Slow Burn | HS

ring of fire

May 2017

There was a different kind of buzz in the air as Joelle made her way across campus. Cars were parked as closely to buildings as possible, people pushed carts that lugged out plastic bins full of clothes, shoes, and creature comforts. Students everywhere packed their bags, returned their room keys, and said goodbye to Boston College for the summer.

Joelle wasn't impressed.

She still had two more finals, one of which wasn't until the very last day of exams during the very last time slot. She would love to say that she was feeling as excited about the end of the semester as the rest of campus seemed to be, but it was hard to see past the two fat finals waiting for her to struggle through.

She'd woken up especially early that morning to run to the library and do a bit of studying before she was supposed to meet Mara and Mia for lunch. Mia and Jo had been so caught up in school that they'd hardly had any time to see each other. Jo was up early every morning to tackle the day before the sun had risen while Mia preferred to stay up as late as possible studying and writing papers before crashing. And with May being one of the best months for sales, Mara was up to her nose with showings of different houses and condos around the city.

And Harry was another story. She had been practically drowning in end of the semester work and barely had time to see him since they'd gotten back from her parents' house. The only real encounter they'd had was when Harry came to meet her at the hospital for lunch. But that didn't really count because Niall saw them together and decided to tag along and eat lunch with him.

Joelle pulls out her earbuds when she spots Mara at the hostess' counter getting them a table. She hums out the final bars ofTimshel that were cut off as she quickens her pace.

"Hey, baby," she says when she's close enough. "Come here often?"

Mara looks over her shoulder. "Jo!" she beamed, adjusting her bag on her shoulder before meeting her in an embrace. "It's been too long."

"It has," Joelle agrees. She eyes Mara's work outfit up and down. "You look great."

"Thanks! I had an important call with a... let's say an elite client."

"Lavish," Joelle considers.

Mara raises a sculpted brow. "I heard about the little trip back to your parents' home. Sounds like anyone is lavish, it's you." Joelle might have been a little taken aback if Mara's eyes weren't sparkling with mirth.

"I'm not sure I follow."

Mara crosses her arms and steps aside as a family leaves the restaurant. "Harry said you've got quite the estate back in Connecticut. And a summer home on the Cape?" She hums. "Remind me to hit you up if I ever have a free weekend in July."

"You're always welcome," Joelle tells her.

The staccato clicks of heels on concrete causes Joelle to turn around. She spots Mia dashing along the sidewalk, swerving in between businessmen and women, tourists, strollers, and the like. She holds a briefcase in one hand while the other keeps her wild curls out of her face.

"Sorry I'm late," she gasps as she approaches. "That Philosophy of Law final took longer than I expected."

Joelle eyes her business casual attire. "You went to your final dressed like that?" Joelle was lucky if she even wore her most stretchy pair of jeans to any of her finals.

"Not by choice," Mia responds. "I have an interview after this."

"An interview?"

"I'll tell you more once we're seated," she dismisses, gesturing to the hostess who returned with three menus tucked under her arm.