Patience

Chapter 2 - a Few Beers Short of a Six Pack

"Breakfast and Lunch?! Gosh am I a lucky girl today." Mia squeals in my ear as she flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder dramatically, so incredibly over the top it draws people's attention down the hall as we make our way to my first lecture of the day.

This is how we have always been, Mia; perky, loud and excited. Me; quiet, stubborn and problematic. She says we complement each other, even each other out but truth be told I'm not sure why she's stuck around all this time.

"It's the least I could do after you looked after Tommy last night and have no choice but do it again for me tonight. I swear my manager is a moron, who gives someone an eight hour shift the day before?" My manager, River, is only a few years older than me and takes pride in driving me up the wall. Don't get me wrong he's a pretty reasonable guy when he wants to be and knows enough about my situation not to springs things on me last minute but after he overheard some poorly chosen words spoken to a customer by yours truly, he was less than impressed. Sure, I could always tell him I can't come in but I need the job and really can't afford to turn shifts down.

"Well, if you had just kept your mouth shut you wouldn't have been hit with another shift this week." She reasons with me. Mia has been calling me out on my shit for the last seven years but has also been my absolute rock when shit hit the fan with my parents a few years ago.

"Yeah, yeah. You know I can't keep my mouth shut, anyway, thanks again. I owe you big time!" I say, blowing her a kiss as we reach my lecture hall and go our separate ways.

Stepping into the room, I can see that not even half the class has shown up yet, my new research partner included. Continuing on my way to my regular seat, I can see Danny already there waiting for me.

"Hey Big D, someone's early today." I smile as I pull out my things and set my coffee on the fold down desk.

"Sure, am Sage. I forgot to ask yesterday before you ran out of here, who your partner was." He says as he pulls out the last of his notes from yesterday's lecture.

My lack of response must be enough of an answer because he lifts his head to look me dead on, a small smile creeping along his thin lips, eyes unblinking as he says, "Nooo, are you kidding?"

"God, I wish." I say, a small laugh making it's way up my throat because karma really can be a bitch. "What part of pairing Hunter Keen and myself together seemed like a good idea to her? I know the paper is pretty straight forward but we can't agree on anything, ever."

"Well, Sage, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but you're going to have to put your big girl pants on and get it done. This is our second last assessment before work placement starts in six months. Then we are out of here, Sydney is a big place I'm sure you won't need to see him again after that." He smiles again, knowing he's right but that I'll never admit it to his face, my pride won't let me.

The rest of the students file in and at the back of the pack is Professor Morgan, no Hunter in sight.

"Alright guys, lets dive right in. So, I know I provided you with your partners and paper topics yesterday, but we do have a few things to cover before I let you get into it." Two hours later and Hunter still hasn't made an appearance as Professor Morgan comes to the end of her monologue. "Alright, that's all I've got for the day so you may use the remaining hour and a half to meet up with your partner and discuss your topic. I'll be at my desk doing some grading if you require my assistance."

***

Before I know it, everyone has started to pack away their things and head out the door. I shove my things in my bag and making my way down to the front of the room and out to the parking lot to meet Mia for lunch. As I approach my car, I can see her already leaning up again the hood, taking in the sunny humid day.