Hopelessly Romantic

Part 5

You realized Hitch didn't mean a traditional party the moment the lab entered your sight. It was only the afternoon, maybe a bit later, and you weren't in the mood ever since your eyes met hers, and nothing happened, just like when you were kids. There's anger in you from that, but you shove it aside. She was popular, so it was just another confession to her... Right?

"Professor Hange!" You see that brunette with the messy bun again, their glasses stuck on top of their head as they pull back from a microscope. Standing straight, they wave their hand before walking over. "Hitch, it's nice to see you!" You can see how they'd get along, their personalities clashing in the best way. "Nice to see you again, too, professor. I was actually here to introduce my underclassmen." She steps aside from the sliding door, the four of you now standing front and center for them to pick you apart. Their eyes squint, and they pat the pockets of their lab coat, chuckling lightly as they pick up and put on the glasses once on their head. "Well, you all don't look like freshmen, though, no one looks their age anymore in this society." They clasp their hands together. "Any science-themed majors?" They look around and no one raises their hands. They kiss their teeth, looking over at Hitch. "At least you're going into something with science." She hums, looking over at Annie.

It feels weird that your heart thumps for the blonde who is finally being sought. She's never come to you with any of her romance problems, but that's because she never had any. However, when you read romance books and squealed when slow burn finally stopped burning, she would listen intently, never open to reading your long books yet willing to hear you gush about what life you'd like to have in high school. You only got a rejection, though. "Well, maybe you could show us some of the party stuff." They smile, gesturing over to their microscope. "Sadly, not too much of a party tonight. I'm inspecting a batch of bacteria for tomorrow." She hums, intently staring at the microscope. "Gods, I miss your classes." They chuckle. "You can always come and observe in your free time."

You notice the longing in her eyes. Maybe it wasn't just you and the blonde feeling these emotions that you never thought possible. The want to go back, to have those memories you swore only produced dopamine. "I'll most likely take you up on your offer. Classes are slow this semester and you never cease to amaze me." They smile at the compliment, smacking her on the shoulder. "Thank you, but I think you all should head to lunch soon. I heard there's this café that just opened. A must try, my coworker said."

And that's where you ended up, your upperclassman , Hitch keeps reiterating, paying for all the sweets you wanted. You obviously got the free water though. You didn't want to be that much of a financial burden to her- mainly because you wanted her to buy you more in the future. Your future with these friends. These really good friends. "I just don't see the point in calling you that." Reiner nods along with your words, off in his own world with the brunette beside him. "You aren't even that much older than us-" "Watch it. I have more statusussy and power-" "Did you just say, 'status- ussy '," you repeat slowly, watching her nod while sipping from her hot coffee- Even though it's hot out. "Wow, I think that strips your title away infinitely."

Some chuckles sound, and you feel like this was the life you were meant to have, even if it's only been a couple of hours permanently at this college. This new life without your old one. "Okay, okay, I accidentally said that. Moving on, tell me what everyone thinks of college so far." Reiner answers first, "It's got a lot of classes and non-necessities." You nod at his words. "Yeah, we don't need that many things- At least not me. I saw fifty different types of burgers and it just seemed excessive." Hitch snickers. "C'mon, if we have money, we should spend it well. And the fifty shades of burgers are fuel for all the classes; stress, honestly." She sips from her hot coffee again, nodding to Bertolt. "What about you, shy man, what do you think?"