Ecstasy

Chapter 2
“Now this is our on campus art gallery. Many of the art works are students, here on campus.” He rolled his eyes as the guide continued to speak in the monotone he’d been speaking in for most of the tour. The gallery was all in marble and deathly cold no doubt from the air conditioner being on high. He shivered and pulled down the sleeves on his white shirt, before shifting his side bag on his shoulder.

“Anthony are you listening to any of this?” The young man walked over to his friend, who was totally engrossed in looking at one particular painting on the wall.

“No are you?” Anthony turned his head to face his friends bored facial expressions. They’d only just arrived on campus four hours ago and already they were taking notes of who not to sit next to in lectures. “What do you reckon to the place Dawson?” He inquired again as his friend scanned the walls, uninterested at everything in general.

“It’s okay, just the same as any other UNI we’ve been to. Except slightly more expensive, no doubt we’ll be paying top price for everything.” Anthony laughed and shook his head at Dawson’s pessimistic view of things. “What do you reckon then, Davinchi?” Dawson joked, before Anthony gave him the finger and shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ll tell you in a weeks time once I’ve settled in.” Dawson nodded his head as they both returned to looking at the painting. “It’s divine isn’t it?” Anthony breathed as he gazed up at the painting, the masses of built colour and expressive strokes just adding to its appeal.

“What the hell is it?” Anthony laughed as his friend turned his head sideways trying to decipher what it was meant to be.

“It’s supposed to be an emotion, I think, like hate or calm.” Dawson looked up at him blankly before looking back at the painting.

“Yeah bullshit, it looks more like a mascara at a paint factory.” Anthony rolled his eyes and sighed, Dawson wasn’t an artist but a performer so Anthony didn’t expect he’d get the meaning behind the painting. They’d both been studying for three years and they were entering into their final year. It had been hard three years each in a different art collage, as part of an organized program for the gifted students. It allowed the freedom to broaden the mind and explore varying situations in states around the country. Experiencing various lifestyles and meeting new people all in aid of furthering their studies.

“Alex is an expressionist sir, you are supposed to look beyond the paint and see what it is supposed to mean rather than what it looks like.” Both men spun around at the voice behind them, it was their tour guide who was also looking up at the painting. Anthony glanced across at Dawson who was smiling at the little skinny man, with glasses glaring up at the picture.
“Is he still on campus, I’d love to meet him.” Anthony took a small step back as the guide looked sharply across at him.

“It’s a she and you don’t meet Alex.” His voice was cold as he glared at both men, who looked at each other strangely. “Now there’s far better expressionist paintings in the other hall, if you’ll follow me.” The guide sudy bey became friendly again, gesturing towards the rest of the group. Anthony shrugged his shoulders at Dawson who was staring at him quizzically. Anthony had suddenly become more interested in this Alex person. He glanced back at the painting and smiled, if it killed him he’d meet Alex before the week was out.
Anthony sighed heavily as they walked the last few meters to where they had started the tour.
“Alright, these are your dorm arrangements. I’m sure you’ll be comfortable if not come and see us. Apart from that you’re on your own.” Dawson smiled as the guide finally stopped talking and began handing out the various pieces of paper with their room numbers on for the on campus living arrangements. “You two are in the second floor of the old masters building. Room 11&12. There’s a few other guys living there, but not as many as there used to be however.” Dawson nodded grabbing his large bag off the floor, as did Anthony.

“So how come?” Anthony inquired as the guide hd ovd over the keys to their rooms, and the name of the student to talk to in charge of the building.

“You’ll find out.” The guide smiled wickedly before scooting off to visit the other people with their rooms. Dawson looked across at Anthony who just looked as confused as he did.

“What the hell was that about?” Anthony shrugged his shoulders and put the key’s in his pocket as he picked up his other bag and put it on his shoulder.

“Don’t know, but we’ll find out when we get there I suppose.” Anthony smiled and headed towards where the guide had pointed. Dawson was a little concerned by how the guide had just dropped that little comment in for good measure. It made him a little uneasy so he was glad to be close to Anthony in the building. If things continued to get suspicious like they had been doing, this year would prove to be an extremely interesting one.

TBC........