Page 2 of Petite Fleur

The professor starts the lecture on the effects of global warming, what is causing it, what we as humans would need to do to stop it, and how much longer it is predicted our planet has if we continue down the path we are on.

Standard stuff.

I'm typing away so fast that my fingers cramp, but I can't stop. I don't even have time to fix my spelling mistakes, so I'm thankful the lecture is being recorded in case something I type ends up being absolute gibberish to me when I reread my notes.

The professor eventually moves on to the things that could be harming the ozone layer: the simple things that we use every day without any consideration for our planet.

"That is why aerosols, like Miss Henderson bathed herself in right outside my door, are killing this planet. Good job, Ms. Henderson." He announces, staring right at me.

I'm red as a tomato, I'm sure of it; this is humiliating.

As soon as this class is over, I'm throwing away every single item I own that comes in an aerosol.

I hide my face behind my screen, praying that nobody is staring at me, but, of course, fate couldn't be that kind to me. I hear some jerk in the front mutter something about me choosing beauty over having clean oxygen for his great-grandkids to breathe in.

So, maybe this semester won't be as great as I thought it would.

It's only the first day, and I'm already an inconsiderate planet killer in a class full of people who vow to save it.

Crap.

At least after class, I can eat, that'll brighten my mood. I loved the ladies in the cafeteria last year. They were the sweetest women who always did their best to look out for me.

I know I'm not easy; having celiac disease and being a vegan challenges anyone who's tasked with feeding me, but they're magnificent.

Last year was a bit of a mess when it came to cross-contamination. I'd skipped more meals than I would've liked because some jerk contaminated the whole area.

But I was told over the summer, they fired the woman who managed the dining hall and replaced her with someone much more strict.

I can tell, too. As soon as I walked in, I could see the difference from last year.

I'm also glad it isn't too crowded right now, I don't talk to many people and Carlie will still be in her first class by now. Sean is out of class, but I am guessing he’ll leave campus for lunch; he always does.

Not only am I broke, but I have the meal card, so there's no way I’m wasting it by not eating here as often as I possibly can.

I grab a tray and head right for the gluten-free area of the cafeteria, my little corner where everything is safe.

I grab a bit of the sheet pan vegetables and vegan, gluten-free sausage and drizzle the whole thing in balsamic vinegar before heading toward an empty table in the corner of the room.

It looks like they've done some research on celiac disease, and now they keep all of the silverware and trays separate from the regular section of the cafeteria.

Good, I can't afford to miss class if I eat something contaminated.

Heck, I can barely afford to be in class. Between financial aid and scholarships, my tuition still isn't covered. I still had to take out a student loan that was so hefty that I'll be paying it off until I'm dead. Maybe after that.

As I eat my lunch, I watch everyone around me from a safe distance. I watch as they converse, laugh, and live the life I'm envious of. I may be shy, but I get lonely in this life sometimes.

This solitude from being so socially awkward that I can't even hold a casual conversation for more than a few minutes sucks.

It's not like I don't have friends, I do. Not very many, but that's okay! It's not a bad thing to keep your circle small, right?

We don't have any classes together, and our lunch times don't generally align, so I'm left by myself more than I'd like.

It's okay. I'm sure we'll all end up occasionally meeting for dinner, as we have for the last two years.

I skip out on most of the dinners off campus to save myself money, but I do join them whenever everyone meets up in the dining hall after our last class.

Usually, they're on their way to the bar or some frat party, and I'm on the way home, but it gives me a little time with my friends before we part ways.

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