Wildcards

Chapter 8

As Everly entered campus grounds, she stared upward. The sky was a perfect, cloudless blue. And the sun had now crossed the horizon, illuminating everything in gold. She took delight in feeling the warmth of the rays on her skin. Some of the early morning's cool air lingered, but they were definitely in store for a hot day. She thought.

She heard footsteps of what sounded like a person jogging to catch up with her, thudding behind her. Turning around, she came face to face with the source. "Sanderson," a guy with piercing blue eyes and sandy brown hair stood in front of her. "Coming to the party tomorrow night?"

"I don't know for certain Liam. But if my calendar stays clear,I might show up."

Everyone seemed to be interested in this party, which was beginning to make her curious. "Why's this party such a big deal anyway?"

He laughed at that. As if to let her know how ridiculous a question he found that to be.

"Are you serious? We're graduating next semester, no one knows what awaits us in the real world after that. So from here on out, every party is a big deal." Partying it up because they were in mid transition to official adulthood? She thought it was faulty logic, but didn't want to dampen his high spirits.

"How far we've come truly is something to be celebrated." She noted thoughtfully. She hadn't given herself much time to think about that. Graduation. Establishing her career after. She's kind of been moving from one thing to the next in the past few months. Some would even say, she's been focused on living in the moment.

Giving her a full grin, Liam nodded. "I like where your mind is at." And starting to walk away,he asked again "So, I'll see you there?" He was obviously the kind of person who didn't like half answers. Greys didn't exist in his world; things were either black or white.

Everly was amused by the discovery. Not because of a sudden romantic interest in him, but because she knew herself to be like that too.

And so for his instant peace of mind, she confirmed "sure."

"Awesome." He beamed before taking off. Probably running late for a lecture of his own. Or just rushing off to invite the willing, and recruit the unwilling to what he believed to be the party of the century.

Shaking her head after him, she stepped into the corridor leading to the only lecture she has on schedule today. Only to find an assignment scribbled on the white board:

'What is the role of emotions in politics? Do they have a negative or positive impact? Incorporate personal experiences if they can drive your argument forward. Paper's due Friday.'

That could only mean one thing- their professor wasn't going to show.

"What do you think of this one?" Ashley Simmons, a girl who's sat next to her since their freshman year asked.

Already excited by the assignment; and the opportunity to discuss it with someone before sifting through her thoughts alone, she responded. "I think it's a broad one. Our different opinions and viewpoints on it, are sure going to make interesting papers." Pondering that, she smiled. "Professor Collins will sure have a good time grading them."

Ashley smiled at that, as if it was something she could see happening too.

"What impact do you think our emotions have on general politics?" Her faced had now turned curious.

"A negative one." Everly didn't feel the need to spend much time deciding her stand on that. It was the side she had decided she'd go with on the spot, the moment she saw the assignment.

"As human beings or political scientists?" Ashley's curiosity seemed to grow.

"Both. As human beings, I don't think it matters much. Because we can vote all we want, even support certain campaigns or causes. But the sad truth remains that we are never truly behind the wheel as we're often led to believe when it comes to the whole politics game."

"True." Ashley nodded, deep in thought.

"But as a scientist, I say being an emotionally involved political leader can have a negative impact."

Ashley frowned at this. "Why?"

Turning thoughtful for the first time since their conversation started, Everly explained her views. "I guess my general view in democratic politics is that it requires less emotion and more reason for the system to be functional."

"Mmh." Ashley seemed to mull over that for a second before asking, "don't you think emotions can anchor behavior and attitudes though? Because that's where my mind is at."

"What do you mean?"

"My argument will be based on the fact that emotions can enable people to steadfastly remain true to their most deeply held values and attitudes. Or even help one understand why people in certain groups deviate from their characteristic dispositions."

"True. And it's undeniable that approaching it from that angle is brilliant Ash." She genuinely praised her, then a sly smile crept on her face before she countered. "But to that; one might easily believe that on the other hand, emotions are capable of stirring people up. Which can in turn cause them to abandon their habitual commitments. I mean, I do know that my sentiments are along those lines. I feel like treating emotion as an unavoidable factor in politics should be constrained and minimized, so that reason can dictate judgement with minimal distraction."

Ashley seemed to like this. "I get that. I think both sides of the argument carry heavy yet sensible perspectives that have long coexisted. And even though these perspectives seem difficult to reconcile, they do agree on the central importance of emotion in memory, evaluation, judgement and action."

Nodding at this,Everly said "I like that. In fact,it has given me something to think about when briefly 'acknowledging the opposing side'."

"You mean when discrediting my viewpoints?" Ashley arched an eyebrow,in mock seriousness.

"Easy, with the emotions there." Everly said and they both erupted with laughter.

Ashley's phone beeped.

"Is everything okay?" Everly asked concerned, when she saw her frowning at the phone.

"Yeah. I just got a text from Liam, reminding me about some party at Cassandra's tomorrow night."

"He really is on a mission." Everly said chuckling to herself, as she remembered her similar encounter with him earlier in the day.

By the time she parted ways with Ashley, she felt excited about their successful brainstorming session. Ashley has always been that kind of friend to her- a breath of fresh air. She didn't have a close friendship with her, at least it didn't come close to what she had with Jasmine. But she always knew that in her she had someone she could do thought exercises with, or even someone to challenge her way of thinking. They did,after all, share the same passion for politics.

Deciding she'd get started on the assignment right away, she left campus and headed to the coffee shop.

Upon ordering an iced tea, she found her usual spot empty and settled there.

Retrieving her laptop,she set to work. Her earlier conversation with Ashley proved to be a portal to even more fascinating ideas. Feeling inspired,she typed away.

Her stance on the subject hadn't changed. She still believed with every fiber of her being that employment of emotions could be a hindrance in a lot of ways. Because it could easily lead to one doing something out of the ordinary, or even acting out due to some provocative stimulus.

But as soon as she typed this, her thoughts started racing.

Was she applying the same concept in her life? Was she avoiding Michael because she didn't want to deal with the emotions that the conversation would sure uncover? Was she perhaps, emotionally blocked or totally unavailable? And most importantly, how long had she lived by this belief system?

Sipping her tea absentmindedly, she desperately wished someone would magically appear to give her answers. Especially because having these questions spinning in her head was starting to bother her.

The idea of Michael crossing her mind at a total random moment like this added fuel to the fire. Because she was supposed to be doing her damn assignment for christ' sake, not trying to decipher or question her entire life's meaning-she mentally chastised herself. When the frustration flared, she knew that there was no coming back from that. It was time to gather her things and call it a day.

As she was about sling her backpack over her shoulder, Michael called. Not only had he permanently seemed to have moved into her mind, but it's like he could now sense her too. Or was he keeping tabs on her? Her paranoia made her look around the small shop. But he definitely wasn't there.

Bag on her shoulder,and iced tea in hand, she headed home.

When her cell phone rang again, it was Jasmine.

"Are you home?" She asked as soon as she picked up.

"Yeah, what's going on?"

"Get dressed, we're going to get food." She announced in a singsong voice.

She began to protest "But-"

"No,buts."

"Can we order in instead? I don't feel like crowded places." Everly whined.

"Nah. I'm afraid we can't do that. And this spot won't be crowded, trust me. Besides, you can't spend the rest of your life indoors just because you're going through a breakup."

"It's not that, I just-"

"I'll be there in ten." She cut her off mid sentence and hung up.

True to her word,she shortly showed up at her door.

"You're not dressed." She studied her, eyes wandering up and down her body.

Looking down at her cropped t-shirt and shorts, she told her "I was about to change,but decided against it."

Jasmine was now frowning, "Why?"

"Well, I decided to wait for you." Jasmine wasn't big on punctuality. In fact, she was the kind of person that says they're a few minutes away, when they haven't even left the house. So after the call,she continued lounging on the couch thinking that she still had more than enough time.

"And now that you're here, you can come help me decide what to wear to this thing of yours." She led the way to the closet area of her bedroom.

Lifting two hangers indecisively, she asked "So,jeans or skirt?"

She thought both were nice, but she checked because she didn't know what Jasmine had in mind.

"Neither." She said point-blank.

"Now step aside, and let me do my magic."

As instructed, Everly sat on the bed and watched her rummage through her small closet.

Until she found what she had been apparently looking for.

"Now this is the dress that was made for tonight." She now held a dress; which was made of silky black material, it was strapless and sleek- falling just above her knees.

Although it had a slight flair at the hemline,the rest of it looked like it would definitely manage some serious clinging action. Super sexy. Maybe even challenge-her-'it's complicated-relationship-status kind of sexy.

She's always liked her mirror reflection every time she wore it. Maybe it was egotistical, but she knew she looked good. She wore C-Cup and had a body much coveted in a world where most girls strived to be supermodel slim.

Seeing her secret smile as she sat in front of the dresser to lightly apply makeup, Jasmine asked "Feeling good?"

"Better than good."

"Good. Because that's the dress that can change the world. Even better if it has started with your mood." Jasmine joked.

"Or the one that probably started religions." Everly lightheartedly joined in on their playful chatter.

"Yes!" Exclaimed Jasmine, seeing her friend's mood improve seemed to be making her happy and satisfied with her efforts. "And tonight all knees will fall and call you Queen!" She said comically as they left the apartment.

"So, where are we going?" Everly asked as soon as they boarded a Lyft.

"Always impatient."

Hearing her say that sadly reminded her of Michael. For the first time in what seemed like forever,she felt like she missed him. Which made her heart ache for what they had.

"There's a new Thai spot that recently opened. And I want us to check it out."

"You're a good one." She felt grateful. Not for just her friendship and presence. But for always going out of her way to check on her, cheer her up, force her out of the house and for even making sure she's fed.

"I know." That was Jasmine,being Jasmine. Everly rolled her eyes at that,but went ahead and leaned into the comfort of her shoulder. Maybe things would get better after all, she thought dreamily.