Alex made his way down the University corridor in his usual inconspicuous manner arriving at a door marked Laboratory 106. He opened the door and found a seat on the opposite side of the room two benches behind the first at the front. He prepared for the upcoming lesson taking out the training manual and the work booklet for Chemistry 101. His interest lay in becoming a Physiotherapist and exactly how Maths, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology were necessary to achieve that goal was somewhat mystifying … still, if that what he had to do then so be it! Two minutes later the room was filled and the lecturer a slim bespectacled man with soft brown eyes entered taking his place stilling the wagging tongues with intelligent glances about the room.
Each student had to take a number and find another student with a matching number then sit in the designated seats according to the numbers selected. It was in this manner that Alex was paired with another student as his Lab Partner.
“Hello I’m Scott” he chirped.
“Um … hello … I’m Alex” he finally managed to blurt out before the silence became embarrassing.
Their eyes appraised each other in the hope their partnership in the Lab would not be a disaster.
Alex avoided eye contact as much as possible but could not help noticing the brown hair, brown eyes and tanned skin of his new Lab partner. Why did Scott have to remind him so much of Paul? A less attractive guy or maybe a female would have been easier to work with. As it was Scott would remind him of Paul every time they worked together and for Alex that meant a dull ache in his heart for something that just wasn’t practical and could not be. Still he would make the most of it having already pre- read the first half of the required text already and familiarised himself with the first months practical Lab experiments.
The two young men sat side by side about half way in the room and listened to the gentle tones of the Chemistry Lecturer who detailed the semester’s compulsory Lab work and required assessments.
Physics was later that day at 2:00 pm and once again Alex had to draw a Lab partner who this time turned out to be a studious African American girl who gave her name as Letisha. He felt confident this combination would work well and was intent on making the most of the opportunities.
Later that same day at 4:30 pm Alex entered the Snake Pit to try out for the Rattler’s basketball team. First the head coach Mr Anderson called the 35 hopefuls together explaining how the selection process was to work and also that the top 10 positions had been filled with students on Athletic Scholarships. That left 2 more Athletic Scholarships available to
Freshmen students and a further 4 more training positions. He went straight into coaching mode giving introducing his coaching staff and management team following that with instructions for how the selection process was to work. The 35 would be culled to 18 at the end of the first week and then down to 12 by the end of the second, with the final selections made at the end of the third week.
The training consisted of routine drills but with so many guys trying to gain a position the nerves obviously got to some students. It wasn’t all that easy to concentrate knowing half the group would be cut in just 4 days. Alex tried to focus but now and then someone would do something really athletic to challenge his concentration. He had already worked out how he would deal with the outcome. If he got one of the scholarships then great, it would really help, and he would have enough to live on. If not then he would get a part time job and work his way through to his degree. Right now however it was concentrate, work hard and do what he had to do to maximise his chances.
The first weeks flew by. Lectures were full of promise. He had met up with both Letisha and Scott (who still reminded him of Paul) and was even more impressed by them the second time around and as Lab partners they were as meticulous and careful as he was. The basketball training was intense but satisfying, but, of course the end of the week meant the first cut followed by the second and right now it was time for the third.
On the final training day the hopeful athletes gathered in the Snakepit to hear the news. One by one they were brought into the coaching teams office where the decision was given. The list being alphabetical meant Alex was chronologically midway in the group. When his name was called he walked along the sideline, around the corner and down the corridor to the coaching office. Coach Anderson was across on the other side of a table with assistant coaches either side of him. Alex sat in the chair opposite waiting for the verdict.
Assistant Coach Brown read from his list of attributes and things he thought Alex needed to work on as Alex listened. Then Coach Anderson delivered the final words.
“Congratulations Alex we would like to offer you an Athletic Scholarship.” It took a few moments to sink in as Alex sat stunned in total disbelief, then finally grinned and shook the hands offered from across the table.