Chapter 63 - Lonely Anubis I arrived at my house at 8:07 A.M. on Sunday morning with one suitcase packed with test tubes and comic books--oh, and a few extra shirts and ties. Naturally, I was incredibly excited for my University experience. Classes, teachers, students sharing my interests and intelligence--what is not to love?
Naturally, my first outing was a trip to Keith's Comics. Five vintage comics I had not previously purchased were available for just 600 simoleons each! I know it is a rather frivolous pursuit, but comic books are the one silly luxury I allow myself.
My next visit was to the Student Union. An alarming number of male students appeared interested in socializing with me, but I prefer to not concentrate on romance while on this academic adventure, and so made a hasty escape.
I did meet a nerdy male fairy at the gym, Richard Randall, and he also invited me out to lunch. When I declined, Richard offered to show me around campus, but I plead disinterest and quickly changed the subject.
It turns out that his mother had just died before he enrolled, and I did my best to comfort him. Of course a paparazzi was standing nearby and took several photographs that showed up in the newspaper the following day, with a headline of
The Youngest Elysi Finds Love at University. This made things very awkward between Richard and I, especially since he later asked if I could be his girlfriend, and . . . no.
Truth be told? I really, really am not interested in dating right now. All I want are a few good friends who share my interests! Besides Richard and my professor, I did make one very good friend online. His (or her?) username is LonelyAnubis426, and he has great interest in Egyptian history. We met on the online chess circuit, and have private chats during our games.
NerdyGirl301: Wow, you're from Starlight Shores? My family is originally from there! My great-great-great-grandmother's uncle still lives there, actually. Don't ask how he's still alive, it's a temporal paradox if we talk about it.
LonelyAnubis426: Yes, but it isn't as nice as the tabloids say. Everyone either wants to be a pop star or bartender, and there's always a movie crew at the beach, so no swimming. I'm planning on going to Appaloosa Plains after graduation, since the houses are pretty cheap and I can get a job there. I'm not sure of what exactly I want to do yet, but at least there's opportunity.
NerdyGirl301: I live in Sunset Valley, but I'm planning on attempting to open a space and time portal so I can visit Lunar Lakes someday. Have you ever heard of Rosetta Classic? With her help, I might be able to visit her and Eureka Classic in Moonlight Falls, even if traveling between universes is proven to be impossible.
LonelyAnubis426: How cool! Since we're just townies I don't have access to the forum, but some NPC friends of mine gave me the link. If I can just be a young adult male for a second--I would love to go out with Mona Lisa Classic, but my friend says that the newest Elysi girl is seriously hot, so I need to read fast and get to her section!
NerdyGirl301 has signed out of this chat. You are now in an empty chat. Classes, of course, are amazing. The material is so interesting, and no slacking is permitted. The girl next to me is allowed to sleep during lecture, but only because the professor is her uncle.
The only bad thing about my academic life is the students. Male students, to be exact. All the googly eyes and love notes and winking--perhaps I am the only well-dressed, smart girl on campus, but I do not require or request all of these romantic overtures!
Even my professor is joining the masses, but he's smart enough to figure out that I'm truly not interested. As retribution, he set me up tutoring this uber-jock, Mario Texas. He's the party, athlete, flirty frat boy on campus, and I don't want to spend every Wednesday tutoring him instead of engaging in academic pursuits! This is why I can never be a teacher like Rosetta Classic--she has the patience to educate the masses, while I have no interest in interacting with them.
The tutoring session was scheduled for 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, so I had to miss my Advanced Quantum Physics lecture. After getting a muffin from the Grotto, I walked over to the Quad to meet Mario Texas for the first time and teach him the basics of calculus.
"
So . . . what area do you want to go into after leaving University? I need to know what you need to know, so we can get this over with as quickly as possible."
He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, then finally said, "
I'm not sure of what I want to do, yet, but there are plenty of opportunities for college graduates."
Something in his words seemed to ring a bell in the back of my mind . . . "
Wait . . . LonelyAnubis426?"
Mario blinked in surprise. "
NerdyGirl301?"
"
Oh! It's--it's great to meet you!" I tried to disguise my disappointment at discovering that my online best friend was nothing more than the flirtiest fraternity guy on campus. "
To tell you the truth, I really didn't expect Lonely Anubis to look like . . . you."
"
I'm kind of a closet nerd. And I definitely wasn't expecting Nerdy Girl to look anything like you! Not that I expected anything, or--you're very pretty, it's just that--do you want to go to lunch?"
We walked across the quad to Simburger, and the evening began in awkward silence as Mario stayed on the lookout for any of his friends, not wanting to be seen with nerds, and I lived in constant fear of having my reputation ruined by hanging with a popular. But as the night wore on, the ice thawed and finally broke altogether as we laughed over fries and debated the 10th vs. 11th Doctors while flinging napkins at nearby tables.
After lunch, when the sun had already set, Mario asked me down to the fountain pond behind the library. Along the way, I snuck a few looks at his features--symmetrical and not abnormal. He was cordial and interesting, and I could see myself spending time with him without becoming bored. Just about the perfect choice.
"
Mario, would you like to move in with my family and potentially impregnate me for the progression of our immortal dynasty? You would receive room and board, full access to our funds, and we won't have any sort of romantic relationship. So, what do you--"
"
What? I thought we did have a romantic relationship! Or the beginning of one, at least. Look, Iris Bianca, I have to go."
"
Fine! It's not like I need you for anything! Just go back to your own useless life!" I shouted after Mario as he ran off. Who needs him? I can find someone else to artificially impregnate me with the next heir--someone a thousand times better.
For the first time since the afternoon, I checked my wish panel.
Join Medical Career. Of course.
Ask Mario to Watch the Stars. That doesn't mean anything, I love astronomy.
Slow Dance with Mario. Ah . . .
Kiss Mario for the First Time. Okay, I screwed up.