Chapter 18
Monday marked the beginning of the fall semester, and Samantha felt the drudgery of routine resume almost as soon as she received her schedule. Of all the classes she had registered for, the one that grabbed her interest was Ancient Literature. She would read from the works of Ovid, Virgil, and Dante, to name a few. She especially looked forward to reading 'The Inferno'. Having started the book once before, she had become drawn to the darkness of its content. But for reasons she'd forgotten, Samantha had never finished it. Now, she would have the chance to redeem herself in the eyes of its composer, and appreciate it for its dark beauty. Henry, on the other hand, had changed his opinion of attending school. He simply didn't want to be there, and if he were asked what he'd rather be doing, an answer would not likely be forthcoming. In truth, Henry didn't know what he wanted, and had no idea as to how to construct his future, to invest himself.
The first week of classes went as expected, with a minimum of homework. With both students and faculty having been gone for the summer, everyone felt the need to slowly settle back into the flow of work. There was, however, one exception. Melissa was also beginning her senior year and had unknowingly taken some of same classes as Samantha and Henry. As she walked through the hallways, she was immediately noticed by everyone. Her glowing red hair and shapely curves quickly became the envy of every girl in the senior year, making her an outcast by many. The boys, however, saw her as a goddess, and her southern accent only added to her charm. In class, most boys found themselves distracted by her striking beauty, having become caught up in their developing masculinity. Henry saw many boys his age attempt to engage Melissa in conversation – to make an impression – and as much as he wanted to talk to her, he was unable to find his courage. It wasn't that he had lost his feelings for Samantha, although they had waned significantly as he repeatedly reminded himself that they would never be more than friends, he still felt something for her. Now, he saw Melissa as every other boy in the senior class did, holding her as an object of adolescent fantasy. But at some point, he would break his anxious silence and take the much needed step towards familiarity, possibly a friendship.