Oh Father

Chapter I - Rainy Days

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE DAYS where all you ever wanted to do was curl up under the blankets with some hot chocolate and a good book. The sun outside wasn’t shining; instead, little rain droplets covered the window and danced merrily, leaving trails across the glass. The college campus, however, was a buzz. Classes wouldn’t be canceled, not even for the rain.

I, unfortunately, was one of those students who had to wake up and actually move around. With my alarm clock in my right ear and the hum of the pipes in my left, I found it impossible to turn over and ignore the sounds around me, however much I wanted to. Marie was taking a shower. She was my only roommate, and we shared the small, cozy apartment. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room was all that made up the inside of our home. I felt lucky. It wasn’t every day that you got the deal we had.

I hadn’t known Marie at the beginning of the year. The college had called me and said they had only one apartment left in my price range, and that another young lady - a freshman, they mentioned - was looking to rent it, and they asked us to share. We had complied. It was a good decision; I had met my best friend.

Groaning, I pulled the blankets higher over my head and slammed my hand on the snooze button. I didn’t want to know the time, nor did I care. I just wanted to sleep. Burying my head further into the pillows, I let the warmth pull me into a deeper lull, and closed my eyes merrily.

Of course, I was interrupted by a familiar slam of the bathroom door, and Marie’s voice echoed throughout the room. “You know, they delayed classes by an hour of start time, or more, if your professor isn’t there,” she said. “I heard traffic’s a bitch and that professors are having trouble getting here.”

“Not surprised,” I mumbled back, still hidden beneath the blanket. We were having one of the worst storms to ever cross our college town; we sat on the outside of Seattle, fairly close to UDub. I was still surprised how many kids attended at Cox University. It was the same quality of education, I supposed, but Cox was cheaper, and not to mention that the town by the same name was nice and comforting. Even now, I was still astounded at how many UDub kids lived here.

“You should still get up.” I heard the shuffle of drawers as Marie searched through my things. “Hey, Dem, you got any sweaters? It’s cold and I don’t have any. Just my rainboots, and I have no idea how well that’ll go over with my professors. Can you imagine Roman?” She imitated her professor in a high pitched voice. “Marie, can you puh-lease not get water everywhere? You’re making the job for the janitors harder. God, she is such a prick.”

With a chuckle, I shoved back the blankets to my bed and sat up, watching as Marie, in only two towels, went through my clothes. I raised an eyebrow. “Do you even know what prick means, Marie?”

She looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Yes, Little Miss English Major, I do.”

I fought off a smile. “If you say so.”

Marie huffed and shut the drawers, flouncing out of the room. I took the opportunity to take a shower and warm myself, before I blew my hair dry and threw it up in a reckless bun. Stepping back into my room, I yanked on a pair of jeans, a relatively ratty t-shirt, and a pair of cheapy, comfy boots. I pulled a sweater from the closet and let it swallow my body.

I peered out of my room and walked down the hallway, to where Marie was cooking in the kitchen. She typically made breakfast in the mornings. Ever the fashionista, her feet were adorned in flats, her legs covered in jeans, and a floral top paired with a thick jacket and a sweater sat atop of her body. I sighed.

“Marie, you don’t have to try so hard to impress people, you idiot,” I said, glancing at the omelet she was making. I sniffed. “Mmm. Smells good. Keep doing what you're doing. I still don’t know why you took up being a veterinarian instead of going into culinary. Seriously, are you crazy? This stuff is delicious.”