January 5

Hiya, me again, Sage...



Well, we didn't get to go to Sunset Valley for winter break like we planned. Things happened, and we just didn't get to go. I do suspect Mom's job and Sierra's placement had something to do with it. No mind, though, we had a wonderful Snowflake Day right in Hidden Springs. When the snow glistens off the mountains, it's one of the most beautiful sights on earth.

Sims University Professors 2013-14
Business - Debbie Richards, Brian Peterson, Juston Gates
Communications - Billy Jean Sparks, Sarah Maloney, Anne-Marie Lisle
Fine Arts - Madeleine Noetal, Savannah Plumb Cheesman, Garrison Fort
Physical Education - Lewis Rodgers, Stewart Hoyt
Science & Medicine - Norm Cramsky, Mitchell Boyce, David Schwartz
Technology - Wade Anthony, Lewis Rodgers, Jessie Adams

Speaking of sights for sore eyes, my mother's name appears on the faculty list at my school. I don't know how to feel about this.
A part of me is happy for her that she got this amazing job and opportunity to put herself out there and show herself off.
But another part of me is, like, did she really have to become a professor at my school? Seriously?



The day I returned to classes for the new semester I met the university president, Dr. John Simlius.



This semester we moved out of the dorms and into an off-campus rental house. The three of us ate breakfast together for the first time in what seemed like a millennium. We didn't have time to cook, though, it was quick frozen yogurts from the fridge.



"Guys, I'm sick of this back and forth, all this arguing and fighting. I'm just sick of being in the middle."
AJ hung his head in deep thought.
Kay looked at me pretty much in disbelief. But I meant what I said. This whole thing is wearing me out.



While I was at the Grotto I ran into Mel Corvallis from Sunset Valley, and as usual she was playing her cello. We were in grade school together. Mel was very musical and artistic and always liked the whole goth style.



"Sage?" she asked, looking up briefly. "Sage Cheesman?"
"Yeah?"
"Wow. I haven't seen you in a minute."
"Yeah, well, I've been -- around."
"I know when you guys moved to Hidden Springs I didn't hear from you."
"Mel, I'm sorry -- I lost your address." I wasn't lying, I did lose Mel's address. I had a whole book of addresses from Sunset Valley that I lost.
Mel told me that she got a music scholarship from the conservatory. She plans to join the orchestra.



I have Dr. Garrison Fort for a history class.



It's kind of curious that the only other people taking his course happen to be female. He IS kind of handsome though, lol, underneath those big round glasses.



Too bad I struggle to stay awake in his class.



And I'm not alone either. His voice sounds like squeaking chalk and he drones on and on about dates and battles.



Oh, and every morning he gives us a pop quiz on the previous day's lecture. I'm passing but only because I'm reading the course material and because Mom is a walking history book. Not that she's old or anything, but because she studied this stuff and she knows the material backwards and forwards.



The one bright spot in my life now is Kyle. I ran into him outside the movie theater. We talked for a bit, mostly about our families. He grew up near a lake, as well, but in Twinbrook (ironically enough).



"My grandmother was born in Twinbrook."
"Really?" he asked. "What was her name?"
"Her maiden name was Bellingham, I think."
"The name doesn't really ring a bell, but I'll ask around the next time I go back."



I had to tread very carefully because Tiffany Rich was documenting everything for the campus rag.



When Tiffany left, Kyle looked into my eyes and asked me if I wanted to go to the coffee house with him. I said yes right away.



When I walked into the coffee house with him, every eye in the place turned to stare. I didn't really see the point. Kyle and I are, actually, just very good friends now. We're not actually dating or anything. No matter, though, I didn't want to let him out of my sight. It was as if he and I were the only two people there.