Chapter 9
Tuesdays and Thursdays will likely be my favorite days of the week.
By some miracle, I was able to schedule two of my classes back-to-back, both in the Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. Hall—or, MHJ Hall for short.
Not to be confused with the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, a different building on the other side of campus.
Way to be super confusing, Eidola University.
Jude
how are classes so far?
My stomach finally growls loud enough to remind me I need to eat, so I head to the kitchen to heat up last night's leftover pasta. While the microwave works its magic, I watch my phone for a notification. Nothing happens.
No big deal. Nikki’s probably in class right now. I’m not that impatient.
As I dig into my reheated noodles, I switch our little TV on and stream an episode of Community, my favorite comfort show. Still no text.
Another episode later, I figure maybe it’s time to sweeten the deal.
Jude
I’m actually already done with classes for the day so if you have any breaks or would like to let off a little steam, I have an empty dorm all to myself for a couple of hours
That might get a faster response. Not that Nikki only cares about sex—I’m simply giving her a little extra incentive.
I start the next episode and settle into the couch cushions. It takes some time, but I eventually relax enough to enjoy the show, and I even forget to check my phone every two minutes. I drift in and out between my thoughts and the show, allowing my eyes to rest for just a few moments…
The loud click of the door unlocking and opening startles me awake.
“Oops, did I wake you up?” Celeste asks, pausing on her way to her bedroom. “I didn’t expect you to be in the living room.”
I stretch out my limbs with a groan, blinking until my contacts no longer feel like they’re about to pop out. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Is it already 3?”
“3:30, actually,” Celeste replies, disappearing around the corner. “I actually got caught up talking to some of my classmates.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, quickly scrambling for my phone to check for—
I sigh. My text to Nikki is still unanswered. Not even opened, by the looks of it. I guess that’s better than being left on read.
But I do have one unread message from Oliver.
Oliver
so if you finish class by 11:30 and it’s just the first week of school, how do you plan to spend the rest of your day if you don’t have homework?
A small smile creeps across my face. Well, at least someone texted me.
Celeste reemerges from her bedroom, wearing pajama shorts and a tank top. “So how was day two for you?” she asks, retrieving a LaCroix from the fridge.
“It was good,” I answer. “Finishing early is great, but kind of boring so far. I’m sure that will change once the workload picks up.”
“Oh, definitely,” Celeste agrees, popping open the can and sitting in the armchair. “Anyone familiar in your classes this year?”
“A couple of social work majors are in my stats class. But no one that I really know.” I fidget with my phone case. “Oh, actually, one of Max’s new roommates is in Intro to Psych with me on Mondays and Wednesdays.”
Celeste laughs. “Oh, really? Which one?”
“Oliver, the tall blonde one.”
“Ugh, the white guy? Gross.”
I snicker. “He’s actually not that bad.”
“Well, that’s good. The other guys were vouching for him like crazy the other night, so he must be pretty decent.”
“Yeah. But what about you? How is your class load so far?”
“It’s fine,” Celeste muses. “I’m finally done with my core classes, so this semester is going to be way more intense and focused. I’m nervous, but excited, too.”
“That’s awesome,” I say with a smile. “Who were you caught up talking to? Was it anyone interesting?”
“Yeah, I think I might apply to join the school newspaper, The Eidola Eye,” she says eagerly. “It’ll give me experience and opportunities to network.”
“Damn,” I reply. “You sound so ambitious!”
Celeste scoffs. “I’ve always been ambitious, bitch! Just because I’m not an overachiever like Nikki doesn’t mean I’m some slacker.”
I roll my eyes. “I never said anything about Nikki.”
“You were thinking it.”
“I wasn’t.”
“Whatever,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. “The point is, I’m going to shoot my shot with this paper and see what happens.”
“Good for you, girl!”
At that moment, my phone vibrates on my lap. I scramble to check it, and sure enough, it’s finally Nikki.
Nikki
Jude omg I’m so sorry I missed your text! It’s been a crazy day. I’m already heading home but I’ll keep your Tuesday/Thursday schedule in mind for the future <3
“Anyway,” Celeste continues, seemingly oblivious to my inner crisis. “I was thinking about inviting Max over for dinner tonight. Is that okay with you?”
I place my phone back on the coffee table. “Yeah, of course.”
“I’m going to make coconut chicken and rice. Can you help me with it in about an hour?”
“Sure.”
“In the meantime, can we watch an episode or two of Abbott Elementary? I need to decompress before cooking.”
“Absolutely,” I answer as I pass her the remote. I glance back at my phone on the coffee table and reluctantly pick it up to answer Nikki’s text.
Jude
sorry you had a rough day! hope tomorrow is better <3
let me know when you have time to hang again - my schedule is wide open
also, before I forget, my friends are bugging me about hanging out with you too so maybe we can have a game night or something at my place?
Nikki
maybe!
wanna do dinner thurs night?
Jude
oh with max and celeste? I can check
Nikki
just you and me this time <3
Jude
oh okay. yeah sounds good!
Nikki
xoxo
I’m careful not to sigh aloud—I don’t want another argument with Celeste over Nikki, especially if Celeste was right. Maybe Nikki sees what we have as a casual fling rather than a real relationship.
It’s only been two months, though. I shouldn’t expect Nikki to be thinking in those terms. I’m not planning on getting married anytime soon. I’m only nineteen, for fuck’s sake.
Ugh. I can’t think about this anymore. I close the chat with Nikki and open the one with Oliver instead.
Oliver
so if you finish class by 11:30 and it’s just the first week of school, how do you plan to spend the rest of your day if you don’t have homework?
Jude
sorry for the delay
honestly I wasn’t sure what to do with my free time today so I ended up accidentally taking a nap lol
Oliver
based
that’s exactly how I’d spend my time too
I fucking love sleep
Jude
I’m not the biggest fan, tbh
I’d much rather have more time in the day
Oliver
no way dude
sleep is the best
you morning people really are psychos
Jude
lol
well you clearly don’t seem to mind psychos too much
Oliver
nah, psychos are fun
keeps life interesting
Jude
glad to keep you entertained, Mr. Undeclared
Oliver
I can only hope I’m returning the favor, Mx. Second Row
“Ready to start dinner?” Celeste asks as she stands and turns off the TV.
Oh, wow, has it already been an hour? “Yep.” I follow her lead and stretch my limbs. “Is Max still coming?”
“He’ll be here in about thirty minutes,” she replies, then pauses when her eyes meet mine. “Oops, am I interrupting your sexting time with Nikki?”
My eyes go wide with horror. “Eww, no! I would never do that with you in the room!”
“I’m kidding, Jude,” Celeste laughs. “You’re blushing like crazy. It’s cute.”
I frown. “I must be too warm or something. I wasn’t even texting Nikki.”
“Whatever you say, hon’. Now, come help me chop some veggies.”