The Elevator Man

Part 2: Loren

Chapter 1: Psychology

Ten years earlier...

A Monday morning alarm started yet another long day of boring college classes. Josephine studied journalism at the University of Auberlin City. With just over 70,000 undergraduate students, UofA was one of the largest schools in the country. It was its very own miniature city.

Josephine groaned as her eyes slowly blinked open, and she sat up on her twin sized bed, feeling dizzy. Her phone continued to buzz and vibrate as she reached over to shut it off, "7 a.m."

She sat still at the edge of her bed looking over to the lump of hair bundled atop her sleeping roommate's pillow. The alarm hadn't woken her, and Josephine was relieved.

There was approximately 45 minutes left to get ready for her 8 a.m. psychology course with Dr. Felcha, a course she loved but also dreaded. Standing up to her feet, Josephine stretched and yawned quietly as she pondered what she'd wear for class.

Opening her closet door, she searched for something comfortable, warm, and attractive. Her hands brushed through the shirts until they stopped on a soft pink long-sleeve. She caressed the fabric gently then removed it from the closet, placing it down on her bed.

Josephine gathered the rest of her clothes from a drawer including a comfortable pair of black leggings. She also grabbed a red toothbrush and toothpaste. She then undressed, covered herself in a towel, and left out the door, making sure to close it lightly to not disturb her sleeping roommate.

She entered the hallway with the dread of psychology weighing on her mind. On the way to the showers, another resident met her path.

"Morning, Josi!" The short blonde-haired girl greeted with an exuberant smile. She had a slightly chubby body that really emphasized her curves in certain areas.

Coffee in hand, she marched with pep in every step. Stamping the ground like she was experiencing happiness for the very first time.

"Good morning, Merideth! Don't you just look happy to be alive?" Josephine responded, trying but failing to match her energy.

"Oh! Aren't I always?" She stopped, looking up to Josephine with wide eyes. "Hey, you're going to my party next month, right?"

"Of course, I am!" Josephine's face lit up. 'Party' was a key word for her that always triggered excitement. "I wouldn't miss your party for anything!"

"Good!" Merideth reached over and hugged Josephine tightly. "Try to see if Kairus will come, yeah? We need to get him drunk for once!"

Josephine hesitated and scratched her short brown hair. "You know Kairus doesn't drink. I wouldn't really want to pressure him."

"Well, I think he should live a little." Merideth released Josephine from her hug and looked directly into her eyes. "I'm sure he'll open up to it if you ask him to!"

"Yeah, maybe. We'll see, Mer. I gotta take my shower and get to psych. We'll talk later." She smiled again and began to dismiss herself.

"Alright, Josi. We'll talk later. Have a good class. Mwah!" Merideth blew Josephine a kiss as she began to walk down the hallway away from her.

Josephine returned the kiss and said goodbye as she continued to her shower. She thought about the upcoming party and Kairus as she removed her towel and turned on the hot water. She climbed into the shower and pondered her day and the rest of the week. There was homework due today and Wednesday and an advanced communications test on Friday.

As the warm soap and water rushed down her body, her mind wandered to Kairus. She was worried about inviting him to the party because she didn't want to pressure him. They were very close, and Josephine did not want to ruin that.