Morning on the Quad

The professor wrapped up with the last slide on the power point. As he made announcements about upcoming assignments, I hear the ruffling of papers, the zipping of backpacks, and the squeaks of chairs. I check my watch. It is 11:00 am…it’s the weekend. I follow the crowd of people out the classroom door, up the stairs, and finally, out of Moody Hall into the cool brisk air of the early fall day.

The flood of people exhilarates me. I love to watch them as I make my way out onto the Quad. A girl with a smiling face walks down the pathway toward me blowing bubbles. The little spheres of crystal touch my clothes and pop, bringing a soapy smell to my nose. I plop myself down on the steps of Wilson, pondering what I am going to write for my next blog assignment.

But I get distracted watching people…wondering what they are thinking; wondering what their life is like. I see a girl running. Long thin legs are carrying her swiftly across the pathways taking her past building after building. I see a group of people talking to an older man. I’m trying to figure out what the man is doing talking to this group of young kids, so I put a keen ear to that conversation while I think to myself “I can see that girl’s butt crack, I wonder if she knows...” By the way, I hear the older man say “God” many times. Now I’m extra curious to hear the rest.

The girl sitting closest to me is wearing tight little jeans, with a colorful scarf wrapped around her neck. She is smoking, and as I involuntarily breathe in the choking flames, dramatic me wonders if I am dying a little more inside. On my other side is the green plush grass of the Quad lawn. It looks so inviting, I would love to lie on it and take a nap. A few people have already beaten me to it. One boy is lying on his stomach, completely sprawled, and completely unconscious.

I notice the girl’s bottom is still hanging out of her pants…

I see my best friend walking briskly across the Quad for class. She is wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and literally looks like she just rolled out of bed. I call her over with a loud “JANE!!” which of course, makes everyone look. She quickly hurries over, tells me how stressed she is and how late for class she is. I tell her to have a great day and she leaves.

I take a deep breath, stretch; check up on my little preacher, his audience seems slightly more enthused. I wonder if they at all care about what he is saying.

I just got really excited because I turned around and saw a tour of prospective students. I love to see all the eager faces, and standoffish attitudes towards their parents. I think about how glad I am to never have to return to high school. And how much I miss my parents…

The preacher is now sitting down with this group of kids…too cozy? Maybe.

Pause. I have just seen my friend Abby running down the quad…scarf flying behind her, books looking like they are about to fall at any moment…I laugh to myself, she has not seen me yet. I call her name, and a huge smile spreads across her face. She runs over and all in one breath says, “HI!! I was just running to catch up with my GCOM group!! Wow, it’s so great to see you! Wanna swim later? Or maybe not swim…eat junk food later? Look! My GCOM group is studying right behind you! Ok, gotta go! But don’t worry, I’ll be right here!” I laugh, tell her good luck, and resume my blog. Yes, I have decided that my observations today on the quad will be my blog entry.

It is now 11:50. I still see a butt crack in my direct line of view. How pleasant. I have listened further to the preacher. He just talked about the whole gospel message. The audience is more actively engaged. Granted, it’s only a group of five kids.

Hunger pangs are starting, but I have to wait until 12:05 to have lunch with my friend Taylor. We are going to Mrs. Green’s, which will most likely be the highlight of my day. Class is letting out again…at least for the lucky ones who get out ten minutes early. I see “hippie boy” or so he is known. He is walking around without shoes on, with his khakis rolled up mid-calf. He genially greets passersby with “Hi friends!” I smile.

Abby comes to sit beside me. She tells me she lied to her GCOM group, telling them that she was late because her sister’s cat ran away and they had to find it. She says she feels bad for lying, and then we make a pact never to lie to each other.

Finally I see Taylor emerge from Harrison. Woo! Now, I get to eat. I say bye to Abby, and set off with Taylor. It’s been a great morning on the Quad; made even greater by all the people. I should come out here more often.