Page 2 of Kalix
LAINEY
I adjust my beanie over my ears as I walk down the sidewalk toward the coffee shop on the corner. Tomorrow is the first day of fall semester at Blackstone and I still need to get my book for chemistry class. First, though, I need a large hazelnut latte with an extra shot of espresso.
The Dark Roast is a cozy little coffee shop with wooden table tops and comfy green chairs you sink into. The dark maroon walls and black-and-white floor makes me feel like I’m at home.
“The usual?” Mandy asks as I approach the counter.
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Yes, please.”
“Coming right up.”
Not even five minutes later, my coffee is ready, and I’m on my way to the campus store.
This is my third semester at Blackstone University of Riley. I am working towards a degree in psychology. I’ve always been fascinated with how the human mind works, so I decided that’s what I wanted to do with my life: become a psychologist.
I go to open the door when I hear, “Lainey! Wait up!” I look over my shoulder to find Lexie jogging toward me.
So much for a quick trip.
I hold the door open for her and we walk inside, out of the cool weather.
“Hey, Lexie.”
She smiles brightly, her red-blonde hair sparkling in the sun. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you all summer break.”
“I’ve been good. I visited my family, caught up on some reading, and finished some more commissions,” I say as I adjust my glasses and scan the aisle signs.
“Oh that sounds like fun!” She follows as I make my way to Aisle B.
“Yeah, it was nice.” I mutter, running my fingers over the spines of the textbooks until I find what I’m looking for and pull it off the shelf.
“Hey. So, I’m going out with a couple of friends to Rudy’s on Saturday night. You should totally come with us! We’re just going for a few drinks.” She wrings her hands nervously.
I don’t have any friends at school. I tend to keep to myself and try to stay invisible so that I can focus on my studies.
I’ve always been an A+ student, and I feel like if I get too involved with other people, I won’t perform at my best. Lexie is the closest to what I consider a friend.
We’ve shared a few classes together, she has always been nice, and we’ve helped each other study.
She has tried to get me to go out with her several times, but I always come up with some excuse.
“It’s the first week of school, and I’ll probably be swamped with notes and studying. Maybe another time.” I give her a flat smile.
She responds with a puppy dog pout. “Pleeeaseee, Lainey? It’s just one night for a few hours. I’ll even come over the next day to help you study. You deserve to have a little fun every once in a while. You work so hard.”
I sigh. “I promise I’ll go with you some other time. Just give me a few weeks to settle in.”
She smiles politely. “Okay, I’ll take it!” She claps her hands like a giddy teenager.
I smile back and hold up my textbook, signaling I need to go pay. “Alright, I’ll catch you later.”
“Okay, I’ll text you,” she agrees before she scurries out the door.
I’ll give her the one night out, but that’s it. I can’t afford any distractions, not if I can help it.