Life in the Fast Lane

Chapter Six

Returning to school proved to be difficult for Liv. After an amazing weekend of races, and meeting Lando, Liv didn't want to have to go back into the real world. Midterms would be coming up soon, shortly followed by finals, and finally, Christmas break. University was strange, one week you're concentrating on midterms and assignments, the next you're preparing for your final exams. It was a change from what high school was like.

As she sat in her afternoon class, she couldn't help but let her mind wander to Lando, and their two brief encounters. She still couldn't believe she had met him, and Jane still was in disbelief. She had probably told her the story what seemed like a million times over, but she didn't care, and Jane didn't seem to mind.

"Now, I know this is a way away, but you all might want to consider this summer getting a job or an internship" the professor spoke softly. It was toward the end of the class, and everyone was happily getting their books and supplies packed up as she spoke. "Think of getting yourselves into the Co-op program if you can, you'll find it greatly beneficial, especially for some of the classes you'll have coming up in your second and third years." Liv had known about the Co-op program, but she wasn't sure if she would be able to find a job or internship that she would enjoy, and that would relate to her degree. She knew she would love to find one; something to do during the summer, or a way to earn some extra money to help towards her degree.

"Don't forget- your essays are due next Friday. There won't be any extensions, and you've been given plenty of time to have me vet your topics. If anyone needs anything, my office hours will be extended today and tomorrow, so don't hesitate to come and see me. I'll see you next time" the professor rattled off, looking at every student with an eye of concern. Her face matched her words; there wouldn't be any extensions given, regardless of the circumstance. They had known about this essay since the beginning of the school year. Liv wasn't too worried; she had hers started a month ago, and had almost finished when she was in Germany, and couldn't sleep.

Walking to the café on campus, she pulled out her phone and shot Jane a text, giving her order so when she got there, it would be ready for her, the perfect temperature. It didn't take her long to walk from the classroom to the café, and she wasn't disappointed when she saw her usual order on the table.

"Midterms are going to be the death of me" Jane sighed, just as Liv took a seat in front of her coffee. Jane looked stressed; more so than she usually did. For reasons that Liv could never understand, Jane insisted on taking eight classes per semester instead of six or seven.

"No, you putting too much pressure on yourself is going to be the death of you" Liv replied sternly, and even Jane couldn't disagree with that. "Take a break, drink a coffee, relax a little" she insisted, gesturing to Jane's books and notes that lay across the table. Jane sighed. She was clearly having an internal battle with herself. She closed her eyes, let out another sigh, before opening them again, closing the notebook in front of her and pushing it to the side. "There ya go" Liv said with a grin, to which Jane simply rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I'll take a little break" she huffed, eyeing the menu behind the counter. "But if I'm taking a break, I might as well enjoy it..." she trailed off, clearing deciding which dessert it was she was going to pick.

"You can't go wrong with their brownies" Liv pointed out. If there was one thing she loved most about this little café, it was their brownies. She came here so often, that most of the staff knew who she was. After all, most of them were students from campus. They'd often heat up the brownie and drizzle a little caramel over the top of it. "And now I want one too" Liv spoke up, drooling at the very thought of having one.

"Oh, how thoughtful of you to treat me to a brownie" Jane said with a wink, her eyes looking down at Liv's coffee. Rolling her eyes, Liv got up from her seat to get the pair the delicious brownie she so craved suddenly.

"Fine. You're lucky I like you" Liv teased, making her way up to the counter. Upon coming to school here, Liv couldn't have asked for a better first few months at school. She had an amazing roommate, a great boyfriend, she was doing well in her classes, and she got to experience the weekend of a lifetime, even meeting Lando Norris. Was it possible that things were too good to be true? As if on cue, like the universe was listening to her thoughts, she got the dreaded text no person even wants to get from their significant other.

Jake 13:14p.m.

Hey, can we talk tonight?

Liv 13:15p.m.

Sure, when, and where?

Jake 13:15p.m.

Your place, 6pm?

Liv 13:16p.m

See you then.

Just as she was finishing her response to Jake, the brownies were ready. She shoved her phone in her pocket quickly, faking a smile to the barista before taking the two brownie plates to Jane. She didn't even have the chance to open her mouth before Jane could tell something was off with her.

"Uh-oh. That didn't look good" Jane commented as she passed her the brownie, unable to fully concentrate on what was in front of her. Asking if "we can talk" usually was never good news; it always seemed to end in a breakup.

"He wants to talk tonight" Liv mumbled, feeling saddened. Though they hadn't been dating long, Jake was at the very least great company, and one of Liv's best friends; she wasn't ready to lose him, or the genuine bond they had formed.

"That doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing!" Jane tried to reason, though in her mind she thought the same as Liv; this wasn't going to be a fun conversation.