Chapter 5: Stress Management

“Would you like to get lunch?” he remarks, still close to her. Her face darkens, and she questions, “You mean like a date?”

He chuckles. “No, don’t worry. I won’t force that on you.”

A relieved sigh escapes her, and she answers as her anxiety simmers, “Yeah, we can get lunch, but then I have another class to go to.”

He nods in understanding and gestures for her to lead the way. Making her way down the street and towards the large Culp Center, she takes the ramp leading to the second floor.

Shyly she opens the door, holding it for him, but he reaches above her and holds it for her to walk through first. She enters the building and heads immediately towards her favorite sandwich shop. The line is long and gathering outside the entryway, but she doesn’t mind. The food is worth it to her.

Once her turn comes up, she’s greeted by the first worker with familiarity. “What’s it gonna be today, sweetie? Large or small?”

She puts a finger to her chin in thought and replies a moment later, “Small today. How are you doing?”

“Girl, it’s the same as always. Busy twenty-four-seven. What can I get you sir?”

Ezra orders a small, meatball sub, and Leila continues her chatter with the worker as she picks the toppings for her sandwich. “You’re a rabbit, I swear. Do you even want the chicken on the sandwich, sweetheart?”

Leila laughs and responds as she pays for her food, followed by Ezra, “Just the smallest bit.”

After paying, she finds a quiet table away from the crowd and takes a seat, waiting for the man before having her food. He sits beside her and smiles.

“What is it?” she asks as she takes a bite of her sub.

He places a hand to his chin and questions, “How’d you do on the quiz?”

Leila’s jaw tightens as she snaps her mouth shut.

“That bad, huh?”

She groans, laying her head on the table. “I only answered half the questions. I’m failing the course, and it just started.”

Ezra doesn’t say anything to combat her words. She peeks up at the man and asks weakly, “Do you think you could tutor me? I know you have other things to tend to like the violin course and your own work...”

He places a finger to her lips. “Of course, Leila.”

She blushes, embarrassed by his action and her stammering. Leila pulls away from his hand and mumbles, “T-thanks. I should probably head to my next class.”

He leans back in his chair. “I’ll see you tonight then?”

Leila nods in agreement and gathers her trash, throwing it away and meeting Ezra’s lingering, amethyst gaze. Her cheeks redden further, and she quickly looks away, scampering off to her next class: stress and relaxation management.

As she arrives at the large dome-shaped building, she struggles with getting inside, following several students around a corner since the front doors are locked.

“Okay. 321-A.” she repeats the number in her head. She doesn’t want to forget as she’s searching the nameplates for each room listed in the long hallway. Leila finally comes across the gym she’s looking for and walks in.

Students are standing there with their bags off to the side. Leila sets her backpack down as well and lines up with her pupils as the coach comes inside and introduces herself.

She pulls up a video on yoga workouts and states, “Along with these exercises, you’ll need to keep a daily journal of your day, like a diary. I’ll be reading and grading these every week. Now find a partner to do today’s program with.”

No one says a word, but eyes wander about the room, meeting gazes. Leila refuses eye contact with anyone until she’s the last one standing. The teacher walks up to her and responds with a smile, “Looks like we’ll be partners.”

Leila gives a slow nod, and the class begins their exercises, following along with the video. The first pose is a basic stretch focusing on the hamstrings. Leila feels her body cringe at the stretch and mutters to herself, “Why did I take this class?”

The class continues on with exercises focusing on different muscle groups until the last forty-five minutes of session. The teacher stops the tape and hands a mat to Leila. She stares at it in confusion.

“Lastly, meditation is good for the body and mind. Everyone grab a mat.”

Students do as told, reaching for the mats and passing them down to one another until everyone has one. A video of an ocean and music playing in the background starts next, and the professor states with a grin, “Follow along with the video.”

Leila frowns as she settles onto her mat and lies back as instructed. She exhales slowly and tries to calm her mind. This is the first opportunity she’s had to think about things, and she doesn’t enjoy it.

She tries to silence her mind, closing her eyes, attempting to still her thoughts, but Ezra invades her mind.

He was a handsome man, but he was her professor. He seemed kind enough, and his eyes... They pierced through her soul when she met his gaze straight on.

She shakes her head.

Anything with him would be taboo. The thought echoes in her mind. Did she want something with him? Her cheeks redden as she rolls to her other side and continues pondering.

She sighs quietly and lies there in silence, cursing her thoughts as they pop up in her mind. Anything and everything that could distract her from the present exercise for the class did. Frustration builds up in her, and the only thing she wants is to leave.

The music and oceanic noises stop. Leila sits up rapidly, dizziness overcoming her, but she shakes her head a few times before sanding. Folding her mat, she returns it to the pile where other students were laying their makeshift beds and gathers her things since the class is over.

She makes haste out of the room and heads back to her dorm. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. As soon as she arrives at the dormitory, she goes to her room, throwing her backpack to the side and collapsing in bed.

The sound of a door opening resonates throughout the mini apartment, and she hears footsteps coming her way.

“Rough day?” Hayley asks, leaning against the door frame. She jumps to her feet and points accusingly at the blonde. “This is your fault. You put thoughts there, and now...”

She tips her head to the side in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“Ezra! I have his class tonight, and you’ve buried thoughts in my brain!”

She grins, eyebrows wiggling as she asks, “Oh? You like him? We can get you set up with him for sure.”

Leila whines, “No, that’s not what I want.”

Hayley hugs the girl and replies while squeezing her shoulders, “We could go out tonight then? Skip the first day.”

She shakes her head. “No, no. I said I would be there. Maybe afterwards though.”

Hayley jumps in excitement, startling Leila. “Woo, I’ve got a cool roommate.”

Leila sighs and responds with reluctance, “Yes, yes. Now let me sleep off my stress.”

Hayley pulls out her phone and states as she scrolls through it, “Sure thing, but first, I need a picture of you for my contact info.”

Leila grimaces.

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Hayley frowns and questions, “It’ll be quick.”

Leila sighs and twiddles her thumbs answering with downcast eyes, “Because things pop up in them. They aren’t exactly pretty.”

The younger woman places a hand on her hip and asks, “What do you mean by things? You talking like ghosts?”

She meets her hazel gaze and replies, “Just creepy things.”

“Well now I wanna see.”

Leila’s eyes widen as Hayley quickly points the phone at her and snaps a photo of the woman. She scowls and quips, “Would you not do that?”

Hayley shakes her head and replies while looking over the image, “It’s just an orb, you know? Wanna see? I’ve had one in my pictures before. Think it’s my grandmother.”

She counters swiftly, glancing over her shoulder for a moment, “I doubt that’s the case.”

Hayley replies with a shrug, “Either way, it’s not as creepy as you made it seem.”

Leila shakes her head, not wanting anything to do with the supernatural occurrence, and crawls back into her bed. She curls up under her warm comforter and responds with a yawn, “I’m going to rest until my last class.”

Hayley nods her head, “Alright.”

She shuts the door, leaving the older female to her nap.

Leila rolls onto her side and sighs. She knew what the image would entail. She’s been haunted ever since she was a child. She ignores the entities, though, and refuses to give them any of her time.