Page 28 of Easy Out

“Let me see. Where do I begin? He is making me read the entire textbook before the end of the week. He wants me to write a twenty-page research paper by next Friday. Don’t even get me started on the labs.” And this is why I’m not a chemistry major.

“You’re the only one who has to do this?"

“Well, no. It’s the whole class.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Lo, I’m being robbed. I’m being robbed of my time. My social life. My freedom.”

“You are also being a teeny bit dramatic. This is our last year. It’s not going to be easy. But hey, we’ll get through it together,“ I reassure her as I remove the taco casserole from the oven. “Let’s eat.”

“I am not the drama, Lauren.” Right. “I think I’m just freaking out. All the pressure is starting to get to me. After this year, we’re on our own.” Sydney piles two large scoops of food onto her plate.

“I get it. I’m trying not to think about internships right now, even though it is a major concern. Just take everything one day at a time.”

“I guess,” she says solemnly. “You should ask Hart about an internship. He could totally hook you up.”

“I’m not looking for a handout.”

“Lo, it wouldn’t be. He would just get your resume to the top of the stack.”

“I’ll think about it.” I pretend to savor a bite of my food. I don’t want Syd to see through my lies. I barely made it through the first meeting with Hart. I have no idea how I’m going to make it to the end of this assignment.

Hart had a one-word answer for everything. He acted like being at the library with me was the last place he wanted to be.

I swear he was mad at me the entire time we were in the library. Maybe he needs time to get comfortable. He did start to talk some toward the end.

My biggest problem is when he leaned in close. Make me talk brujita. The cadence of his voice and his delicious sandalwood scent took over my senses. Again. I couldn’t breathe. It was overwhelming and all-consuming.

“You’re flushed. What are you thinking about over there?”

“Nothing. The food is spicy.”

“It’s not that bad.” Thankfully she buys my story. I’m not ready to share the affect Hart has on my body.

“Oh! Are you going to be around this weekend? I was wondering if you had time to braid my hair. I want to do something like this.” Syd holds up her phone and shows me a picture of gorgeous box braids that would match her natural dark brown hair at the root and gradually flow into an ombre purple.

“Um…”

“I already have all the stuff.”

“I might be able to on Sunday or next weekend. I was going to go talk to Ray on Saturday and see if I can start working there.” Sydney won’t judge me, but I wait for it anyway. Everyone else has.

“You’re really going to work there?”

“Rumor has it the girls are making a couple hundred dollars a night. It will be worth it. I need to save up money for when I’m interning.”

Syd’s fork clanks on her plate. Her eyes go wide as saucers. She quickly chews and swallows down the food in her mouth so she can talk.

“Are you serious? That is a lot of money. I should get a job with you. We could work there together. How much fun would that be?”

“Do you know how to bartend?”

“No, but I can figure it out. If I can mix chemicals in a lab, I can do it in a bar. I could use the money too. It’s smart to save up. And I will feel better about you being at that bar if I’m there with you.”

“Nash will lose his mind.”

“Nash ain’t my daddy.”

---