Tangent Souls

Chapter Three: The New Girl

There's no snow on the ground this morning but the air stings my face as I walk to class. I was too excited and forgot my gloves, a rookie mistake anywhere near the East Coast in January. I decided to stop and grab a peppermint hot chocolate from the coffee shop to warm my fingers. Sampson and Claire are working the morning rush and I can't help but feel bad for them; this cafe will be packed until at least 11:30am.

At the register, on a tall dark wood counter I nearly have trouble seeing over, I ask for the usual and Sampson writes my name on a still holiday themed cup. He doesn't bother to actually ring up my order, it's one of the perks of being an employee and I work with him on my Thursday evening shifts.

"See ya Sam! Bye Claire!" I say, and continue on to class.

I spend twenty hours a week in the coffee shop, but I like the work so I don't mind and of course I always need the money. I don't want to make coffee forever though. I just need to figure out what I want to do after school. I know I love math but what's an actual profession I can be passionate about. For some reason I'm not really drawn to teaching math. I think I would rather find a job where I can apply mathematics somehow. Maybe economics or accounting. Either would be fine I guess, but would I really love it? I still have a few months before I have to declare a major. I'll figure it out.

My first class on Mondays is Comparative Literature. I'm able to find a seat near the front and recognize a few of the students from previous classes. We mostly go over the Syllabus; it sounds like we'll be focusing on great books of the 19th century with a focus on the role of newly discovered works by Non-human persons. Sounds interesting enough to me. My mind is racing thinking about possible term paper topics.

I have a break between my 9am and 11am classes. I text Blake good morning and eat the yogurt I've packed for breakfast. I'm a little anxious so I decide to go find the room where my advanced math class will be. It's in the new section of camps; there are less architectural brick buildings here and more modern stone designs. I'm closer to the graduate student apartment buildings than I often am. I wonder how different the apartments are from the dorms. Maybe I'll find out if I attend graduate school. Wait, do I want to get an advanced degree? I don't know, it's something to consider I guess.

I find the correct building and am glad to go in and warm my hands. The first floor is mostly a wide open space, I notice. There is a sitting area connected to the wide staircase that leads to the second floor, but this area doesn't have an upper floor; It's just a wide open atrium area. I think this is where the spring formal is normally held, but I didn't attend last year. There were just too many exams on my mind to make time for a night of dancing. I'll make an effort to go this year. I know Grace would like it if we could dance together and I'll invite Blake. We had so much fun at Senior Prom, I would love to relive that night just a little.

My classroom is on the second floor so I take the stairs up and find room 206. I don't want to be the first to arrive so I find a reading nook and review my text books until out of the corner of my eye I notice a few others go in.

I enter the classroom and notice that, thankfully, I seem to be appropriately dressed. There's a young woman in the third row wearing a purple sweater and golden hoop earrings. She is sitting next to an auburn haired guy in a knitted, olive colored half zip sweater. Just in front of me, in the front row, is a another more disheveled guy with ruffled hair. He's wearing some sort of graphic t-shirt. This is good, I think to myself, I fit in alright. I feel more relaxed until I notice that they all seem to be looking at me.

Ruffled Hair sits up, "Hey, are you lost?"

I keep walking towards the empty seat on the other side of the purple sweater lady. She looks nice enough.

"No, I have class here. Thanks though," I say tucking my backpack under the desk. "I'm Eliza." I try to sound confident and cheerful.

Auburn hair turns towards me. "Hi Eliza. I'm Brennan."

I give a small waive of acknowledgement and he continues.

"This is Applied Regression 7115, is this the class your meant to be in?"

I nod and smile. "mhmm this the right class."

"Ok, welcome," Brennan says. "We just weren't expecting anyone new. Most of our classes are just our cohort of eight. So how did you end up here?" He asks the question in a way that sounds intrigued not like he doesn't believe me, so I don't mind answering.

"Several letters of recommendation and a perfect math score on my SAT I guess," I say shrugging, like it's a completely casual thing to say.

"Dang girl, good for you," Purple sweater says reaching out for a handshake. "I'm Kate ."

I shake her hand. "Hi, nice to meet you."

"So what year are you?" Ruffled Hair asks. "You look like a baby."

I know I look young, but I'm no baby. I'm starting to think maybe I'm not going to like this guy.

"Sorry, about Cody. He's very rude... obviously," Brennan says, looking at Cody like a dad who is tired of correcting the ornery child.

"Oh it's alright. I'm a sophomore. I just wanted to try something a little more advanced this semester as a challenge."

At this point a few more students walk in and take their seats. Class should be starting soon.

Cody pushes his hair back and leans closer to us. "Well if you need any help with homework or studying I can come over and help you out any time."

"No, " Kate says scoldingly. "No flirting."

"Give her a chance to make up her own mind," he says giving me an overly dramatic wink.

Yep I'm definitely not crazy about this guy. "Ah, I see you were flirting. I thought you were just being rude like Brennan said. Makes more sense now," I say somewhat sarcastically.

Brennan chuckles, "I think she's made up her mind."

"And she's clearly in a relationship," Kate says pointing to my engagement ring.

Cody waives his hand dismissively. "Guys don't notice that sort of thing."

"Ooh you're engaged!" the girl in the seat ahead me squeals. "Me too."

She turns and shows me her ring. Her hair shifts and I can see the points of her ears; she's an elf. Goodness she's pretty.

"I'm Zara"

"Hi, I'm Eliza."

"We should absolutely talk wedding planning sometime. No one else here gets it," she says as she gestures to the class in general.

"Definitely! It's fun, but also terrible at the same time right?" She looks a bit confused for some reason but agrees.

"Yes, for sure."

Finally the professor arrives and I'm excited for class to actually start.

Cody calls out to Professor Connolly, "Hey Professor C, look we have a new little math baby this semester." He points across the classroom towards me.

I do not love this attention and I definitely don't like being called a math baby.

"Yes Cody I realize we have a new addition to our group. I would have had to approve a sophomore taking this course obviously." He turns to me with a warm smile. "Welcome Eliza. Perhaps you will give Brennan a run for his money this semester? Someone needs to steal a t-shirt of glory away from him at some point."

Brennan looks a bit more serious than I've seen him yet. "Eeeh I don't know that "needs to" is accurate. I'm completely fine with winning every shirt."

Zara laughs, "Are you feeling a little intimidated Brennan?"

He does seem a bit flustered. I still have no idea what they are talking about though.

"What is a t-shirt of glory?" My curiosity has been piqued.

Professor Connelly answer, "The t-shirt of glory is a bragging right, and also obviously a math themed shirt, that is awarded to the student with the highest score after each test."

Brennan turns to me, "I've just happened to have the highest score on all of the past exams. So, don't feel any pressure to win, it's not actually a big deal."

"Oh no, I definitely want to win a shirt now. This makes tests even more exciting."

"Uh oh, I think Brennan is looking nervous," Cody hollers across the room.

"I'm not nervous, like I said it's not really a big deal. But in fairness I don't want a new student getting her hopes up and being disappointed."

"So you don't think there's any way I, a little Sophomore, could possibly do well on an upper level exam?"

I'm not sure if he's wounded my pride or if I'm on the edge of feeling angry. Will none of these guys take me seriously?

Brennan looks caught off guard. "From what little I know about you so far I think you're going to do very in this class, I just meant it's unlikely you'll do as well as me."

"You're very confident. That's fine," I say as I reach down for my backpack and pull out the sticker from Grace. I carefully pull off the backing and smooth it on to my notebook cover. I look Brennan in the eyes as I say, "so am I."

Brennan seems unsure how to reply, but Kate grabs my arm and says, "That was weirdly intense. I like you."

"Ok then, it seems like this will be a fun semester," Professor Connolly says. "Should we do some math? Let's get to it."

Class let's out a little early so I have plenty of time to grab lunch and do some reading before my afternoon classes. I want to text Grace to see if she wants to meet for lunch, but I seem to have a bad phone signal in this building.

I step outside and sit on a wooden bench. It has gotten even colder and the air is biting at my fingers. I text a few words and stop to try blowing some warm breath into my hands. It doesn't help much, but I wasn't really expecting any satisfactory relief.

"Eliza," I'm startled to suddenly hear my name called and surprised when I look up to see Brennan. "Here, please take my gloves."

"Oh no, I can't. Then your hands will be cold. I'm fine."

"I won't be cold and my car is just down the street. And also, I want you to know that I might be overly confident but I swear I'm not a complete ass."

He puts the gloves next to me on the bench and begins to walk away as he says, "see you Wednesday."

I feel a bit disarmed for a moment and almost forget to thank him.

"Thank you," I call out, hoping he's heard me.

I put the gloves on and they are far too big, but the insides are luxuriously soft; these are quality gloves. I have to remember to return them. They're also still warm from Brennan wearing them. He must have just taken them off to hand them to me. Darn it, I was feeling sort of inclined to dislike him and Cody but I'm too easily won over. Brennan is probably alright.

All of my Monday classes finish by 3pm and I start the walk back to my dorm room. I'm looking forward to microwaving a bowl of soup then taking a hot shower. Even once I'm wrapped in a blanket, eating my chicken noodle soup, I feel the cold clinging to my jeans and sinking down into my skin. Winter is beautiful, but I can't wait for the warmth of summer and for the chance to swim and breathe in the ocean air.

When I get out of the shower Grace is back from class as well.

"Hey, how did your first day go?"

"So amazing," she practically sings, "I joined ski club, bowling club, and choir. I ate lunch with my bestie and got told my boots are cute like six times. "

I can't help but pick up on her energy and feel more positive. But bowling club? I have questions.

"Bowling club huh? That's not an expected choice for you."

"I have no idea how to bowl, but there was the most gorgeous elf I've ever seen working the club sign up table."

"Ah, well obviously you had to sign up then."

I put on my warmest set of pajamas and settle in with a hefty Regression textbook.

"So tell me," I say, "is Violet guilty of using an acne curse?

"Hah, I think you were right; she says she doesn't know such a spell. And that's it's not her fault Carter is an ugly cheater. It sounds like the Dean has no proof either way so she isn't in any real trouble."

"Good for her."

Grace plops down on the edge of my bed. "And how was your day?"

"Good. Just the usual first day back, a bunch of syllabus review."

I let out a small sigh and she gives me her worried mamma bear look. "Spill it," she commands.

"I'm a little stressed I might have slightly oversold myself in my Regression course. Everyone in that class knows each other, they're all older and have more experience, and I got worked up and basically challenged the apparent top student. I have to do well now."

"First of all, you couldn't have oversold yourself because you're awesome. Secondly, this is your math class right? You love that sort of thing. Like I said this morning you are going to crush them."

"You are the best hype girl."

"I know. Now read your textbook and keep being fantastic. I'm going to the library to try to bump into the cute guy that restocks the shelves."

After Grace leaves for the Library I give Blake a call. He should be off work and home by now.

"Hey you," he answers, "everything go ok with your new classes today?" Hearing his voice somehow makes me happy and suddenly sad at the same time.

"Yeah, everything went decently well today. I still have my first swing dance class tomorrow, but that should be a fun one."

I'm silent for a moment and he fills the void.

"Sorry I was a bit out of it yesterday. I work with a good crew, they're just a work hard, play hard bunch."

"It's alright. I just... I don't know, I guess I'm just really missing you. When can you come visit?"

He sighs and I know him well enough to know that he isn't about to say he'll hop in the car and be right there.

"I'm sorry Eliza. It's just that I'm the newbie here you know? I'm the one that gets the crappy shifts and has to be on call overnight. It's freezing, if Someone's HVAC goes out now we make a ton of money charging for emergency repairs. I know the hours suck but the money is good. It will be good for us in the long run."

"I know you're right, we have a lot to save up for." I suddenly remember the Spring formal. "There's a big dance here every March; can you come, please? I would love to see you all dressed up. And I know it's a long drive so you can stay here with me afterwards, Grace won't mind."

"I would also love to see you dressed up, so definitely. If that will make you happy I will be there. Just send me the date so I can get it off for sure."

"Ok, It's a date then. Love you."

"I love you too."

Knowing exactly when I'll see Blake again makes me feel so much more at ease. When I'm ready for bed I don't need to count sheep or numbers.