*The Future Is Today

Described as the time that follows the present, the future is somehow always talked about, where large-scale plans are made, but yet, almost always, it never comes. Seconds turn to hours, days to weeks and months to years, but yet the future is perpetually out of reach, perhaps a coccoon of deceit shrouded with the progression of the present time to hide the fear of facing what struggles or pain the time ahead might hold. Sooner or later though, the future has to arrive, albeit without a fixed slot. For Sunway's academicans, the future was today.

One giant burden had been lifted off John Bow's shoulders, and that was his oral presentation. Days of anxiety had been satisfied with the 10plus minutes of presentation, one that got along pretty smoothly. To celebrate the end of the massive task, he invited an emo-looking Hans Basil out to AC. The celebrations turned out premature as Hans shocked John by whipping him in several rounds. The mood turned tables when two of John's hometown friends crashed the little outing, upping his mood while shoving Hans into the depths of alienism yet again. Thankfully, Nick Ivans was there to save the irritated Hans Basil by offering an escape route to Sunway Pyramid. Stepping foot there for the 4th day in a row was not an issue for Hans, as he desperately sought a way out from a potentially fun turned sick day. As for John, his celebrations continued as he drove out of town to 1 U with the other 2 friends. Hopefully he is aware that the end of oral presentation is not the end of the course.

Not as lucky as John were the Sue Anne and Angie Flo, who were more interested in looking good than presenting well. Wondering around the mall with Angie Flo, Hans, Nick, Diane Shine and Thomas Gene culminated with only Angie and Thomas getting what they wanted, as Sue could not find a skirt for her presentation, those she have at home not conforming to the standards required. Things did not get better after Angie departed for home. The 5 friends enjoyed dinner before going their seperate ways, with Sue roaming the mall alone hoping she could pick out something. Unfortunately for her, she could not. With no formal clothing, would her mind go into overdrive and panic, causing her to lose focus on the presentation?

Tuesdays were the days where the girls usually took advantage of the long break to enjoy a quick escape to Pyramid. This time though, it was Dan Wise and John who took over the reigns, the latter accompanying the former to settle some issues before hitting the bowling arena. For the others, it was the banal lunch trip to any of the five available eateries around the college. It was during lunch that Sue, Angie and Hans had an open conversation, the very first time the trio laid bare within the presence of the others. The saying "talk is cheap" could not be applied in this case, as pressing issues were cleared and all doubts pertaining to certain matters removed.

For the first time in Sunway, every individual was bogged by issues of the heart. Hans had made the bold decision to shut his heart, even to friends, but the strings of the past continue to tug at that organ. Nick Ivans, down with an illness, still confused and tired of the whole game love had enmeshed him in. Sue Anne's niggling issue - the inability to pick one out of three guys- had been solved. Abruptly, and against her will, with the discovery that Dan Wise had set his sights on another, and that Leo Jon was indeed happily attached. And with "Long-Haired Hottie" never a serious option, it seems Sue is back to the life of Lonely Girl, but only in love. Angie Flo, who seems to be out of the dating field perpetually, had been dumped back into the game, her initial crush on current "It" boy Lukas not taken into account. How apt that the boy she has her eyes on is indeed a close friend of Leo. Two close girl friends having crushes on two close guy friends. Hopefully Angie does not suffer the same fate as Sue, having endured the agony once. Nightly attacks of insomnia had seen Hans appearing zombie-like in college daily, but not once had he looked as terrible as Sanya Dival- unkempt clothes and hair, along with puffy and panda eyes. Fallen Sunway queen had crahed her ex's place the previous night, the after-effects of the act unclear. Pretty incongruous, as were her past actions. Was she going through a transition? Or was this all a major reaction to knowing that she had no chance with Mango Mophead? As for John Bow, his love life remained the same way it had been throughout his college life-stagnant, but yet again, he endured the miserable shame of being a negative target. Last year's bad hair days endeared him to the disparaging "gay" label, and this time, he was bluntly mistaken for a girl. Just further evidence that Lady Luck's vicious cycle continues, not sparing the victims hit before.

The time had come-planning for the future. Everyone had pushed aside thoughts of the future with regards of their tests, assignments and personal battles. But for this day, their brains had the uncomfortable task of solving what they had been avoiding. In one solid hour, every indviduals' brains were scrambled as they were inundated with multitudes of information- from entry requirements for different courses, campus locations, the different available courses, different intakes, to the different items to prepare and the list was endless. Confusion raged as their minds raced to think of what they should do, realising that their future had to be decided soon, with no further delay. Calls were made, questions strewn and heads scratched as Sunway's Mixed tried to decide what was best for them. For some, reality bit them hard that separation beckoned, that their applications to the respective universities not only marked their futures but also the dispersion from the group. While separation was out of their hands, their future was not, as they had just over a week to carefully plan the fine details of their future. For the sake of their future, hopefully every individual makes the right decision, and not let it be swayed by external influences.

Hans was one student, together with John, who had been bothered by the future for a long time. It had no connection to his "shut off" mode, though his recent actions had raised eyebrows, perhaps a part of his new self. A shocking blast at Nick during the usual after-school meal was followed with disparaging and deriding comments and attitudes towards Sanya and Ash, who felt powerless and stunned. And with Dan constantly reminding him of Lukas' rising popularity, Hans' reaction was one of nonchalance. Silence as a sign of jealousy that the spot he had once held now taken firmly by someone else? Or silence indicating that he could no longer be bothered by the trivial matters in college? While the dethroned king had retreated into an emo shell, his ex was not lying down without a fight. While her attempts at snagging a hot guy had failed, she followed the same medium that shot Nick to stardom- media. News that she would appear on television proliferated around college, and tongues started wagging. Could this be the one thing that would reclaim her throne back from Diane Shine? Or would it represent the one last final opportunity she had?

The rainy days have started, the dark clouds continuously gathering and indicating that they would be watching over Sunway for a longer period before sunlight can pierce through the darkness and shine over this city that never sleeps, but always slips. Faces of people have also turned dark, their light ravaged by the blackness of evil, masked by deciet and betrayal. The Good had turned bad, The Bad had turned worse, and for The Ugly, well, they remained ugly.