The steam of chicken fingers and french fries fresh out of the fryer rises from the plate that was just placed on the table. "Just because you're a child ed major doesn't mean you have to eat like a child", I say, picking up my burger to bite into it. Claire giggles, reaching over the table to grab ketchup. The wind whistles in the air, making Claire start to shiver.
"Of course you had to pick the restaurant with only outside dining available", Claire shakes her head. I groan and roll my eyes at the blonde, "Claire, I told you my clinical ran later than expected. I was stressed". Claire nods, crunching on a fry and watching the cars pass outside of the small restaurant.
Claire Dima, my best friend, and I had intersecting schedules on Fridays. Claire didn't have student teaching and my clinical's usually ended by lunch time. Obviously, this wasn't the case today. "Do you think you could spot me today? Uncle Rob isn't paying me until next week", I ask. Claire rolls her eyes but nods yes. The waiter walks out and approaches our table. "Did everything come out okay?"
We nod and Claire says, "Amazing, can we have the check whenever you get the chance?". The waiter nods, grabbing any dirty dishes on the table and walks back into the restaurant. "You know I have that anniversary party thing tomorrow so you and Melissa are all alone for dinner then", I take a sip of my water.
"Who's the party for again? Sorry, I've been having major brain fog today", Claire asks, picking up the final chicken tender. "Cara, I've told you about her before. Childhood best friend who I would see whenever I visited Rob from New York growing up. It's her and her husband's first wedding anniversary", I answer.
"Isn't Rob getting married soon? It really is the season of love", Claire smiles, scrolling through her phone. I shake my head and pick up my phone. My Uncle Rob is like my own father, he practically raised me when my father and mother couldn't. However, since he has started dating his now fiance, things changed. Rob met Meryl through a mutual friend, they actually went to high school together but never spoke. I do really want all the best for my uncle but I just feel like the whole relationship had been so rushed.
Claire looks at the scowl on my face and takes my hand. "Margaret, hey, it's going to be okay", she reassured. I nod and crack a little smile. The waiter came back with the check and Claire pays, leaving a tip in cash on the table. "Well, I have a biochemistry lab to finish so I'm gonna stop by the library to study", I hoist up my backpack from the ground.
"Alright, I'll see you back home", Claire embraces me, "love ya marg". I smile, "I love you too Claire". I then start my walk back in the direction of my university's library. I chose my nursing school, East Carolina University, in the mindset of not being in debt since I am an in-state resident. I've been living in Greenville since I was 15, when I moved in with my Uncle.
I put in my airpods in and shuffled one of my Daily Mixes on spotify, a Billy Joel song coming on. Almost nearing the end of the second semester of the last year of nursing school, my course load was a lot but nothing I couldn't handle. A buzz from my phone tells me I got a text from someone. It was Cara, confirming my rsvp for tomorrow and giving me the address of the restaurant. It's a gorgeous rooftop venue, with an open bar and live music. I text back that I will be there and put my phone back in one of my jean pockets.
I spent the rest of my walk to the library thinking about what I am going to wear to the party and how nervous I am for the event. Cara is a friend who I know will always be in her life and truly love dearly. However, I don't know a lot of her friends and have no idea who I will talk to at the function. But that was something I will figure out tomorrow. Now, I can see the big clock tower that was apart of the Joyner Library at ECU.
After scanning my student ID to open the door, I smile warmly at the librarian. I did the majority of my studying later in the day so I always see the same woman at the front desk. I make my way to the normal desk I sit at and place my bag down. I take out my macbook and type my password in.
This lab had been bugging me for the last few days so I put my headphones in and just decided to grind through it. Chemistry was definitely my least favorite branch of science, so a biochemistry lab was not my cup of tea. After about two hours of typing and partly googling, I finally submitted it and was satisfied with my work.
Before I left, I checked my email to see if any of my job applications had gone through. I currently was working at my Uncle's office but now that I was about to become an RN, I was hoping to work at a hospital on the Labor and Delivery floor. None of the employers had gotten back to me. So, I powered off my laptop and packed up my bag. As I left the library, I made sure to wave goodbye to the librarian.
The walk from the library to my house was a short one. My three best friends and I rent a house in the suburbs of Greenville, as it is in a great location for all of us. It's close to the nursing school for Melissa and I, so we can walk to class. The school where Claire student teaches at is in walking distance as well as the salon that Fiona works at. It's also just a really cozy home!
As I make my way down our street, I can see Fiona up against her boyfriends car making out with him. Fi had grown up in Greenville and got her cosmetology license the summer after her senior year of high school. Her aunt ran a salon in town and has worked there since her junior year. Her boyfriend, Timmy, and her had been together since their freshman year of high school.
"Get a room freaks!" I yell as I approach our yard. Both of them turn and Timmy throws up his middle finger. I laugh and make my way to our front door, unlocking it and letting myself in. I go into the house and into the kitchen, only to find Claire and Melissa making brownies. "Hey strangers", I say, making Claire jump.
"God Margaret, why do you always have to scare me", Claire makes a face at me. I laugh and open the fridge to grab a bottle of water. We hear the front door open and close, then Fiona walks in. "Do you still need me to do your hair tomorrow?" she asks, looking at me. I nod and then she turns her attenion to the oven.
"They should be ready any minute, Claire check if they are done", Melissa says. Claire puts an oven mit on and opens the oven, grabbing the heart shaped tin that Timmy gave Fi years ago. She sticks a toothpick in one of the hearts and pulls it out, only for it to be covered in batter. I check the time, telling me it's almost 10:30 at night. "I have work early tomorrow but you cuties enjoy your brownies", I say, snapping a pic of them all waiting around the oven and then going to my room.
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