Mandy texted her Dad as she headed out the door – she wasn’t sure where he was, but knew he would check the message. It simply read “Heading out to check out campus and other parts of town while you get stuff taken care of here. Text me if you need anything while I’m out. Love you, ttyl.” She slipped her phone into her purse and caught an Uber to take her to the campus.
She’d registered ahead of time, and though she had only just moved to town to be able to take her classes in person, the work she had missed wasn’t much – she’d checked with her professors and had done some work online to make up for her absence. She was dropped off near the campus food court, and she got out and took a minute to consult the campus map she had on her phone.
She first planned to check out the most efficient route between classes before exploring other parts of the campus, and then maybe head to the nearby park. Maybe get her books and some supplies while there – and anything else her Dad might want her to pick up while she was out. She made a mental note to see if there was a Krispy Kreme in town so she knew whether or not she could still use that as a means to spoil her Dad or bribe him to her way of thinking.
She was stopping for lunch at the food court when she nearly knocked into someone as she turned around with her food tray, almost spilling soda all over the other girl.
“Sorry, sorry!” she said.
“No, no. It’s not your fault.” she said, with a slight hint of accent that Mandy couldn’t place. “I was too busy looking at my phone. Let me help you with your things as an apology.”
Mandy tried to protest, but the other girl waves it off, taking the tray of food from Mandy, leaving her to shoulder the backpack she’d brought with incase she bought books for her classes – which she had.
“Is here good?” the other girl said, indicating an empty table.
“Yes, here is fine. Thank you so much..umm…I didn’t catch your name?”
“Illyana. Illyana Vasilyev. And you?”
“Mandy. Mandy Winchester.” the girls both shook hands.
“New to campus?” Illyana asked.
“Yes – I’m late starting classes, so I’m trying to get everything together.”
“It can be overwhelming. I’ve got an art degree already, but I’m taking some classes here to help bolster that…make my art more understanding, and my portrayal of people for my little comics more believable.”
“Does that mean you’re taking Drama classes?”
“It does. How did you guess?”
“It just seemed a likely guess. I’m studying Drama myself, and minoring in Music.”
Illyana laughed. “Well the we might have a class or two together. How fortuitous.”
Mandy munched on her fries first – it was a habit with her, and one she wasn’t likely to break out of anytime soon.
“Are you in a dorm?”
“No. My Dad and I just moved out here. He and I made a compromise that if I stayed at home, he’d scout colleges and universities with me and pay my way.”
“Nice deal. I live with my brother and his friend. You should meet them sometime.” she paused. “Well, maybe. If you’re looking for a date sometime though, both are single.” she winked, and this time Mandy laughed.
“Anyone I date has to pass Dad’s scrutiny. I love him, but he’s rather overprotective.”
“I like you, Mandy. I think we’ll make good friends.”
“Do you know anyone else around here?”
She ticked off a list with her fingers. “My brother, Timur; his best friend, Sergei, and the people they were staying with until they got their own place; Trish and her boyfriend Chance. I can’t say that I know anyone else, really.”
“Sorry to hear that. Well, now you know me, and maybe you can introduce me to them sometime.”
“Sure. I can arrange something.” she glances at her phone as it buzzed. “Oops…sorry. I have to run to class. Get your number first?”
“Sure.” Mandy quickly scribbled down her number, while Illyana did likewise.
“See you around, Mandy.”
“You too, Illyana.”
Mandy watched her leave as she finished her lunch, then got up and threw away the trash and returned the tray. Shouldering her heavy backpack, she made her way to the park, deciding to spend some time there before calling in to check on her Dad.