Gold Weaver

chapter v

Noah had finally settled herself into a routine, and it was nice. Super interesting? Not really. But it was nice nonetheless. Her room didn't have the best view, but she woke up to the sun shining through her window every morning. The shower didn't get super hot, but it was warm enough to be comfortable and refreshing. Which, in many ways, was nice. The island was hot and she didn't really need a super hot shower, anyway. And, of course, after her shower was a nice, simple breakfast of rice and eggs followed by a quick trip to the cafe for an iced coffee.

After that?

Work.

Again, not an entirely interesting schedule all things considered - but she loved it nonetheless. The city was beautiful, busy without being overwhelming and the sound of laughter blended beautifully with the calls of the tropical birds that soared over the skyline.

Campus mornings were getting busier, mainly since now the students were getting into routines of their own - or at least putting on a front that they were. Students bustled to and fro across the red square as they scrambled to their morning classes. Sure, morning classes weren't ideal but Noah liked them. When she was in undergrad, morning classes were a way to keep her on schedule for the mornings.

Now, they were a way to feel less like a TA and more like a 'real adult' with a 'real adult job.' At least until she graduated and had to sit in an office or lab for forty hours a week. Until then, she was in the grad student limbo alongside her peers. Peers like Erin.

Erin, too, had a schedule, and in that schedule they waited patiently outside their lecture hall, phone in hand, as they waited for their class to start. Erin was painfully organized in a way Noah could only dream of. They had everything ready ten to fifteen minutes before it was needed, and typically spent that excess time enjoying some well-needed relaxation. "Good morning!" Erin flashed an award-winning smile at Noah, quickly sliding their phone into their back pocket. "How was your weekend?"

"It was pretty good, how was yours?"

"Eh, nothing to report," Erin shrugged. "So, no news? Nothing discovered in the city yet?"

Over the past few days Erin had been Noah's biggest cheerleader when it came to exploring the city. They were one of the few locals in the area - not a native Vasanoan, but their family had been in the area for about 3 or 4 generations so about as local as you could get. Due to Erin's responsibilities they weren't able to be much of a tour guide, but that didn't stop them from offering new suggestions to Noah anytime they met up. And their suggestions were always a hit.

"Well, I did get asked out on a date so I might be finally trying out a Vasanoan restaurant," Noah offered a sly smile, knowing this was the exact kind of tea Erin was looking for.

"Ooooh," Erin teased, "well pardon me, madame. Who's the lucky person?"

"Her name is Jade Casimir," Noah said. "I met them at a cafe not far from where I live. They're really nice."

"Casimir." Erin repeated. "Like that rich family that just moved into the area?"

"I think so, at least it seems like it."

For a moment Noah thought she could see Erin's face twist into a flash of concern, before disappearing into their trademark mischievous glint. "Well, I guess that means you have a sugarmama now," they teased.

"Very funny," Noah rolled her eyes, but she could feel the oncoming of a blush as she realized exactly what people would think any potential relationship between her and Jade would look like.

"I'm just teasing you," Erin chuckled. Before Noah could respond, the sound of tired footsteps began to fill the lecture hall. "Welp, there's our cue. See you after class?"