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Lecture ends in 12 minutes, work starts in 18. Usually this wouldn’t be a problem, but since your car called it quits after clunking to a halt two days ago, you’ve been biking to class and the greenhouse.
You mindlessly take notes but keep looking at the clock. 8 minutes left… then 5… then 2…
As the second hand hit the 12, you were already zipping up your iPad into your backpack. You hate that you were already standing up and weaving toward the door while the professors last couple words faded beneath the chatter and rustling.
You loved your ecosystem interactions class, but you were gonna be late and the garden is really probably your favorite part of the day. Plus you needed the cash.
…
The bike ride wasn’t too bad. It was a hot day and you were in a hurry so you were a little pink in the face and glowy with sweat when you parked your bike outside the greenhouse. But it probably didn’t need to distract you from lecture.
Oh well… it’s not like you’re gonna listen and not be stressed when you have to bike here tomorrow.
The stress eases as you ease into your workflow. You’re currently working on propagating some perennial flowers your boss wants to plant in a new collection of the campus garden.
The garden isn’t huge. It sits on the east side of campus, just past the arts buildings and over by the gym.
But the garden is your happy place. It takes you into your own little world while somehow simultaneously reminding you how small you are.
You were so lucky to get hired on as a student gardening assistant during your sophomore year last year. You’ve worked customer service before at a restaurant and an ice cream shop in highschool and talking to the public really isn’t your thing. Getting paid to sink your hands into soil and plant was like a dream. Even if it meant long hours in hot, direct sunlight.
…
You wrapped up your work for the day as the daylight began to dim. Placing the newly sewn seed trays under the misters in the greenhouse, stacking the empty pots, sliding of your gloves and rinsing the soil off your forearms.
Now, in a much more zen state, it was time to bike yourself home and back to your apartment on the other side of campus.
…
You unlock the door to your apartment to see your roommates, Hannah and Allie, curled up on the couch under a blanket. Allie was tossing pieces of popcorn from the bucket on Hannah’s lap into her mouth while they both laughed at what was playing on the tv.
“WITHOUT ME??!” you yelled in an offended tone as you realized that they had started the new episode of Love Island without you.
“Girl it just started!” Allie said not even looking up at you because she was so invested in whatever shallow conversation was happening between a very in-shape dude and a very botoxed brunette in a bikini.
“Plus, don’t you hate this show??” Hannah whipped her head around to chuckle at you in confusion as she shifted to make room for you on the couch.
You took your shoes off and dropped your bag in the hallway and plopped yourself down next to her.
“Yes… but I like making fun of it with you guys!! and i think you guys accidentally got me addicted” you chuckle as Allie offers you some popcorn and turns the tv volume up.
The three of you laugh and cringe and squeel for the next 20 minutes before you pause it to make a quick dinner and change into pajamas.
When you all sit back down on the couch, it’s with an open bottle of red wine and somehow even more enthusiasm about the show.
You loved your nights in with your roommates. They were your best friends. You’ve known Hannah since you were little because your parents were friends. And when Hannah introduced you to Allie, the actor girl she befriended on the first day of her ‘Introduction to the Performing Arts’ class freshman year, she instantly fit right in.
Allie was maybe the most outgoing person you’ve ever met, obviously built to be a shining light and the center of attention. Hannah was your longest, kindest, most loyal bestie. She could charm literally anyone and everyone who was lucky enough to encounter her.
You were a bit more reserved than they were, preferring your nights in with them, but they could still drag you out to parties every once in a while and you’d have a good time.
These girls’ nights in were a treat. Even more so now that Hannah had been spending more time over with the hockey player guy she’s tutoring… or pretending to date?… or idk it’s kind of messy and confusing