Take an expeditionary course.

The fact is that the expeditionary courses wouldn’t be offered without prerequisites if they were not appropriate for everyone (although they are restricted to archeology majors, which I am) and this is what the counselor tells me on Monday morning. She explains that they are a great way to get a feel for the research that goes into this field, and that every undergraduate should do it at least once. I’m scared to travel out of the country (the only other time I’ve even traveled -outside my home state- is when I came here), but at the suggestion of the counselor, I go home that afternoon and sign up for the class. Looks like you’re finally growing up, Alex!

The expedition that I have chosen travels to Egypt with a class of twenty undergraduates, plus three professors and a grad student. The class will have the chance to examine a recently discovered tomb of an as-yet unnamed royal resident. Of course, what the professors don't tell you directly is that by "examine" they mean "do the dirty work" for the researchers there. Still, a good learning experience is promised, and I find myself rather excited, if not also apprehensive about the venture. We'll be gone five weeks following a one week introduction on campus.

When our departure date is at last approaching, I’m still packing my suitcase hours after I should’ve gone to bed for the 7am flight tomorrow. Rose keeps me company.

"What am I going to do here all by myself for five weeks?" she asks melodramatically. She's sitting at her desk, watching me fold my clothes and bag my toiletries. She seems to like having a roommate very much, and has been trying to warm up to me all week. It’s not that I don’t like her, but I’m a person that needs to acclimate, and I know I will; I just need time.

"I don't know. Why don't you bring over a boy?" I joke, "You'll have five weeks to goof around without any surprise interruptions!"

My roommate, laughs, quite surprised at me, I think, knowing that it’s not the usual kind of joke from a Puritan like me.

Then there’s a knock at the door, and Rose goes to answer. The door cracks open and a white guy with light brown hair and of medium height walks inside.

She’s quick on the draw, isn’t she?

"Alexis, I'd like you to meet my friend, Jonathan. He's the grad student in archeology I told you about, remember?"

"Pleased to meet you," he says, extending his hand to mine.

"Alexis," I say, putting on a shy smile, "Are you going to Egypt too?"

Jonathan lets go of my hand and solemnly shakes his head, "Alas, no. I've got my thesis to finish and I just can't afford to give up the time this year."

"Well that's too bad. But I can tell you all about it when I get back in about a month!"

We talk a little more, and then I decide that I should go back to packing, but Rose's friend has one more thing for me.

"Oh, before I forget, I brought a good luck charm for you. I got it in Egypt the last time I was there." He produces from his pocket a ruby stud hung off a bronze-colored chain. It has the look of something old, but it's beautifully restored if so. The jewel itself is a perfectly cut diamond and shines beautifully under the lights.

"For me?" I can hardly believe that I'd get such a nice gift from a stranger.

"Yah, here, try it on," he says, opening the chain and bringing it close. I back away. It doesn't seem right.

"Wait wait, I can't accept that; I just met you!"

Jonathan drops his arms and looks bashful. "But Rose has told me all about you, and any friend of hers is a friend of mine. Besides, you're a fellow archeology student, so I wanna show you the best of the department. We're good to each other down there, see?"

I really wish I didn’t have to be so suspicious of other people’s motives, especially when they’re being so kind to me, but I was reared away from society, taught not to trust others. I don’t suppose this kind of nicety is very common; I feel as if I’m being proposed to, what with his yearning puppy dog eyes and innocent smile.

Seeing that I’m unconvinced, the insistent fellow tries another approach. "Look, I even gave Rose one," he mentions to my surprise. "Rose, show her your pendant."

My roommate obliges and undoes her blouse just enough to pull a similar red stone from her chest. She beams at it and Jonathan adoringly. Funny that I never noticed her wearing it before.