Tangent Souls

Chapter Two: Spill The Tea

When my alarm goes off at 6:30 in the morning I'm already awake. My body is used to waking up early and I rarely actually have to rely on the alarm. Grace is asleep; I see just her head peeking out from under her thick comforter. I missed her over winter break and now I gently pat her sleeping head. closer now, I can see that she has new streaks of purple running through her dark hair. It will suit her, she's bold and feisty, and cute enough to pull off any look.

I wonder if I would ever be bold enough to try colored highlights. Maybe pink would work for my golden hair.

Yes, I wouldn't mind trying something new. It's just thinking about my conservative parents that often makes me hesitant to try certain things. I remember when I started dating Blake at sixteen they said I was too young, that I shouldn't worry about dating until I was at least eighteen. I smile as I remember my father's actual words,

"Why don't you just wait to start dating until you're married?

A joke really, but with a hint of truth about his feelings. Of course they adore Blake now, but they were a little too protective at first.

I quietly throw on a pair of leggings and a T-shirt to head to the gym. Luckily the gym is in the east wing of our dorm so I don't have to go outside. I wish I could swim, but the pool is located in a separate facility on the other side of campus and isn't open this early, so I settled for a run.

As I run I try to prepare myself for the day. I mentally go over my schedule and remind myself of my goals:

1) Earn a writing credit in Comparative Literature

2) Get at minimum, one Professor to like you

and impress him/her to have as a future

letter or recommendation writer

3) Earn A's in every class

4) Make at least one friend

I can manage that, it's a doable list. Honestly the most challenging goal may be making a new friend. I genuinely want to know people and I try to be kind to everyone, but I have a bit of a competitive streak. I would never apologize for being ambitious or confident in my abilities but I think I rub people the wrong way at times. Maybe I come off as arrogant or too controlling in a group setting?

I've always liked school and put a lot of effort into my projects. I can't stand to let someone slack off on a project and bring down my grade, so I would prefer to do it all myself if I had the choice.

It probably doesn't help that I put extra pressure on myself to be the top student in at least one of my classes every semester. I haven't decided which class to choose yet this term. I'll just see how things go the first few days.

After I run two miles I stretch and head back to the room for a quick shower. When I get out Grace is awake so I can blowdry my hair without worry of disturbing her.

"Morning sleepy head," I say.

"Oh shush, it's only 7:45 I haven't slept in at all."

"I like your hair," I tell her while brushing my own.

"Thanks, I just wanted to mix it up."

"So what's the latest news?" I ask, remembering her intense journaling session last night.

Grace is a Journalism major and want to be a reporter, but for now she's happy with her New Wellston newspaper column where she dishes the latest campus gossip.

"Oh it's good tea today," she says in a somehow menacingly giddy voice. "So, the word is that Carter Teague cheated on Violet Summers so she cursed him with eternal acne and now she might be expelled!"

I look at her incredulously. "Is eternal acne even a real wizard spell? I don't know about that."

"Well I'm going to interview Violet for her side of the story. And if Carter did cheat on her, he totally deserves to be cursed."

"I'm just glad I don't have to deal with any of this nonsense. College data drama just sounds like too much."

Grace playfully rolls her eyes at me. "We aren't all lucky enough to find Mr. Perfect and get engaged at nineteen. Some of us are a lot to handle and might have to search for awhile."

I laugh as I slide into my sweater. "Well I figured out how to handle living with you and I love you."

"Aww thanks," she says, and I know she really means it. "And that reminds me I got you a little gift."

Grace goes to her dresser and digs through her sock drawer where she pulls out a small present wrapped in red tissue paper.

"Oh here it is," she says, with her voice tinkling and going up an octave the way it always does when she's excited.

"But we already exchanged Christmas gifts before break," I protest.

"Yeah yeah, I know. But I saw this in a shop and thought of you."

I take the gift and undo the tissues paper. It's a small sticker decal that simply says, I'm>you.

"Oh my heavens, I really must come off as arrogant if this what makes you think of me." I say it jokingly, but I do feel anxiety creeping into my chest.

"Oh stop, you're like the nicest person I know. You can use it for your special class. You know, the one you pick to get all super competitive about and try to wreck the curve for the other students."

"I can do that, thank you," I say, knowing I will not be using this sticker. "It's usually more about me setting a goal for myself though than it is crushing the other students."

"See you're too nice. I say you should crush em."

I slip the sticker into my backpack and thank Grace again.

I take a step back and look into the mirror. I laid my outfit out last night but want to make sure it feels right today. I want to look nice, somewhat professional maybe. I just don't want to overdo it. I don't know what the graduate students wear to class. I'm used to my peers showing up to class in pajamas, but what if the grad students wear button downs and blazers? For all I know they could be in pajamas too, but it seems less likely.

I think I've picked a safe outfit; I'm wearing a maroon sweater that isn't too baggy or too tight, my favorite pair of dark skinny jeans, and my nicest winter boots. I put on some mascara and a neutral pink lipstick.

"How do I look?" I ask turning towards Grace.

"Beautiful obviously," she says "But let's add a little something."

She scans our bathroom vanity and then digs through the drawers on her side. She pulls out a black ribbon and ties it into a headband for me. It does add a nice bit of contrast.

"Perfect," she chimes, like I'm an art project she's proud of.

I grab my backpack and head towards the door.

"Go get em tiger," she says waiving.

"You too Boss Babe. See you later!"