Chasing Peace

Chasing Peace Read Free

Book: Chasing Peace Read Free
Author: Gloria Foxx
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in the fringes,
escaping occasionally as she yearns for honest attention.
    Her vulnerability called out to me. I chuckled at her
actions, playing along and pretending amusement, but all the while thinking
about Annie as a poor little rich girl. Damn! Now I’m describing people in clichés.
What does that say about me?
    “So let me see your schedule. Maybe we have some classes
together,” I suggest moving away from a subject that might prove alienating. I
didn’t know it then, but Annie put the first chink in my resolve, a chink that
would open me up for more and I have no idea how she did it.
    Expecting premed and biology students to share science
classes, I pull my crumpled schedule from my pocket. Annie pulls hers up on a
shiny new phone.
    Turns out we have Philosophy together with Campbell, not at
all what I expected.
    “So premed includes a little philosophy.” I raise my eyebrow
making the statement a question.
    “I think doctors need to be well rounded before they get to
the medical stuff. A science geek just doesn’t cut it when you have to tell
someone they’re dying of cancer or explain their child’s injuries.”
    The bottom drops out of my stomach and I’m falling through
space and time, unable to focus on her words.
    She didn’t notice right away, rattling on. “They should have
a lot of experience…” I don’t hear her anymore over the roar in my ears. “Hey,
Sterling, are you okay?”
    I collect myself and come back at her coaxing. “I’m fine. You’ve
really thought this through, huh?” I haven’t given my career choice nearly as
much thought.
    Annie continued, but bad listener that I really am, I
listened with only one ear as I looked around the bus, wondering if I would
ever see any of these students again or if, like Annie and I, we’d share some
classes.
    Looking over my shoulder, I spot the girl Annie chose to
avoid. She glared at me with mean intent. I’m usually pretty good at reading
people, but I didn’t need to be in this case. Even the most clueless among us
could read the anger in her eyes.
    She dressed well, but with clothing from mall stores, not
exclusive boutiques. Her shoes are fashionable flats, but nothing special. Her
hair looked good; maybe her best asset, but the ugly expression she wore
overshadowed everything else. She might have been pretty if she weren’t so
irate.
    Annie paused and I jumped in. “If I turn up dead, point the
cops in her direction. I don’t think she likes me much.”
    Annie turned around to see a friendly winsome countenance. “Oh
Julie, yeah, she wanted to sit by me, but I couldn’t take another minute. I’m
looking for friends, not sycophants.”
    “Dressing down a little bit might not attract so much
attention.” Yeah, I said it, but I’m not sure it will do much good. It looks
like privilege is in Annie’s genes and clothing probably won’t make much
difference to the observant among us. “Most of us don’t look past clothing to
see the person beneath.”
    “See,” said Annie with a big cheesy grin, “I knew you were
someone different, someone genuine. So, are you going to the freshman barbecue
tomorrow?”
    “Nah. I think it’s pretty lame. We’ll meet people in class,
study groups, ya know. That’s enough for me.”
    “We’ll also meet people in the dorms. Where’s your room?”
Hope shimmered in Annie’s eyes as she asked the question, making her loneliness
even more obvious.
    The thought that I would let her down churned in my gut, but
I couldn’t avoid the question. “I live off campus. I can’t imagine that I’ll be
hanging out in the dorms.”
    “What!” she screeched. “I thought all freshmen had to live
on campus!” Incensed by the injustice, Annie’s irritation came through loud and
clear.
    “Not if they’re older students or still living with their
parents.”
    “So you’re living with your parents?” She looked perplexed
as she asked.
    “I’m not. I’m twenty-one so I pushed to remain off

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