C5 Chapter 5

It’s been two years and no one on campus does not know that Marcia and Jullian are an item.

One is never seen without the other, and if they are, the other would not be very far away, either by distance or time, because they would eventually run into each other within minutes.

The only exception is when they are attending their separate classes on campus. Outside of that, they are always together.

This used to be a problem for Steve, the president of the wine-tasting club, but now, it was standard that everyone in the club knew that they had one unofficial member – Jullian.

Jullian's ability for wine tasting and the concise comments, feedback, and recommendations he gives to the club members and guests who attend the club’s events have earned him the appreciation of Steve and the other club members.

The wine-tasting club is having a small gathering outside the campus grounds, and Jullian, as usual, is in attendance. He is seated beside Marcia, fingering his glass of beer. June, Marcia’s friend, is sitting on Jullian’s left, while Marcia is seated on his right.

June, fully aware that Jullian and Marcia are an item, is never seated far from Jullian during club events, or in fact, any time she meets with him.

Today is no exception.

“Well, everyone! Welcome, welcome!” Steve announces, standing at the head of a table laden with a great selection of cheese, meats, and other finger foods; and of course, wines.

Gesturing to his left and right, Steve continues, “Myself and the rest of the executive team are retiring today since our graduation is coming up next week.”

“So, this evening, we're going to hand over the club to the next generation, as it were; and I would like to say a very big congratulations to you, June, and to you, Marcia.” He announces happily to the attendees.

Applause breaks out at the table, glasses are lifted, and cheers are shouted out, with wine glasses clinking, celebrating Marcia’s ascension to Wine-Tasting Club President and June’s ascension to the Wine-Tasting Club Secretary.

Jullian claps slowly, his enthusiasm measured but sincere, joining the others without the fanfare of exaggerated movements.

He gives a rare hug to June, who jumps excitedly beside him, her hand on his arm, her face lit with happiness at the announcement.

And he gives an even rarer hug to Marcia, who has just finished shaking hands around the table.

“Speech, speech, speech!” The crowd chants.

Marcia shyly stands and says in a shaky voice, “Well, everyone, thank you so much. You know, I'm not good with speeches, and I know that I have all of you here to support, and June, I'm sure, will be excellent at –”

“Well, it's a great opportunity and a great pleasure to be the Secretary of the Wine-Tasting Club! I will...” June interrupts, launching into a full acceptance speech that lasts for another fifteen minutes, laying out the plans for both the secretary and president positions in the new regime.

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Everyone sits back with smiles on their faces, listening to June while sipping their drinks, Marcia inclusive. She doesn’t mind June taking over the speech-making, in fact, she is grateful for it.

She has never been good at making speeches and was never one for standing out solo; being part of a group on stage is one thing, but standing there alone is not her forte.

As Marcia sips her drink, Jullian places a hand over hers under the table and whispers, “You did great, and I know you're going to be an excellent president for this club.” His deep voice very close to her ear.

Marcia flushes, a small, shy smile on her lips, glances shyly sideways at Jullian, and responds softly, “Thank you, Jullian.”

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Another two years pass and now, it's graduation day. Jullian is nowhere to be found.

Marcia scans the crowd, searching for him, unable to find Jullian anywhere.

“Have you seen Jullian today?” She asks June, who is sitting beside her.

“No, I haven't. Have you?” She responds, her voice shaking slightly, as she also looks around.

“No, I don’t see him anywhere,” Marcia replies anxiously, turning her head left and right, rising slightly in her chair, frantically trying to see over the sea of graduation caps.

The graduation ceremony concludes in what seems like forever later to Marcia, and she is on her phone, calling Jullian's number. June, right beside her, is doing the same.

“It's not connecting, not even voicemail!”

“It's not going through; my messages are also not delivering. What's going on?!”

“I have no idea what's happening. When was the last time you saw him?”

“I saw him yesterday morning.”

“I saw him yesterday in the evening.”

“Did he say anything?” “Did something happen?” “What's going on?” They ask each other rapidly, their voices overlapping, “Let's see, let's look around,” “Let's check our usual spots, let's go to his usual places.”

“Okay, okay, I'll check around the campus,” June says; “And I'll check his apartment,” Marcia responds. They split up, searching everywhere that Jullian usually goes.

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By evening, Marcia is on the phone with June, sitting in the middle of her bed, knees pulled up to her chest, cradling the phone against her ear, her voice as miserable as it could be, low and hoarse.

“I don't know,” Marcia says into the phone, “I've looked everywhere, I can't find him. He's not answering his phone, he's not at his apartment – he's not anywhere. He's just…gone.”

“It's okay,” June responds, her voice cracking, it’s obvious that she has been crying or is currently crying silently. “I'm sure...I'm sure he'll turn up tomorrow, perhaps tomorrow we'll find him. I'm sure he'll turn up.”

“Okay, June. Thank you, and please don't worry. Everything will be fine. I'm sure everything is fine.” Marcia says.

Honestly, the last thing she wants to do is to try and comfort anyone. She’s feeling a lot of frustration and pain and has no energy to support anyone else's feelings.

“Okay,” June replies softly, “You rest up…rest too. I'm sure tomorrow, tomorrow we'll find him...tomorrow.” June concludes, her voice drifting off as she ends the call.