Social 180

Chapter 2: Catalyst

Saturday, August 31st, 2024

10:00 A.M.

Jason begins snapping his fingers in front of my face, like he did yesterday, saying, "Come on, wake up, Hurley!"

"Eh?" I mumble sleepily, processing the fact that I'm no longer at my parents' place and instead at a university dorm. This might take getting used to.

"Let's go ahead and get breakfast!"

I stutter, "O-okay."

I pull my fully-clothed self out of my blankets; blankets I'd brought from my car to my new room last night. I've yet to bring everything else in.

I head out of my new room and go into our shared bathroom for the first time, realizing none of my required toiletries were present. That's right, I realize. I intend to purchase new ones at the store later today, so I left the old ones at home.

I take off my clothes and rinse myself off in the shower (I'd wash with soap as well but I didn't have any). I take a piss and put on my fresh clothes. Now I'm set for the new day.

"You ready?" Jason asks with a hint of excitement.

"Yeah," I respond.

"Then let's go!"

I follow behind the quick, ready-to-eat Jason as we leave the room. He exclaims, "They've got omelets today! Bacon's in them, just like last night's pizza!"

"That sounds delicious," I say. "Omelets are, like, the best breakfast meal, wouldn't you agree?"

Brief silence ensues before Jason, with ever-increasing excitement, comes back to me to tug at my arm. Completely unaware of my question, he commands, "Then are you just gonna wait? Come on, hurry up!"

I'm not waiting. Becoming slightly frustrated but at the same time keeping composure, I say, "It's not like they're gonna run out soon."

When we reach the stairwell, Jason begins jogging down the stairs. I continue at my steady pace.

We touch base at the first floor and head straight for the cafeteria. In front of us is a direct, convenient entrance to the cafeteria. I look to the side and catch a glimpse of Lily beginning today's shift, making me recall something from last night. Jason told me he'd talked to her as soon as we got back from the pizza place, finding out she was single. He thinks I should shoot my shot as soon as possible.

After ten seconds of staring at the back that becomes increasingly beautiful each second, I think to myself, fuck it, I'll go ask her out now, and head toward her.

Jason realizes what I'm doing and whispers, whilst giving a thumbs up, "You got this!"

I walk toward the lobby desk, making my way around it to face Lily.

This is it, I replay in my mind.

Once she notices me, she smiles, saying, "Oh, hey, it's you."

"It is," I respond, brushing my hair back with my right hand.

She begins with a realization followed by a question: "I don't think you've told me your name yet, what is it now?"

"Hurley."

By the look of her expression, my response seems to have surprised her. "I-I'll keep that in mind," she says, an unusual stutter developing.

My regret for doing this begins to form. I start to want to back off, but at this point, I'm locked in on the conversation. "How's the job?" I ask.

Lily's voice continues to flutter. "It-it's all right so far, I... don't get tired of it."