

I’m in my third semester at this damn school and I’m counting down the minutes until I can finally escape this hell hole. The only reason I’m here is to prove that I’m something more than the egg and sperm donors that I came from.

Once I finish my cig, I head out the front door and stomp out the butt. The taste of the nicotine still coats my tongue as I jog down the stairs and back to my bike. I check my watch to see that I’m right on time.

Pulling out onto the street, I race down, allowing the vibration of my bike soothe my nerves.

First days are always hard, never knowing how much of a dick the professor will be or what will come of the semester while you’re there.

I have to finish, but I’m the first to say that school is not my forte.

While lost in my thoughts, I see the guys in front of me and rev ahead to meet up with them.

Reed and Isaac have been my ride or die since I can remember.

We went to all the same schools, and ended up together at the same college.

Life wouldn’t be the same without them and I sure as fuck wouldn’t want it to be any different.

As I pull into the group, we all give a head nod to one another and my helmet connects to the bluetooth to join the conversation.

“Welcome, slowpoke,” Reed jokes.

“Not my fault you guys were coming in early. I was right on time,” I quip back, checking my watch again to make sure I’m correct.

“Ah, leave him alone,” Issac says.

The guys both laugh and I can’t help but shake my head. Despite how annoying they can be, they don’t normally piss me off like the rest of the world. Sure, we’ve gotten into it and punches have been thrown in each direction but once the fire dies down, we’re cool again.

They continue to joke, Issac even popping a wheelie to show off to some chicks in the car next to us, but I just tune them out the best I can.

When we pull onto campus, we all park and pull our helmets off before looking around. Reed says hi to some friends walking past as I dismount my bike, but I ignore them. They’re all much more social than I am. I have them and that’s it. Any more and I’m not sure I could take it everyday.

We all walk together to our first class, which, this term, happens to be biology.

The first couple of years, they make us take some general courses in the midst of bachelors specific courses.

I’ve found that science is okay, if I have to pick a random subject.

Clearly my favorite, and the one I’m best at, is fine arts.

I choose music every year and pass with flying colors.

My backpack is slung over one shoulder while the breeze blows the long hair on top of my head. The sides are buzzed short, allowing the tattoos I have there to show clearly. I stand out, but as long as people don’t bug me they can stare all they want.

Once we get to our class, we all sit in the same row.

I pull out a notebook and pencil. I’m shocked at myself for being this prepared, since it’s not normally something I am.

Scooching myself deeper down into the seat, I prop my feet up on the small space between the chairs in front of me, getting comfortable.

The professor walks in and starts droning on, already boring me half to death. Here’s to another class.

I couldn’t be happier that biology is done. It’s normally something I can get into, but this professor is so boring that I may drop out now. I would get my money back or I could even try to take something else.

This idea sounds better and better the more I think about it.

“Hey, I’m going to run to enrollment and see if I can switch out of the class. I can’t keep doing it with him, he’s going to drive me up a wall.”

“What happened to us all taking classes together?” Isaac asks.

“Well, good thing is, our schedules are the same. Don’t be such an ass. If you want to stay in the same class then let’s go.” I turn to walk away, either they’ll follow me or not.

I sneak a look over my shoulder to see both of them following after me. Fucking losers.

We cross the courtyard, other students sitting outside catching up with the friends they haven’t seen since spring. Does no one keep in contact over summer? Is that not a common thing? Shaking it off, I make my way inside and walk to the counter.

“Uh, hi, I’m in B1111 and I would like to change the class or drop it all together. I guess I just want to see my options here, but whatever it is, I can’t stay in that class.”

“Is there something wrong with the class?”

“Yeah, the professor is going to bore me half to death. I just either want out or to switch classes, like I just said.”

I lean against the counter, allowing the lady behind me to work her magic as I turn my gaze to the guys.

They’re pushing each other and laughing at something stupid one of them probably said while I go first so they can make their decisions.

We don’t have to adjust their schedules, I couldn’t care less.

“Okay.” The lady's voice brings my attention back to her, “We can either move you to a chem class at the same time and get you the credit you need or we can drop you. With your schedule set the way it is, there’s no other option.”

“I guess give me chem then,” I say with an exaggerated exhale. Blowing shit up is chem, right? This could be fun.