Array
(
[text] =>
*Two weeks later*
~NEAL~
The second I left Bruce’s room I knew I made a mistake. I cursed myself for not having the balls to ask for his number. Just as I was exiting the hospital I stopped myself and ran back to Bruce’s room. As I walked back in the room, he winked at me and let out a smile with those perfect teeth. I nervously asked him ” H-hey do you think I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want but l-like could you?”
He interrupted me and said “Yes, I’ll give you my number Neal.” I let out a sigh of relief and he chuckled as he gave me his digits. As I was leaving he grabbed my hand, pulled me in, and gave me a kiss on the cheek saying “Don’t forget to call.”
I woke up breathing heavily and covered in a pool of sweat from yet another dream about Dr. Banner. “God, why can’t I just forget about him!” I yelled frustrated and drenched. I picked my phone up and saw it was already 6:40. I jumped out of bed startled and worried that I’d be late for my class at 7:00. It’s a 15 minute walk to school but I could get there in 9 minutes if I ran. I quickly turned on the shower, and jumped in.
I flinched a little from the freezing water. After about 5 minutes I ran out of the shower almost falling down. I quickly threw a black long sleeve tee, a scarf, and some jeans over myself. I quickly grabbed a bagel and held it in my mouth as I put my socks and shoes on. When I ran out the door I almost forgot to lock it. I could feel the cold morning air hit my lungs as I ran to my physics class, hoping I wouldn’t be late.
As I ran to class I found myself wondering why Bruce was still on my mind. Over the past couple of weeks I was left with many unanswered questions. Like why was he half unconscious bleeding out in an alleyway? Was he going to stay here in Oxford? Or why was he at Oxford in the first place? For all I know he could be on the other side of the world conducting research.
I thought that maybe since I wasn’t brave enough to ask for his number, I would eventually just forget about him. His unattainability actually made him more desirable to me. As I ran inside the classroom I got a few stares with my wet curls blocking my face and a half eaten bagel sticking out of my mouth. Nonetheless I made it on time, with a minute to spare.
Class was a blur as usual since my mind wasn’t focused on protein crystallization, but on Bruce Banner’s green/brownish eyes. I tried to focus on my notes but Bruce always seemed to creep back into my brain. I let out a heavy sigh of frustration, wishing he would just escape my thoughts somehow so I could focus. I directed my attention back and forth from the lecture to Bruce Banner. After I finally forced my brain to focus solely on my studies, the teacher, of course, was interrupted by the Dean who decided to talk to her in the hallway.
Dean Griffin was known for almost never leaving her office, so this must’ve been a big deal. My classmates eyes, including my own filled with curiosity. After a few minutes, quiet side chatter ensued that was soon extinguished when the teacher walked back in the classroom. As he walked back in, the teachers’ brows were furrowed and after a long silence he said “class, you are dismissed.” Leaving us in total and utter suspense as we packed our bags and walked out.
I was one of the last students out of the class, and Mr. Hart didn’t look too happy about waiting for me. As he tapped his feet and folded his arms, an inpatient scowl quickly grew on his face and I muttered a sorry as I ran out the door. I must’ve not been looking at where I was going cause the next thing I knew I ran into a tall olive skinned boy. “Watch where you’re going,” he said angrily.
I was generally a passive person, but I was not feeling the greatest today, so I just rolled my eyes and started to get back up. “I’m just messing with you” the wavy haired teen snorted, and helped me up. “I’m Taylor Rodriguez by the way. I’m a second year” he said with a beaming smile as he stuck out his hand.
“Oh” I replied, still a little stunned. “Well I’m Neal Wright I’m a first year.”
Taylor bowed comically and said “It’s an honor Neal” I felt a smile tug from my lips and I rolled my eyes.
After a bit of silence I asked “So are you a science major?”
Taylor said “Ya! You too?!”
“Yep” I replied “So what field are you thinking of going into?”
He frowned and shrugged saying “I have no idea but I guess I’ll figure it out when the time comes.”
After another bout of silence I said “Well I gotta go but it was really nice meeting you Taylor”
“Ya you too Nelson!” Taylor replied.
“It’s actually Neal.” I said laughing.
“Sorry, I’m really bad at names”
“It’s all good Tim” I replied jokingly and waved goodbye. Two days later I had my Biochemistry class at 4:00 and made sure I wasn’t late, because Mrs. Reding’s had a “thing” for punctuality. After scolding us about thorough lab reports she stopped herself mid-sentence almost nervously and told us to stop what we were doing.
She said for us to follow her to the school’s main lecture hall. After we quickly scurried behind her one brave student asked why we were following her. “The Dean has a special announcement for all the first and second year science majors which includes this class.” she said, as if it were obvious.
As we gathered ourselves inside the lecture hall, there were already about 600 first and second years in the massive room, no doubt discussing why we were all gathered here. As I walked in I spotted Taylor waving hi to me with a giant smile beaming on his face. He then motioned me to sit next to him. As I took my seat next to Taylor we discussed theories about what might be happening in anticipation. Soon my curiosity for the announcement turned into boredom after about 20 minutes. “Jesus, hurry up!” I exclaimed.
“Patience isn’t really your strong suit, is it?” he said, raising his eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Before Taylor could answer Dean Griffin stepped onto the podium and the room fell with silence.
After taking a while to gather her thoughts she said into the mic, “In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity. This is one of my favorite quotes said by Albert Einstein. I think this quote is a great reflection of how we operate here at Oxford. Being a student here is one giant challenge, although what awaits you just around the corner is opportunity. The opportunity some of you will be provided is much rarer than most we provide here at Oxford, so do not squander it.” She said, giving every word meaning behind it.
She continued saying “I just got off the phone with Dr. Banner yesterday.” My heart raced just from hearing his name. My eyes lit up with surprise, excitement, and confusion all at the same time. “Seeing as you are all Science majors studying here at Oxford College you should be more than familiar with Dr. Banner’s work.” She chuckled.
I suddenly sat up in my seat fully emerged in what she was saying to us now. “He told me that he’s here in Oxford building an official lab for him to work in and obviously knowing Oxford’s reputation he wanted to give some of you guys the opportunity to work with him.” The room erupted in cheering noises.
“Now before you get too excited this opportunity is not for all of you.” She said cautiously. “Banner Labs will not be operational for another few years, but he wanted to offer the class of 2023 and 2024 a job opportunity for a paid internship with Dr. Banner when you all graduate. Alike Oxford, Mr. Banner’s reputation is sacred and highly impressive and he will no doubt want the best and brightest working for him.
That is why Mr. Banner and I have decided to let the top 5 students from each graduating class who are in the science department have the opportunity to intern at Banner Labs. We will be following how you do here academically and the teachers will also let me know which students show the most promise in their class. That will determine the students who get to work at Banner Labs.”
After a few more words from Dean Griffin she motioned for us to all leave. As we got up to leave Taylor said “Wow,” almost looking as surprised as I was. “Are you ready to beat out 295 insanely smart Oxford science majors?” he chuckled. With a hopeful smirk I replied “More than you know.”
Hey guys hope you like the 2nd chapter! I’m thinking about posting a new chapter twice a week but I’m still working on a schedule. Also the picture is Neal’s Apartment.
[text_hash] => 894f35ca
)