ecieci
7th February 2010, 08:48 AM
Chapter C: Girl Has So Much To Do
“What do you think about cheating?”
You would be surprised at how varied the responses from various people were when this question was asked.
Girl A: “Definitely not worth it. You don’t only lose your boyfriend, but also respect from your friends and future crushes. Boys look down on cheating girls.”
Girl B: “Once a cheater always a cheater.”
Girl C: “Why not? We are young, unmarried, and we only live once. Heck, I’d even consider getting married several times to live my life to the fullest!”
Girl D: “It’s complicated.”
Girl E: “It depends.”
On what?
“On how cute the new guy is.”
Sybille was contemplating the idea. If you compare the two, Max surely won. He’s more good looking, mature and charming than the nice but sometimes too boyish Christian. Christian walked around in unwashed torn jeans and metal bands t-shirts; Max was always neat and manly. Christian had thick glasses and unkempt hair, Max’s hair was cut stylishly and he sometimes wore rimless glasses, interchangeable with his contact lenses with situations demanded it. Christian treated Sybille like his buddy, and Max treated her like a lady.
But Christian loved her, and Max probably didn’t.
She’s sipping her coffee in a daze. In rainy days like these, one couldn’t help to be mellow. Her phone hadn’t rung for days. There wasn’t even an SMS from Max. She hadn’t seen him since that dinner weeks ago. Didn’t he miss her?
I miss you.
That was the single line e-mail that Christian sent her this afternoon. It was rare that he sent e-mail, knowing that he’s not the literary type at all. He’d call instead of SMS, he’d Skype instead of e-mail, that kind of thing. He preferred oral or direct communications as he’s very bad at writing.
So writing this e-mail would have required a lot of effort for him.
She smiled.
And after the coffee, she started to type furiously on her computer, replying his e-mail.
I miss you too.
***
Sybille was walking down the lecture hall together with the rest of the Principles of Economics students when she spotted a figure that instantly made her heart fluttered. “Max …”
Max looked up from his book, and he smiled his brightest smile. “Hey! You just finished a lecture?”
Why is Max here in the Social Sciences building? She’s couldn’t stop but wonder. Is what I’m guessing right? Is he … is he looking for me?
“What ‘hey’?” she pouted. “You didn’t contact me for weeks!”
“You didn’t contact me, either.” He replied, in a rather sad tone.
Thump! I didn’t realize … Sybille felt her cheeks reddened. I didn’t realize he’s also waiting for my call…she felt a little guilty. But what the heck? Why am I the one who has to call?
“Anyway,” Max packed his book back into his backpack and helped carrying Sybille’s thick textbooks. “Let’s have coffee together to celebrate the reunion.” He winked.
Don’t Sybille. You’ve made up your mind to stick to Christian. You can’t buckle now; you have to resist his temptation.
She sighed, and then looked up to him. “You’re paying?”
That day Sybille returned to her room at 11pm. Cora was already in her pajamas, doing some homework armed with a big mug of chamomile tea by her side. She looked up at Sybille rather curiously. “You came back unreasonably late for someone who doesn’t have any clubs or committees.” She commented. Sybille ignored the suspicions between the lines. “Was at the study room.” She replied shortly, then picked her toiletries and proceeded to bathroom.
The truth was, after the coffee, she followed Max to the study room, the place where all university students have 24 hours access, and they studied there together until late. Well, it’s more like Max was studying and she accompanied him. She couldn’t really concentrate with him being so near. Although they didn’t talk much, she was really happy to be with him for such a long time. Max was fully concentrating on his books, and she was on him. The way he read, drank coffee, sighed, the way he held his pen and wrote notes, every little detail about him hypnotized her and made her gaze fixed on him the entire time.
They had dinner break together before going back studying again until almost 11pm. Then Max walked her to her hall before going home himself.
“Today was such a good day. Thank you.” He smiled.
And Sybille was charmed.
She hesitated, but when Max started to walk away, she decided to call him. “Max!”
He turned back. “Yup?”
“…Let’s do it again?” asked her nervously. She’s worried about his response, but somehow there’s a confidence coming from somewhere.
And true, Max smiled so sweetly as a response. He went closer to her and patted her head. “Sure, anytime you want, young lady.”
After the bath Sybille checked her computer for a while. She saw a few missed calls from Christian. Crap, she’d forgotten that their promised Skype date was today. Oh well, I don’t care, she decided, then switched her computer off and went to bed.
Next to her, Cora was watching suspiciously.
***
Recently Sybille had been having a good mood. Her studying spirits improved dramatically well, she didn’t skip a single class, and she didn’t hole up in her bedroom all day when she didn’t have anything else to do. Instead, she’d be out there, in the study room or cafés, full of vitality and happiness.
Max was by her side, studying together almost every day after classes. They had been amazingly close. He seemed settled by the fact that she would be his studying companion until exams, a fact that made her full of joy. She had forgotten about Christian altogether. Her head was full of one and only person, that handsome, charming guy who’d recently spent almost all his time together with her. They were de facto a couple already, she thought. It was just a matter of time until he asked her out officially.
Of course this new habit had not escaped Cora’s attention. Sybille was very careful not to mention who her studying companion was, or why she never seemed to have time to eat together with Cora anymore nowadays. She wanted to be alone for better concentration, she had reasoned. Although she didn’t think Cora fully believed her, at least she didn’t ask further question.
“Christian Skyped me again,” Cora looked at her suspiciously as Sybille opened the room door after another all day studying session with Max at study room. “You’ve broken the promised dates for so many times, and ignored him for a few weeks already. He’s extremely worried. He thought you were sick or something.” Her gaze to Sybille was more accusative than the tone that she used.
But Sybille didn’t care about Christian since a long time ago. In fact, she started to feel bothered by him. “Tell him I’m studying.”
“Are you a moron? Of course I’m not gonna lie for your sake.” Cora retorted.
This made Sybille throw an angry look at her. “What do you mean? Of course I’m really studying.”
“I’m starting to doubt that. You’ve never been so serious about studies before. And since when you picked that habit of going to study room to study. Something is definitely going on.” Cora’s accusative tone was getting stronger.
Sybille lost her temper. “What, am I not allowed to pick new habit? Who are you? My creator?”
“If you are really clean, you should be able to at least e-mail Christian to tell him that you’re busy, instead of ignoring him altogether all this time. It’s like, you’re afraid to face him.”
It’s true. She’s afraid to face him, because she’d been cheating on him all the time he was waiting for her on the other side of the globe. What should she do? She was kind of hoping Christian would finally forget about her if she ignored him long enough, so she didn’t need to admit that she’d fallen for someone else.
Cora inched closer and looked straight into her eyes. “Did you cheat on him?”
That was the final straw. Sybille turned around, trying to hide her embarrassed look from her. She distracted herself by gathering up her toiletries for the bath.
But Cora couldn’t be fooled anymore. She shook her head, with disgusted look on her face. “I don’t fucking believe it.” Her tone was thick with disappointment. “Why did you do it, Sybille? Where’s your self-respect?”
“Stop judging me like you’re so holy!” retorted Sybille, still trying to put up some defense.
“I don’t care whom you fell for, but at least be woman and make up your mind on one guy!” Cora shouted. “Keeping a guy hanging while falling for another guy … what are you, 12 years old?”
That’s it. Sybille had enough. She dropped her toiletries and proceeded straight to her computer. Her e-mail for Christian was short and clear.
I’m sorry, I met someone else. Let’s break up.
Cora stood there, speechless.
***
“What do you think about cheating?”
You would be surprised at how varied the responses from various people were when this question was asked.
Girl A: “Definitely not worth it. You don’t only lose your boyfriend, but also respect from your friends and future crushes. Boys look down on cheating girls.”
Girl B: “Once a cheater always a cheater.”
Girl C: “Why not? We are young, unmarried, and we only live once. Heck, I’d even consider getting married several times to live my life to the fullest!”
Girl D: “It’s complicated.”
Girl E: “It depends.”
On what?
“On how cute the new guy is.”
Sybille was contemplating the idea. If you compare the two, Max surely won. He’s more good looking, mature and charming than the nice but sometimes too boyish Christian. Christian walked around in unwashed torn jeans and metal bands t-shirts; Max was always neat and manly. Christian had thick glasses and unkempt hair, Max’s hair was cut stylishly and he sometimes wore rimless glasses, interchangeable with his contact lenses with situations demanded it. Christian treated Sybille like his buddy, and Max treated her like a lady.
But Christian loved her, and Max probably didn’t.
She’s sipping her coffee in a daze. In rainy days like these, one couldn’t help to be mellow. Her phone hadn’t rung for days. There wasn’t even an SMS from Max. She hadn’t seen him since that dinner weeks ago. Didn’t he miss her?
I miss you.
That was the single line e-mail that Christian sent her this afternoon. It was rare that he sent e-mail, knowing that he’s not the literary type at all. He’d call instead of SMS, he’d Skype instead of e-mail, that kind of thing. He preferred oral or direct communications as he’s very bad at writing.
So writing this e-mail would have required a lot of effort for him.
She smiled.
And after the coffee, she started to type furiously on her computer, replying his e-mail.
I miss you too.
***
Sybille was walking down the lecture hall together with the rest of the Principles of Economics students when she spotted a figure that instantly made her heart fluttered. “Max …”
Max looked up from his book, and he smiled his brightest smile. “Hey! You just finished a lecture?”
Why is Max here in the Social Sciences building? She’s couldn’t stop but wonder. Is what I’m guessing right? Is he … is he looking for me?
“What ‘hey’?” she pouted. “You didn’t contact me for weeks!”
“You didn’t contact me, either.” He replied, in a rather sad tone.
Thump! I didn’t realize … Sybille felt her cheeks reddened. I didn’t realize he’s also waiting for my call…she felt a little guilty. But what the heck? Why am I the one who has to call?
“Anyway,” Max packed his book back into his backpack and helped carrying Sybille’s thick textbooks. “Let’s have coffee together to celebrate the reunion.” He winked.
Don’t Sybille. You’ve made up your mind to stick to Christian. You can’t buckle now; you have to resist his temptation.
She sighed, and then looked up to him. “You’re paying?”
That day Sybille returned to her room at 11pm. Cora was already in her pajamas, doing some homework armed with a big mug of chamomile tea by her side. She looked up at Sybille rather curiously. “You came back unreasonably late for someone who doesn’t have any clubs or committees.” She commented. Sybille ignored the suspicions between the lines. “Was at the study room.” She replied shortly, then picked her toiletries and proceeded to bathroom.
The truth was, after the coffee, she followed Max to the study room, the place where all university students have 24 hours access, and they studied there together until late. Well, it’s more like Max was studying and she accompanied him. She couldn’t really concentrate with him being so near. Although they didn’t talk much, she was really happy to be with him for such a long time. Max was fully concentrating on his books, and she was on him. The way he read, drank coffee, sighed, the way he held his pen and wrote notes, every little detail about him hypnotized her and made her gaze fixed on him the entire time.
They had dinner break together before going back studying again until almost 11pm. Then Max walked her to her hall before going home himself.
“Today was such a good day. Thank you.” He smiled.
And Sybille was charmed.
She hesitated, but when Max started to walk away, she decided to call him. “Max!”
He turned back. “Yup?”
“…Let’s do it again?” asked her nervously. She’s worried about his response, but somehow there’s a confidence coming from somewhere.
And true, Max smiled so sweetly as a response. He went closer to her and patted her head. “Sure, anytime you want, young lady.”
After the bath Sybille checked her computer for a while. She saw a few missed calls from Christian. Crap, she’d forgotten that their promised Skype date was today. Oh well, I don’t care, she decided, then switched her computer off and went to bed.
Next to her, Cora was watching suspiciously.
***
Recently Sybille had been having a good mood. Her studying spirits improved dramatically well, she didn’t skip a single class, and she didn’t hole up in her bedroom all day when she didn’t have anything else to do. Instead, she’d be out there, in the study room or cafés, full of vitality and happiness.
Max was by her side, studying together almost every day after classes. They had been amazingly close. He seemed settled by the fact that she would be his studying companion until exams, a fact that made her full of joy. She had forgotten about Christian altogether. Her head was full of one and only person, that handsome, charming guy who’d recently spent almost all his time together with her. They were de facto a couple already, she thought. It was just a matter of time until he asked her out officially.
Of course this new habit had not escaped Cora’s attention. Sybille was very careful not to mention who her studying companion was, or why she never seemed to have time to eat together with Cora anymore nowadays. She wanted to be alone for better concentration, she had reasoned. Although she didn’t think Cora fully believed her, at least she didn’t ask further question.
“Christian Skyped me again,” Cora looked at her suspiciously as Sybille opened the room door after another all day studying session with Max at study room. “You’ve broken the promised dates for so many times, and ignored him for a few weeks already. He’s extremely worried. He thought you were sick or something.” Her gaze to Sybille was more accusative than the tone that she used.
But Sybille didn’t care about Christian since a long time ago. In fact, she started to feel bothered by him. “Tell him I’m studying.”
“Are you a moron? Of course I’m not gonna lie for your sake.” Cora retorted.
This made Sybille throw an angry look at her. “What do you mean? Of course I’m really studying.”
“I’m starting to doubt that. You’ve never been so serious about studies before. And since when you picked that habit of going to study room to study. Something is definitely going on.” Cora’s accusative tone was getting stronger.
Sybille lost her temper. “What, am I not allowed to pick new habit? Who are you? My creator?”
“If you are really clean, you should be able to at least e-mail Christian to tell him that you’re busy, instead of ignoring him altogether all this time. It’s like, you’re afraid to face him.”
It’s true. She’s afraid to face him, because she’d been cheating on him all the time he was waiting for her on the other side of the globe. What should she do? She was kind of hoping Christian would finally forget about her if she ignored him long enough, so she didn’t need to admit that she’d fallen for someone else.
Cora inched closer and looked straight into her eyes. “Did you cheat on him?”
That was the final straw. Sybille turned around, trying to hide her embarrassed look from her. She distracted herself by gathering up her toiletries for the bath.
But Cora couldn’t be fooled anymore. She shook her head, with disgusted look on her face. “I don’t fucking believe it.” Her tone was thick with disappointment. “Why did you do it, Sybille? Where’s your self-respect?”
“Stop judging me like you’re so holy!” retorted Sybille, still trying to put up some defense.
“I don’t care whom you fell for, but at least be woman and make up your mind on one guy!” Cora shouted. “Keeping a guy hanging while falling for another guy … what are you, 12 years old?”
That’s it. Sybille had enough. She dropped her toiletries and proceeded straight to her computer. Her e-mail for Christian was short and clear.
I’m sorry, I met someone else. Let’s break up.
Cora stood there, speechless.
***