Five Minutes

Chapter 1

I woke up to my alarm blaring in my ear, even through the pillow over my head. I pushed it off to silence my phone, checking the time to see:

6:00

I rubbed my eyes, groaning, before rolling myself out of bed.

It was August 15th, so I could still get away with sleeping with the windows open. Seattle air wouldn't start to get cold for at least another month.

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, throwing my hair up before jumping in. After I'd finished I got ready the same way I did every morning. Calming my curly hair, throwing on a little mascara and blush. I slipped on a matching set of panties and bra, then my jeans and dark red long sleeve, throwing a light jacket on over.

By then it was already seven, I had to be in class by eight. I was thankful I only had a fifteen minute drive. I packed the last few things in my bag and walked out into the kitchen.

My best friend, May, was sitting on the couch eating a bowl of cereal. When I applied to live here she reached out to me, letting me know she'd be my future roommate. When I arrived she had a whole welcome home ensemble set up, nearly jumping up and down in excitement once I walked through the door. We've been as close as sisters ever since.

Her black hair was thrown up in a jumbled bun, in her pajama pants and a tank top. Her smudged makeup suggested she was out late. Yet it never failed to make her green eyes look soft.

She was only slightly younger than me and often looked it. Her face still leaned on the baby fat side, her features like sharp chin and high cheekbones just barely starting to show.

"Late night?" I smiled.

"Sara took me to this concert that didn't start until midnight, ended at three in the fucking morning." she said as she finished chewing.

"So no work?" I asked, grabbing a yogurt and berries out of the fridge. Throwing them together in a bowl.

"Hell no. Was supposed to be slow today anyway."

I sat next to her as I started eating.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

"A little." I replied.

It was my first day back to school. I was attending Seattle University in my last two semesters to complete my doctorate degree in psychology. Thanks to my highschool for pushing us "above and beyond" I had an associates degree a semester after graduating highschool. Even with taking classes through the summer, I seemed to be far more ahead than most people my age.

I was in no rush to get married or have kids, let alone let someone get that close to me again. I loved being able to focus on what I actually wanted to do. To build my career.

May had always whined about how she wished she were in my position, so that she wouldn't have to go to school for as long. Yet I always joked that she was meant to end up with some rich guy anyways.

"Just first day jitters."

"You'll do great." she smiled. I kissed the top of her head before getting up and putting my bowl in the sink.

"How many today?" she asked.

"Just two." I smiled. Packing a few snacks in my bag.

"I'll order us dinner tonight, to celebrate." she said.

"Deal." I smiled, grabbing my phone and keys off the table before throwing on my converse.

"Love you!" I said as I shut the door and locked it.