Chapter 7 Let’s Celebrate!
Let’s Celebrate!
Maisie
Classes are going pretty well for the most part.
On Monday afternoon, I’m back in my three-hour chemistry lab, which is giving me the hardest time—the lab specifically, but it’s an occupational therapy school requirement.
Regardless, I can’t seem to get myself to care about why mixing one substance with another and writing ten pages about it is interesting.
How is that going to help my future career anyway?
I put away the supplies from today’s lab and head over to the sink station to wash off the grime.
I always feel gross after messing with chemicals and sweating in my goggles and gloves for hours.
Once I’m cleaned up, I cross the room to grab my bag and phone from the section of “clean” tables, meant for non-experiment work only.
Picking up my phone, I see I have a voicemail from Lauren and a text from Angie.
I open my texts first and see the message from Connor that I decided not to answer.
I wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Shaking my head, I pull up Angie’s thread instead.
Angie: Guess WHAT!
What??
Angie: You’re talking to the newest junior reporter at the Magnolia Daily!
Omg Ang! Congratulations!!!! I’m so proud of you!
Angie wants to be a travel journalist after graduation, so this is a great step for her.
I’m almost a little jealous she is making such great moves for her future—and only a few weeks into our freshman year—but I’m also beyond happy for her.
She’s a real go-getter, and her hard work is paying off already.
Angie: We have to celebrate! When do you get home?
I just finished Chem Lab, so I can head home now. What do you have in mind?
Angie: Hmmm, how about that fancy ice cream place that opened over on 3rd? I heard they have romance books too! Something for you and something for me.
I’ll never say no to ice cream
Angie: Sweet ;) I’ll see you when you get home. Don’t detour!
I make my way out of the science building and into the sun. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the weather here. Then I remember I have a voicemail and press play before placing the phone to my ear.
“Hey, love! How is school going so far? Just wanted to check in on you. Have practices started yet? Please please please tell me you’re doing some fun things too. Anyway, call me back when you can. Love ya, bye!”
I smile as I draw the phone away from my ear.
Lauren is one of my favorite people on the planet.
I’ve always thought of her as the big sister I never had.
She’s four years older than me and went to college in California, so I haven’t seen as much of her as I’d like for a few years, but we still call and check in frequently.
She’s been my best female friend for as long as I can remember.
I’m thankful to get to add Angie to that list now, but Lauren will always be Lauren.
I open her contact and call her. She picks up on the third ring.
“Hey, you! What’s crack-a-lackin’?”
“Oh, not much over here. I’m walking home from chem lab,” I respond, dropping my voice dramatically.
“Uh-oh, I know that voice. What’s your beef with your chem lab?”
“Nothing really. It’s just boring as hell. I can’t find anything interesting about it. It’s long and makes me smell weird. I wish I didn’t have to take it as a pre-req for occupational therapy school.”
“Hmm, well, maybe ride this one out, but if you find yourself not liking your pre-req classes, it is okay to switch your major, you know? I know you picked it from a list Uncle Alan gave you, but that’s kind of what this whole college thing is about. Figuring out what you want to do.”
She doesn’t get it. Her mom, my dad’s sister, is the most laid-back person in the world.
Aunt Kaity works part-time at her local bookstore, is certified to teach yoga, and makes chunky jewelry as a side hustle.
Ever since Uncle Richard passed away, Aunt Kaity has lived by the “life is too short” motto.
She’s always encouraged Lauren to do whatever she wanted in life as long as it made her happy.
She and my dad could not be more dissimilar.
“Yep, sure, that’s what it’s for,” I force out.
“I’m serious, Maisie. I know Uncle Alan is intense about stuff, but it doesn’t mean his way is the only way. You’re eighteen, out of the house and on your own. It’s okay to explore and live your life the way you want to.”
Her words make sense, but they feel like trying to jam a puzzle piece in the wrong spot. Still, I decide I’ll let her words marinate.
“I hear you, LoLo, I do,” I respond with my silly childhood name for her.
She laughs on the other end before responding with her own nickname for me: “MaiMai, I want you to actually hear what I’m saying, but I also know you need time to process stuff like this, so I’ll let it go…
for now. How is everything else? Your roommate?
Diving? Karsen?” She says his name like a curse.
She’s never liked him and has not been shy about vocalizing it.
At first, I’m not sure how to respond. Do I tell her the truth? I’ve never not opened up to her before. I know she’ll tell me to leave him, though, and I don’t know if that’s what is best. I settle on an in-between.
“Karsen has been pretty busy with soccer. Things have been a bit strained, but I think we just need time to work through it.”
“You deserve better,” she says.
“Not every relationship is all sunshine and rainbows. We aren’t in the honeymoon phase anymore and college has been a big change for both of us. We’ll figure it out.” I’m not sure I believe that’s true, but I love him. That has to be enough, right?
“Fine, but I—”
I don’t let her finish. Instead, I continue, “Diving practices have started. You know how much I love my sport, but I’m still not sure this level is the best fit for me.
I guess it’s too late now—” My stomach drops as I say it out loud.
My dad convinced me Division I was achievable, so here I am, even though I never thought I was good enough for D1.
Disappointing him feels akin to being chased by a bear.
I move on quickly. “But anywayyyyy, my roommate—Angie—is amazing. We’ve been hanging out a lot, and she’s high-energy, but, like, not in an annoying way.
I feel comfortable around her, and you know how hard that is for me.
I’m actually on my way to meet up with her now, so I have to go in a minute. ”
“Maize, that’s great.” I hear the soft pride shining in her words. “I can let you go. Feel free to text any time, and I’ll check back in soon, okay?”
“Sounds good, LoLo. I’m glad you called. You know you mean the world to me.”
“I know, MaiMai. Back atcha. Love you, talk soon.”
“Love you too, bye.”
We hang up right as I’m approaching my dorm building. Today might have sucked a little because of lab, but it seems to be turning around. I navigate to our room to grab a shower before Angie and I can go on our celebratory trip to town.