F'N FABULOUS (Completed)

Followed

"Great job today Jessie." Jake said when she approached. He handed her a key and a map. "Here are directions to the storage area from the IT dept. I have Mitch here who can take you to the IT dept so a laptop can be issued to you for this project. He can also show you how to log into the school's network and the Art directory where you can save the inventory." He turned to Mitch who was silently waiting. "When is your next class?"

"An hour." His voice soft, but firm and succinct.

Jessie nodded to Jake who turned to another student.

Mitch brought his 1990s silver Camry around and he drove in silence to the IT department which was across the other end of the campus. His only interruption was to point towards where the storage area was in reference to the IT department.

The IT section was a smaller building with big AC units. As they walked through the main room she noticed other rooms with walls of computers in various disarray. The final room in the back was closed, but Jessie noticed the "Authorized Access Only" placard on it. The main room was empty except for two occupants. A small long-haired brunette with feminine features and big brown doe eyes, Mitch called Adam. He didn't speak while she was there.

The other was a larger brutish male, named Earl. He stank of over cooked barbeque and decaying flesh. Earl looked like a walking advertisement for Skoal in his ripped jeans with the signature ring in the back-left pocket and greasy shirt he was currently wiping his hands on before sticking it out to shake Jessie's. He smiled at Jessie and held her hand for long enough before Jessie pulled it away. Shockingly, his voice while twanged with a southern accent, he also spoke quickly explaining the rules to signing out the laptop.

Earl gave Jessie the sign on credentials she would need and made sure to stand just a bit too close for her comfort when handing over the laptop. She tried not to gag or grimace smelling the chewing tobacco mixed with what was probably his lunch.

Before leaving, Mitch walked her through the university's intranet, how to log in to the network, and where to find the Art Dept folder on the network. He also explained the school's wifi and how to find the school's directories. By the end of his quick tutorial, she felt pretty confident she could find what she needed. He left her shortly thereafter.

The storage area wasn't too far from the IT department, so she decided to walk something that she began to regret when the student's petered out and the school campus became a ghost town. After passing between two buildings, she faltered when she noticed an echo crunch from someone else behind her.

Should she look back?

Would they get offended if she did?

What if its someone going to attack her?

She should look... just in case.

Where was she?

Where was the storage?

Jessie had to go across the field in front of her and there would be a row of single car garage storage units. Just behind the two buildings she passed was a shed, she made a last-minute decision to swing around in a circle, so she could nonchalantly look behind without making it obvious. No one was there. Weird. She could have sworn she hear someone behind her.

Whatever.

The sun was hiding behind Simpson style puffy clouds. A slight breeze made her shiver slightly and her nipples perk up. She wrapped her arms around to cover herself. Her breath leveled out as she enjoyed her brisk walk feeling much more confident that she could face whatever inventory was needed.

Hours slipped by as she assessed what was needed. She began the slow process of taking pictures and trying to describe what things could be. Before she knew it, her phone was vibrating.

JAKE: I'm finished up here for the day. If you are still on campus, I could pick you up.

Looking at her watch, she couldn't believe it was almost six.

JESSIE: Yes please.

JESSIE: I'm in unit 16.

JAKE: *thumb's up emoji*

By the time she packed everything up in organized chaos, Jake pulled up in a brown classic station wagon with fake wooden panels in the doors. The drive to the apartment was another awkward silence. She also kept the windows down. No one wants to smell anyone after working in dust and dirt and sweat. She could smell herself even with the extra strength deodorant so there is no way he couldn't either, but he didn't mention it.

When they got back into the apartment, sweet and spicy Indian curry wafted to Jessie and Jake as soon as the door opened.

Derek smiled. "Right on time. Hope you like Indian."

"Love it." Jake said grinning back.

Derek rolled his eyes, obviously not the person he was speaking to.

Jessie nodded. "I'm going to take a quick shower."

He looked at his watch. "That's perfect. The Na'an should be done in like 15."

"Bro... you even made some na'an? You won't even make that for me on my birthday. Not cool." Jake said smiling. He tried to open the oven door, but Derek slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch. Go sit on the couch until I tell you its ready. Better yet, go set the table so she doesn't think we are animals." Derek pushed his friend toward the cabinet that held the plates. Jessie chuckled at bit at the two of them as she made her way to go get cleaned up.