The Spotlight

In High Schools, Colleges and Universities, the spotlight never fails to shine on the "It" students- the popular girls, the sportsmen and the filthy rich-where their every move is monitored and copied to perfection, while the outcasts- the nerds and geeks, are flung to the sidelines, forced to watch the drama unfold in the dark, hoping they get a lucky break & step into that coveted spotlight. And sometimes they get that break. Like Jay Dic, the prenniel nerd of Sunway University College, who enjoyed his fifteen minutes, maybe more, of fame.

Jay Dic never had the opportunity to showcase whatever hidden talents he may possess. No one approached him to ask him about his life, the problems he faced or the emotions he was going through. He was just a member of the audience watching the flurry of activities happening on the theatre screen that was Sunway University College. But there was one place and time where he created the spotlight for himself, and that was in Accounts, where he constantly reminded everyone that he was excellent in it. And so it was apt that it was during Accounts that the spotlight fell on him.

Angie, Sue and Alicia, a classmate, were discussing about the topic girls enjoy most-boys. In this case, they were reviewing the college hunks. Jay, who was seated nearby, overheard the conversation and added his own inputs-that there existed this student named Darren who was the most muscular of them all. Tad weird? Maybe. But the awkwardness didn't stop there, in fact, it was just beginning.

Jay, despite nobody asking, started voicing his plans to hit the gym in a bid to slim down and get into shape. He lamented the fact that he was obese and that everyone was talking about it-from his mom to his cousins. Jay then asked Alicia what she thought of his body. Excuse me? Alicia, clearly deplored, knew the answer, but could not reply. It was clear for everyone to see the type of body Jay possessed, and he knew it-he just wanted a second opinion. Unfortunately for Alicia, she was the victim, but she cleverly avoided the question. Jay continued babbling about gyms, exercise and slimming down, until even the lecturer, Miss Susie, got invloved. Just what was going through Jay's brain, if he even had one?

The spotlight did not stop shining there though...

In Economics, the lecturer, Miss Pat Riba, was dishing out the answers to certain questions. The class joker, Aron, decided to do some dishing of his own. This time though, the dishing wasn't for answers, but humiliation. And who better to recieve it, than Jay Dic himself. Aron managed to get Jay into the spotlight again by sabotaging him to assist Miss Pat in writing an answer. Jay wasn't too pleased, and swore under his breath, but at least he managed to achieve his dream of finally feeling like a lecturer himself, albiet for only five minutes. Jay should be careful though. Being under the spotlight means that your actions are scrutinised. Can he handle the pressure?



As the day wore on, it was clear that today just wasn't Jay's day. The Math tests were returned, and for the second time in a row, Jay lost out to Hans. Whatever happened to his sky high results? As if that didn't batter his ego enough, he learnt that Hans bettered him in total internal marks. While Hans basked in the shock, Jay was hotly bothered and cursed one too many times, mostly at himself. Perhaps it would be wise for Jay to learn that life under the spotlight isn't always as pleasant as it seems, and that he should not covet it as much as he had before.

Clearly, Angie Flo was not used to learning from mistakes, as she took to the wheel just one day after her "non-accident". This time though, it was only her and Hans, as they set off for a movie outing. Was Angie willing to risk her safety for a "date" with Hans? And she must have been feeling that it was her lucky day. Getting some personal time with Hans, which had been gradually disappearing for weeks, was great, and it went one better- she met his older brother, equally dashing, slightly less hot. Hans and his brother did some brief catching up, before the latter asked the former if Angie was his girlfriend. Hans, who saw it coming, casually denied and brushed it aside. Angie however, seemed flustered and suspiciously looked to have overdone her denial. Had the question Hans' brother asked hit a nerve with her? Or was it the response Hans himself gave?

As the day came to a close and the weekend approached, many of Sunway students departed to their hometowns for a brief 3 day visit, including Sue Anne and John Bow. What about the rest of the residents, especially Hans? Would he be forced to entertain himself now that he's alone? Judging from the rager that went on in his room, where Nick and few others were present, until the late night, he probably won't.