All These Lives - Chapter Three - last leaves of Autumn

All these Lives1

Chapter Three2

~Last leaves of Autumn~3

One4

It was Autumn when My father enrolled me into the senior mid-year courses at University In Australia, the same he had attended when he was my age.5

It had helped that most of the the teacher on campus were well aware that I was my Fathers son, and he had been well known and liked by most of them.6

Sometimes it was hard, trying to live up to not only his expectations but to their's as well. Knowing exactly what my Father had been like, and somewhat running in his footsteps to get the best possible education that Money had to offer.7

Though I did not have to worry as much as I thought I would.8

I was an average grade student, well mannered and polite. I was always up for a challenge and never was one to turn down an offer for anything that could do me well for the future.9

Like my Father I was apart of many groups, educational and physical.10

They took a lot of my time, it was a lot of hard work and I sometimes wondered exactly how my father handled it all, and still managed to pass through school with flying colors. 11

I guess that it had Been his dedication and his drive to be business man, that made him drive himself so hard to achieve his goals, and for this I was always proud of my Father. I admired him in so many ways, I wanted to prove to him I could do the same.12

It was May the fourth when I first step foot in those University doors.13

My heart felt like it was about to explode in my chest, I was so worried that Murphy's law would set in and that everything that could go wrong, would go wrong, that I would not be able to handle anything the day threw at me.14

Though as the day progressed, I learned to relax, taking deep breaths as I worked through all of the things that were required of me, until my day was almost complete. This only left one more thing to do, which we were asked to wait until the day had ended, and that was to sign into our dorm rooms.15

While some of the student went back to there own homes, or boarding apartments, it had been my Father's wish for me to live on campus, to be provided with help and support if I needed and never to have to worry about rent or food. 16

My father was a man of his word, and when he said he was going to offer me the best in life. He kept his word.17

I walked up the stairways, winding through the building, twisting and turning as I counted my way up to the second highest floor.18

Room 150, a simple straight forward number, the best rooms being at the top, with the best views of the campus.19

Had my Father had it his way I would have been put into a room of my own, but I requested I have a room mate. I always wanted one as a child, and as a teenager as well. My dream of entering university with someone just like me, someone who knew what it was like to be smart, someone I could call my friend.20

I had got my wish and for that I was grateful. More so I was grateful that my Father had respected my wishes,for it was a lot more than I could say for my Mother.21

My Mother had wanted me to run in the footsteps of her Father, to become a lawyer, to become a smart business man, a man amongst so many. 22

I did not want that life, I thought it to be as boring as bat shit, and I had told her as honestly as I could that it was not me and never would be me, for I was a athlete, I was an artist. I did not want to be in a Nine to Five job, or a Twenty-four seven one at that.23

In the end it was my Father who had made my Mother see sense. Who had persuaded her to realize that I was my own person, and that there was only so far they could take me before I had to live life for myself, for me and who I wanted to be.24

I placed my bags down on the floor, fumbling around in my pocket for my keys. When I found them, I took a deep breath, letting all my nerves free from within and slid the key in the key hole. Opening the door.25

The light shone dimly in the room, even though it was well past six the sun still shone brightly through the open window. 26

Over to my right a boy lay on his bed, His clothes scattered everywhere, his books all over the desk He watched as I entered the room and immediately sat up in attention. His wide mouth smile, made me feel welcome and I immediately warmed to him.27

He reached out his hand, as I threw my baggage onto my bed, and turned around to face him.28

Politely I shook it, not being able to take my eyes of his dazzling smile, he made me feel all warm inside, like even after a long day, he could handle anything.29

“Hi I'm Adam, Adam hunter, I will be your dorm mate for the rest of this year.”30

Smiling brightly, I took his hand in mine, shaking it vigorously. 31

“David, David Sim, pleasure to meet you David.”32

He gave me a strange look, before bursting out into a fit of laughter, at first I did not get what was so funny but when I went back over what I had just said it made sense to me why he was laughing, though it made me feel like an idiot.33

“I meant to say, pleasure to meet you Adam.”34

He stopped laughing, his smile remaining but easing with a sense of compassion.35

“Don't sweat it, I have no that so many times people wonder if I have a split personality or something. Either that or I am just mentally incapable of functioning a sentence.”36

I let go of his hand, sitting back on my own bed and opened up my case.37

“So you know anybody around here?” I asked, taking a few of my own books from within my bag. 38

Shaking his head he lay back down on his bed, his hands crossed tightly across his chest, a little bit of skin peaking above the waist line of his shorts.39

Don't look David, you don't want anyone to get any ideas, you definitely do not want to make a bad impression on your first day.40

“I'm not from around here, and even if I was I know I would have quiet a lot of trouble making friends.”41

Honesty, he is blunt, what a great quality in a man.42

“Well I hope that we can become friends, I am not from around here either, I actually live in Sweden with my Mother and Father.”43

With that said, he jolted up into an upright position his hands flying in the air.44

“NO WAY,” he cried, letting his hands fall to his side, “Sweden, you have got to be kidding me, why the hell all the way over here, is there not any University's in Sweden or something.45

Laughing myself, I zipped up my case, the campus map in my hand. I was hungry and I needed something to eat, I wondered whether to ask Adam to join me, and I saw no harm in trying.46

“No, my Dad used to go here when he was my age.”47

“Like Father like son?” he asked, looking at the map.48

Nodding I scanned his eyes, I knew he was thinking about me, I could tell, I had a way with that kind if thing, knowing and being able to read people body language. Sometimes it was marvelous thing.49

“Exactly... hay Adam, I was wondering, I was just about to head down stairs to pick something up at the shop for dinner, do you wanna come with ?”50

Grabbing his coat of the end of the bed, he stood up, still smiling, and headed towards the door.51

I wondered if he ever stop smiling, or if he smiled even when he was sleeping, but it didn't matter now, for I had a new friend.52

Two53

“Where are you taking me?” I asked as Adam led me blindfolded by his hands across the quite down-town street. “I don't think these alley ways are really safe from what my Father told me.”54

Snickering he continued to lead me across the road and onto a path, where he suddenly stopped making me almost trip over my shoes.55

“You can open your eyes if you like now David.”56

His hand felt warm across my face, in the cold chilly nights air, I felt like I did not really want him to take his hands away, but more or less keep them there, for him to keep playing this game.57

As he let his hands fall beside mine, I opened my eyes wide, facing a Blue, neon flashing sign.58

“Adam's Apple,” I read out loud, trying not the laugh.59

Adam who had not seemed to see the humor in my face, grabbed my hand and walked towards the door, dragging me along with him.60

“This is my Fathers Cafe, he said opening the door. 61

An immediate wave of heat washed over me as half a dozen body's huddled up close in a little both beside the door, I looked over near there table, realizing a gas heater burning away.62

“Ah comfort at last, Come on over her David I want you to meet my Dad.”63

Still hanging onto his hand, without that much of a worry, I followed Adam over the the counter where he pulled up a stool and ushered me to sit down beside him.64

A heavy man that stood buttering bread over a counter turned around to face us, his big cheesy grin flashing his yellow teeth.65

“Adam my boy, how are you doing son? how was your first day at Uni then?”66

Adam who looked at ease offered me a menu, and turned to face his Father.67

“It was a little draining at first, but nothing I couldn't handle, anyway Dad I want you to meet my new room mate, David Sim, he comes from Sweden.”68

The man rubbed his greasy hand on the side of his apron before extending it towards me to shake my hand. He had a firm grip, unlike Adam's slightly gentle one, but none the less I could tell he was just about as genuine as Adam was.69

“Hello David, Sweden eh?, What you doing all the way over here in Australia?”70

Before I even had a chance to respond Adam cut in, a little to enthusiastically.71

“His Parents are in Sweden, his Dad used to go to the same University when he was David's age.”72

Nodding, Adam's Father handed us a class each and filled it nearly to the brim with Cola.73

“What does your Father do for a living David?” he asked, cautiously looking at Adam, who's hand was still close to mine.74

“My Father owns his own Advertising company, and several supermarkets.”75

Raising his eye brow Adams father Turned to a woman who just walked in the back door.76

“Hay Sarah can you get these Two Men some grub.”77

The woman nodded, slipping on her apron.78

I took my wallet from out of my jumper pocket, placing it on the bench and opened it up, my plane ticket falling to the floor.79

Adam was only to fast to bend over and pick it up as I dug deep into my wallet to take out any cash I had left over.80

“How much do I owe you .” I asked, only finding a five dollar bill left in my wallet.81

Winking, Adams father tapped his hat, handing Adam and I a plate of chips.82

“Nothing, it free, on the house.”