Page 21 - Contrast1958Springv2n2
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Cindy's mind wandered. In her heart she felt a fear and a joy, be-
cause she was sure the evening would be a success, because this kind
of success could be a threat. Then she turned her complete attention
on Mike and took in every word, enjoying the serious way that he
described the things which were important to him, and the lighter
vein in which he could so casually make fun of other people.

      "Well, if you could have seen the three of them on the steps of
the old dorm, you would have split your sides laughing. They're all
great guys and I'm glad we got them in the frat. But one of our
pledges last spring turned out to be 'really out of it.' I can't even
stand to talk to him. Everything's O.K. as long as he stays out of my
way. I like a guy who can do something and he can't do a thing
worthwhile-doesn't take part in anything extracurricular, just studies."

       "Mike, do you dislike people who study?" Cindy was serious and
she wanted an honest reply. She didn't want Mike to get the wrong
impression about her; she wanted him to realize that she had come to
college to work.

       "Gee, no, Cindy, I didn't mean that. You have to agree though
that in order to get the most out of an education, you gotta relax from
the books some time. Most of the guys here study, but there is a limit.
I have my own views about things, and I guess from hearing about
my impressions of Shelby, you'll soon know what they are."

    Mike was right. u only took a full evening's conversation for

Cindy to get a pretty good look at Mike's inner nature. She had been
told by upperclass girls that Mike was a good date and a great guy, but
that he liked things this way. Like so many other people she'd known,
Cindy realized that Mike was pretty much of a conformist and didn't
think much of the individual who couldn't travel along with the crowd.

       Under the crisp cool sheets her mind wandered back to the eve-
ning's conversation. She thought a lot of Mike already, no doubt
about that; and she was also pretty sure that he approved of her. It
would be nice if they could remain friends, but friends was all it could
be. Not only had she promised herself that she would get only an
education at college, but also if Mike should ever find out how dif-
ferent she was, he would surely bring their friendship to an end. She
was glad that Audie was too eager to talk about her own evening's
events to question Cindy much about Mike. She couldn't talk about
it yet to anyone, she didn't know any of them well enough. Tor-

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