Chapter 11 Paired with Allan
Chapter 11: Paired with Allan
"No that's not what I mean? Like who really are you? Did my brother hire you to be friends with me?" Golden asked trying to figure Alex out.
"Umm, first of all, that's a strange thing to say. Why would your brother hire me to be friends with you?
Until Friday night, I was in Bejing. I landed in Florida on Saturday afternoon. And apart from all the lecturers that I have been communicating with over the last one month, you are the only other person I know.
Although I was born in Houston Texas and spent my early years there, I moved back with my dad to Bejing when I turned six after losing my mum and baby brother.
I have been in Bejing ever since and the only reason I transferred here is because my father got an offer in a research institute here in Florida.
He's the only family I've got so I packed up my life and hopped on a plane the second everything was put in place.
So you see Golden, I don't know who your brother is. If I may ask, why would you think your brother would pay me to become friends with you?"
"Well for starters, you are really beautiful and you came to sit at my table. Then you practically embarrassed the queen bee of med school and her croonies.
And finally, you didn't mind that I had drank from your bottle and said you would still drink from it after I offered to buy you another one." Golden counted off her fingers.
"Thank you for the compliment. I hate bullies and do you have any communicable disease I should be aware of?" Alex asked.
"Of course not." Golden replied quickly.
"Then it's settled. Can I have some of your Greek yogurt? I am suddenly craving some."
"Sure you can have it. I'm full anyways. I will trade you my yogurt for your water. I didn't remember to pick up any water when I was getting my meal." Golden said pushing her tray away.
"Okay! This seems like a fair deal, plus I have an extra bottle of water in my handbag." Alex said as she grabbed the yogurt and began to eat it.
Everyone dragged their feet back to the class for the last lesson for the day.
Entering the lecture hall, Alex decided to sit beside Golden. They had had an enjoyable lunch and they seemed to vibe very well.
Professor Dwayne the Toxicology lecturer gave his lecture and at the end of the class, started calling out the pairs for the presentation.
Golden was not paying attention because every time there was a pairing, she was always the odd man so she was expecting same.
But then, Professor Dwayne called Allan Renshaw and Golden Nixon, you two are paired for this assignment.
There was a collective gasp and then everyone bursted out in an uncontrollable laughter.
"Silence in this auditorium. Would anyone care to share the joke because I seem to be lost." Prof said.
"Alex, you are new so you can either join any group you want or you can do a solo project." Prof said.
"Sir if it's okay, then I would love to join Golden's group." Alex said.
"Well Golden, Allan, what do you guys think? Do you have space in your group for one more?" Professor Dwayne asked, giving them the opportunity to decide.
"I wouldn't mind having Alex in my group Professor." Golden said, while turning to Allan.
"Whatever." Allan said in his usual fashion.
"Then it's settled. To ensure that proper research is carried out, I will extend the time. Paper presentation will be done in three weeks. Do well to check on the noticeboard for your pairing and your topic."
Professor Dwayne left the auditorium and the class immediately turned into a circus.
"Well! Well! Well! If it isn't the queen of Tiktalk live, our one and only fatty Nixon.
It must really be nice to be finally paired with someone for a change." Linda said mockingly.
"And what are the odds, she was actually paired with Prince Charming who stood her up the last time. Who's to say that he wouldn't just let her and Chinese Barbie do all the work. I heard that Asians actually do a lot of plastic surgeries to look beautiful." She said trying to jab Alex.
"Oh honey, I am all natural, but I can tell that you have done a couple of things to your face. Your nose is a bit crooked, I see you've also done an eyebrow lifting, and I think you are due for another lip filler." Alex said as she stood up from her seat turned to Golden and asked her if she was ready to go.
Golden quickly packed up her bag and followed Alex out of the auditorium.
"How did you know that Linda has had work done on her face?" Golden asked Alex as they walked towards the pavilion. "I have always thought she was all natural. Who would have guessed that she has done some touch up?"
"Well she was partly right about something. Cosmetic surgery is popular amongst Asians and some people will pay a lot just to look perfect, but there is no perfect human.
Right from my senior high school, a lot of girls and even some boys did a little touch up here and there.
It is a common practice mostly in aristocratic schools as they were the ones who could afford those procedures.
So it's easy for me to notice when someone has done any kind of procedure because I've seen all sort.
At lunch today, I noticed her face was plastic. I wouldn't have said anything if she didn't say anything.
I've had my own share of bullies in this life and I am not about to take on another one." Alex said as she looked at her phone that just vibrated.
She received a message from her dad informing her that he wouldn't be able to come pick her up like they had agreed.
He asked her to either join the bus home or come to the institute which was about 45 minutes away from the university.
"Is there a problem, Alex?" Golden asked as she noticed Alex's countenance change after reading a text on her phone.
"My dad wouldn't be able to pick me up because he's held up at work. So I have two options, either I go home by myself, or go to the institute and wait for him to finish and then we go home together. And honestly I'm not thrilled about either of my options."
"I know we just met but if you don't mind, we could hangout at the mall for a while and then maybe go to my house and chill. Your dad can come and get you from my house anytime he's done, or I can ask my driver to drop you off at home if he can't come." Golden asked, hoping she didn't sound like a creep.