Chapter 1 Plan
- Julianna
- I wanted to live in a student apartment and be independent like my friends from high school.
- Most of my high school friends wanted to leave Rhode Island, but I preferred to stay. Why move 100 miles when I got into a great school nearby?
- I felt sad and alone because it seemed like a bad decision. I was in my room while my friends were at a party. I saved money, but I couldn't afford to live alone, and none of my friends were looking for places. Everyone I knew at school was closer to others, leaving me by myself.
- When the bus called my stop, I felt better. I got up and waited at the door. I looked around campus. Still calm. Only summer researchers and students were there.
- Today, I just had a tote bag because I didn't have school or work. I met an old friend for coffee. I wore a tank top and shorts. I didn't look extraordinary, but I took more time to get ready than usual for campus.
- I walked to "The Grind," the campus coffee shop near the arts center, in a cute building. I checked the blackboard for specials inside.
- I wasn't very social. I was shy with strangers and too excited with friends. I often had to change my demeanor depending on the situation.
- "Hey, what can I get for you?" The woman behind the counter asked, and her lip piercing caught my eye, briefly distracting me.
- "Um, could I have an iced latte, medium size?" I asked quietly while searching for my wallet in my bag.
- "How about regular milk?"
- "Please!" I shrugged and kept it light.
- "That'll be $6.20; do you have cash or a card?" She asked, and suddenly my heart raced. Almost $7 for an iced latte?
- "Please use my card." I sighed and took out my debit card. When I tapped it, it felt like it was crying. She gave me a receipt, and I waited for Carlo at a table.
- I hung my bag on the back of my chair and looked around for my phone. When it buzzed to let me know I had a text, I unlocked it to read it.
- CARLO [11:01 AM]
- "Running late, see you in five"
- It's 1:06 PM now, so he should be here soon.
- "Julianna-banana!" I heard Carlo's large frame approaching, and I saw him too. I got up and gave him a quick hug because I was happy to see him again. He was the only one who ever called me that.
- "Hi Carlo." I smiled at him, and he smiled back. He had changed his hairstyle and ditched his mustache, which was a good move. He used to say it attracted the ladies, and he wasn't wrong. Girls did seem to follow him around.
- "You look good, what's new?" He asked, and I just shrugged.
- "Not much, grab some coffee, and we'll catch up." I gestured, and he smiled, heading to the counter.
- After a few minutes, he returned to the table with a large coffee mug. He sat down and took off his old flannel. "What did you order?" I asked.
- "Where's your usual black drip coffee?"
- "They're still serving it." I shrugged and looked up to see the barista struggling with the espresso machine. "No big deal, I just didn't want something hot."
- "It's definitely warm." He nodded and took a sip of his black coffee. "So, how have you been, and how was your co-op?"
- "It was pretty good, I learned a lot and all that." I shrugged.
- Carlo and I had both been busy, so I hadn't been keeping up with him as well as I should have. We weren't really close friends to begin with, and now we were barely in each other's lives at all.
- "They said I could start working in two weeks."
- "What?" I smile and ask, and he nods. "Wow, that's great! Congrats!"
- "It's cool that if you get this degree, you can find a job right away." He chuckles, and I chuckle too and roll my eyes. "I can't believe I finished high school, though."
- "I always forget we're not in the same year," I say with a shrug. "So, what's your plan?"
- "In a few days, I'm heading back to New York," he says, and my eyebrows shoot up. "Your timing was good when you tried to set up a hangout."
- "You're leaving!" I repeat, and he nods. "Wow, that's a big move!"
- "I know," he shrugs. "But I think I'm ready to go."
- "That's not your fault," I reassure him. The woman at the counter brings me my drink. I insert the straw and mix it with the ice. I'm not sad about it because it's true; Carlo and I were never really close, especially after our philosophy class ended.
- "What's up with you?" He changes the topic and asks, so I clear my throat.
- "Not much, you know me, pretty dull," I mutter. "I'm working on an honors thesis."
- "Wow, impressive," he nods as I mumble. "What's your thesis about?"
- "History, with a focus on the early modern period," I tell him, and he nods.
- I tried hard not to fit the stereotype of the typical Brown University student with random piercings, a rainbow wardrobe, and a hand constantly in the air. I was genuinely interested in my studies, and I kept a low profile.
- "What's your main point?" He asks, and I shrug.
- "My professor and I are still working on it, but it's about how sexism evolved over time in early civilizations."
- "That sounds like a lot," he shakes his head, leans back, and runs a hand through his sandy hair. "Do you still work at the Coleman pool?"
- I got a job as a lifeguard at the school's fitness center pool during my first year. I had my certification, so I decided to use it to get an on-campus job. I usually did it between classes, and most of the time, I just watched over the swimmers and took a few laps myself for fun.
- "Yeah, I got a raise last month," I say with a hint of pride, and he laughs.
- "Cool," he shrugs. "You look different."
- I try not to get too excited when he says that. I had shed some extra weight and felt better about my appearance. Also, my hair had grown since he last saw me, and I had a tan from the summer. Today, I had put in a bit more effort than my usual "homeless chic" style, which consisted of old jeans, warm sweaters, and worn-out sneakers. I had gotten a good night's sleep, applied simple makeup, and styled my hair.
- "I think my depression is finally fading, maybe because it's summer," I tease him, and he laughs. "You look different too, but every time I see you, you look different."
- "I know, my girlfriend didn't like the mustache, so I got rid of it," he says with a shrug.
- "Are you back with Kayla?" I ask, trying to remember the name of his previous girlfriend.
- "No, I've met someone new in Jersey," he confirms. Carlo was always a ladies' man at heart, with unconventional views on dating and relationships and a long list of phone numbers. He was the kind of guy I'd never consider dating, a bit of a red flag.
- "Her name's Emma, and I told her I had to come home first to take care of some things here."
- "What's she like?"
- "She's fun, nice, and tall," he says, and I roll my eyes at the last part. "How about you? Anyone special in your life?"
- I tell him, "Absolutely no one. I'm living with my parents, and their room is right next to mine. Plus, I don't have a car. Not ideal for dating."
- Honestly, I don't really mind whether I'm dating someone or not. It doesn't change much in my life because I'm too busy to date.
- "When was the last time you went out with someone?" He asks, and I raise my eyebrows.
- "I'm not sure."
- "You're still at your parents' place? Can't believe you haven't moved out, Julianna. It's been two years," he remarks.
- I reply, "I can't, really. Renting a place here on my own is too expensive, and I actually like being at home." I defend my choice by crossing my legs and leaning back in my chair.
- In truth, I enjoyed being at home. I loved my mom and dad, even my annoying little brother Jesse. I liked having home-cooked meals that I didn't have to prepare, playing Scrabble with my family, and watching The Great British Bake-Off with my mom. The only thing I didn't enjoy was going to work.
- "You've got to move out," he insists.
- Rolling my eyes, I respond, "No kidding, Carlo."
- I sigh and admit, "I know."
- But it's not that simple; it's just the bus.
- "The bus that takes you an hour to get to campus?" he challenges. "Look, Julianna, your backpack always looks like it weighs a ton, which means you're not getting enough sleep. I haven't seen you in months, but it's obvious that the end of the semester has done wonders for your mental health."
- "So, what should I do about it?" I ask. "All of that is true, but this is my reality. Nobody's looking for a roommate. I huff, lean back in my chair, grab my glass, and take a bitter sip of my drink.
- I'm not sure if I'm even adult enough for it. I never seem to have my life together, and I don't know if I could handle paying my bills.
- "Wait," he says with a peculiar look, pulling out his phone. "I've got an idea that could solve both our problems."