I'm Moving On, Darling

By Ciana Chin

Although she is contented with her goal of a perfect GPA, she finds herself wishing for more. She also finds it hard to concentrate on her studies without being cornered by unexpected twists that crop up throughout college. Things become more complicated when her ex-boyfriend decides to make an appearance in her life and her friend turns out to be someone else. Both want something out of her. Before she can make a decision about it, Fate throws one more curve ball at her. She is then forced to decide on what she truly wants in life. Would she choose academics or love? Or would she decide on something drastic?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ciana Chin
• Release date: Nov 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370991976

Ciana Chin

Originally from the 'burbs in Malaysia, I now call Adelaide home after beginning my Bachelor of Laws degree in 2015. Most of my time is spent in legal terrains, such as reading case authorities and the law textbooks from cover to cover. I unwind to my favorite pastimes of writing and reading novels of other genres, particularly romance and history.Oh, did I mention that I love watching legal-related dramas, such as 'NCIS', 'Law and Order: SVU' and 'Castle'?

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I’m Moving On, Darling

By Ciana Chin

Copyright (c) 2017 Ciana Chin

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Chapter One

The commencing students flocked into the meeting room that the college management designated for the orientation day in Taylor's College Subang Jaya. Their eyes shone with enthusiasm and anxiousness as they chose their seats. Located on the fourth floor of the building, it was not a visible room to the passing eye. A whiteboard was mounted on the wall in the windowless area. Someone had drawn flowers with an accompanying welcome message on the whiteboard. In front of the whiteboard were two columns that had a mixture of red, yellow, and blue chairs in five rows. The student volunteers found it hard to keep up and welcome the growing number of people in the room with open arms. The room was brought to life with chatters and laughter that threatened to spill out into the hallway.

One of the student volunteers was Melissa. She watched her peers trying their best to alleviate any nerves that the commencing students felt as she quenched her thirst at a corner of the room where their bags were. At the corner of her eye, she spied the assistant principal, Ms. Natalie, entering the room with one of the senior teachers and immediately returned to her duty. Everyone slowly stopped their conversations and turned to Ms. Natalie when she knocked on the microphone head.

Welcome everyone, she greeted. First of all, thank you to everyone for coming. It's a pleasure and honour to be here for the start of another wonderful academic journey with you. I'm Ms. Natalie, the assistant principal for the program. Mr. Jim usually does the orientation speech, but he's stuck in Quebec due to the snow storm ad unable to be with us today. I'm joined by your equally wonderful teachers, who will now speak a few words about themselves and the subjects that they'll be teaching this semester.

She then passed the microphone to the teacher standing the closest to her.

Once the teachers had the opportunity to introduce themselves, all of the student volunteers gathered at the outdoor parking space. Although it was reserved for college visitors, it doubled up as a provisional basketball court for students of the three different matriculation programs after hours. To the left was the academic office that handled inquiries and college applications from prospective students. Situated in the middle was the building that housed the learning hub on the ground floor and classrooms on the upper floors. To the right was another building that housed the university placement centre and the library above it. This was where Melissa and her fellow volunteers, Beth and Brendan, waited to meet their care, up-close and personal.

Do you honestly think that the newbies will be able to find us? Beth asked.

Yes, they will, Brendan replied. He made sure that their team's placard was high enough for the commencing students to see from the walkway on the fourth floor. He had sent their team leader, Tim, to search for any stragglers who didn't know which team he or she belonged to. As he stood under the burning sun, sweat beads formed at the crown of his head and he wiping it off with a small handkerchief in his free hand. Bloody weather. I really could use a frozen pint of Guinness now.

Melissa dropped her jaw. Guinness Stout? Are you serious?

Beth raised an eyebrow at him.

What? Brendan furrowed his brows. Why that expression?

You could easily go for the non-alcoholic alternative, like soft drinks? Melissa sighed. Plus, you don't look like someone who drinks alcohol. Or Stout, for that matter.

Yeah, who can forget the time during Media Arts when you entered with glassy eyes?

Enlighten me, please, Beth suggested.

Melissa nursed a can of Guinness Stout and a bottle of 100Plus before class. Mr. Xavier gave me a quizzical expression, as if to ask why we couldn't wait until we were done for the day to drink.

That bad?

She looked fine to me, so I guess it must have been her behaviour. In hindsight, she looked like she was unusually high, as if someone fed her a packet of the Australian candy that she loves.

Hey! Melissa protested. You make it sound like I'm hooked on sugar, which I'm not.

No comment.

Can I see the list of names, Beth? I want to see if there are familiar names on it.

Beth, who clutched the clipboard that contained the attendance list, silently handed it over.

As Beth and Brendan continued the conversation, Melissa's heart paced as she scanned the names on the list. She didn't want to run into someone. Although she knew that it was impossible because he had told her something else, she needed to be sure. She breathed a sigh of relief as she returned the clipboard to Beth.

He's not here, she offered by way of an explanation.

Sounds like you’re avoiding someone? Brendan commented.

Yes. And that’s because I don’t want to be giving a tour of the campus to someone I know. I would rather have someone from the academic office to do that.

They walked up the stairs to the first floor of the middle building, where they were greeted by a seating area outside the offices of the head of departments. It was a brightly-lit area with a couple of yearbooks from previous years and daily newspapers on the coffee table. As he approached Mr. Gerry's office, Brendan elaborated that there were five departments in total, consisting of the Departments of Social Science, Mathematics, Business, English, and Science. He added that Mr. Gerry was the History teacher and also in charge of the attendance. Anyone who skipped their classes without a valid reason or arrived after a reasonable period would have to give a good reason for their conduct. Failing which, they risked detention and had to spend their free time with him in his office. If a student skipped more than two weeks' worth of classes, then he or she ran the risk of spending an extra semester to repeat the subject.

This may sound like a stupid question, a voice from the crowd asked. But what would the reasonable period constitute?

That's not a stupid question, Brendan answered. It'd be ten minutes after the start of class. I'll let Mr. Gerry elaborate more on this.

When Mr. Gerry exited his office with a smile, it struck Brendan as odd because he was stricter towards his students during class times and barely smiled much either. Hello everyone, Mr. Gerry greeted. It's nice to see all of you. I'm in charge of teaching History as well as the attendance. So, if you skip too many classes, I'll haul you into my office. Chances are you'll have to spend a free period under detention with me keeping an eye on you. With that in mind, History will be in the room over there. He pointed in the direction of an empty, smaller meeting room at the back of the area. Don't follow the listed room on your timetable. I hope to see you in class tomorrow then.

Thanks, Mr. Gerry.

My pleasure, Mr. Gerry acknowledged as he returned to his office.

Now - Brendan turned to the group of students - we'll be headed over to the academic office now. You'll collect your individual timetables from the person in charge. After that, we'll head over to the science labs before making our way to the classrooms and the library.

Together with your timetable, the academic office - or rather, the officer - will be handing a form for you to pre-select the courses for next semester, he continued. I know that it might be too early to consider this, but that's just to give them an idea to arrange the class times and rooms. If you need a pen, feel free to shout out. Sounds good?

Chapter Two

There was a short period of silence after the library tour ninety minutes later, in which the team had a quick discussion on what to do next. They were stuck between ending the campus tour earlier or to walk down to Asia Cafe for a group lunch as planned by the college management. Melissa looked at the commencing students scattered along the hallway and knew what she had to do. Boredom and exhaustion were already sketched on their faces.

I think we better call off the entire thing, she suggested. That'll give them the breather that they want. We've already introduced most of the facilities or at least the ones that they should know about.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if they are fed up of us gabbling on and on about the campus when all they want is to head home or catch a meal, Beth agreed. What about you two?

Tim nodded.

It works by me, Brendan commented. Our job's done anyway.

Okay then. Melissa nodded before she faced the students and projected her voice. So, guys, I'm really sorry to tell you this. I know that we are to disband after lunch at Asia Cafe, but we've decided to call it off since we're running behind schedule. She could see the relief in everyone's faces as she made the announcement. It's also been a long morning for you guys as well. The tour officially ends now. Thanks for coming and spending time with us. If you want to head off, it's okay to do so. If you want to stay back and have a chat with us, it's also okay with us.

As the commencing students headed off in separate directions with Tim and Beth following them a minute later, Brendan waited until it was just him and Melissa before he broke the silence. Wait up, Melissa.

Sure, what's up?

Are you hungry? I'd like to take you to Starbucks for lunch.

Melissa blinked at him for a good minute. A little bit, she finally replied. Starbucks is a bit on the pricey side, though.

It's alright. I need to ask you about your recent trip to Perth.

Oh, okay. Let's head off then.

The coffeehouse that Brendan and Melissa chose to spend their afternoon in came with floor-to-ceiling windows that eliminated the use of excessive lights. This permitted the sunshine to spill through, which radiated a welcoming aura for all of the patrons. Instrumental versions of contemporary songs and classics hummed softly in the background. It nudged the diners to indulge comfortably in conversations. Framed photographs of painted sceneries lined the walls around the retail lot. The drinks that the coffeehouse offered were carved into blocks of wood that acted as the menu. It was hammered with screws into the wall above the baristas. A large fridge display containing sandwiches and cakes sat next to the cashier.

Brendan stood out of the queue and waited for Melissa.

After you, she spoke without taking her eyes off the menu.

Are you sure?

Yes. I’m still deciding.

A moment later, they were seated at a square table in the middle of the cafe that faced the baristas with their orders. Melissa ordered a venti-sized Cocoa Cappuccino while Brendan had a mug of Americano and a plate of Jumbo Croissant.

So, did you need to apply for a visa when you flew to Perth?

She choked on her drink. That was so Brendan, always straight to the point. Yes. The embassy recommended us to apply for the ETA.

ETA?

Electronic Travel Authority. It's a type of tourist visa. Why?

"My family and I are visiting Perth during the Chinese New Year holiday. Since you were just there a couple of weeks ago, I thought you’d be