Plain Jane (Preview)

Chapter 3

The school appeared over the hill once more, and before she knew it, Jane was pulling into the parking lot to her reserved spot. The smell of the pizza beside her was intoxicating. It didn't help that she stopped at the convenience store to buy some gummy candies and slushes for the evening. It was the last stop she needed to make before she found her way back. Jane's mouth was watering while she sat in the car. Throwing the gear shift into park, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and turned it on to the ongoing text conversation she had with Sarah. Typing a simple I'm back, hands are full, come help. Jane fired off the message and waited patiently in the car. Sipping on the slush she had gotten for herself, Sarah emerged from the building wearing her neon pink hoodie and ran to the car. Smiling from the confines of the vehicle, Jane waited until she was close enough before getting out to greet her.

"What do you need me to take?" Sarah asked, her words rushing from her body as the rain continued to pelt them.

"If you can take the candy and the slush I got you, I think we should be good," Jane instructed before Sarah crawled into the car to get the things. On the opposite side of the car, Jane could hear Sarah's stomach growl, likely from smelling the food.

"I can't wait; I've been waiting forever for you. What happened?" Sarah asked, while finally having her half of the share and closing the passenger side door while Jane removed the pizzas from the vehicle.

"Traffic was pretty bad. A lot of people were going slow in this weather." Jane answered while lying through her teeth.

"Oh well, I'm glad you're okay. I wouldn't want to try and find another roommate for next year after these last three years with you." Sarah said, smiling back at Jane. The gesture warmed Jane's heart as she followed Sarah to the dormitory entrance.

Getting to the doors first, Sarah held them open for Jane as she walked in and knee'd the wheelchair access button, causing the second set of doors to automatically swing open. The common area of the dorms was empty now; the only thing remaining was the scraps of the aftermath left behind. It was calm, and that was what Jane really needed as she and Sarah arrived at the elevators again. Sarah pressed the buttons as Jane merely followed. As much of a lone wolf as she claimed to be, she didn't mind letting her guard down around Sarah. Jane had never seen an ounce of hate from her. She was a literal angel or the closest thing that Jane could ever come to meeting one.

After a few minutes of pointless chit-chat and quiet pauses, the girls found themselves back in their dorm room. Jane placed the pizzas down on their small wooden table, placing one pizza down on one side and the other opposite the first. Then they washed their hands, as Sarah always insisted. Jane didn't have a problem with that request today since she wasn't sure what could be on hers from the incident earlier. She was trying to put that at the back of her mind while she washed up, then grabbed some paper towels for the both of them before finally returning to the pizza boxes.

"Dig in, I guess," Jane said with content in her voice but with a slight smile. Sarah didn't wait; she took a couple slices of the veggie pizza while Jane took a few of the pepperoni.

"Thank you again for going out to get them, Jane. I'll get them next time, I promise." Sarah's words reminded Jane of the free pizza coupon that they had earned. She pulled out her wallet and then put the coupon on the table for Sarah to see.

"Well, the next ones are free; Heidi fast-tracked us a purchase," Jane mentioned before grabbing her slush drink before walking over to their small living space, which was conjoined with the kitchen area.

"That's awesome; those two are really sweet to us. I'll be sure to thank them when I go." Sarah replied before taking a seat beside Jane on the floor in front of their sofa.