Flashcards On The Wall

Chapter 8: Friend Talk and Invite

Tash and I meet Logan at the coffee shop where he works. We use his break to catch up.

"Rhoades is pure evil I tell you," Tash complains to Logan and me about one of her professors.

"I'm sure he isn't," I reply.

"Really! How is he allowed to teach?" Tash questions.

"He has the credentials," answers Logan.

"Who knows how he made it passed his interviews, all BS I bet," Tash insists.

"Maybe someone put in a good word for him? It usually comes down to who you know," Logan explains.

"Stupid nepotism," responds Tash.

"Surely you can make to the end of the semester. You're almost done," I assure her.

"We're barely half way," says Logan.

"So? She can do it," I reply, "We'll help."

"Some people hate the world, I get that, but do we really have to hear about every single little thing that annoys him? Or how little he thinks of our generation? I mean if you hate people younger than you why would you become a professor? At that point just teach night school you know?" Tash concludes.

"Not all students in night school are older, you know that right?" I ask Tash.

"He'll have better odds. Whereas here he obviously deals with twenty-year olds he apparently hates. Then there's his kid. Can he be more obsessed? We get it. You made a human. The whole world gets it. Why do you think we're overpopulated?" Tash continues.

"He's a proud parent, some people are," I observe.

"Be proud on your own time, some of us are paying to be educated on topics other than his kid," Tash says.

"Man, you really hate him," I say.

"Did you hear Professor Galvis is moving?" Logan asks us, changing the subject all together.

"Isn't she like your unofficial mentor?" I ask.

"Yes. I literally felt like I had the wind knocked out me when she told me," Logan replies.

"Was she offered another position?" Tash asks.

"No, she's going to Indiana. Who moves to Indiana? Tell me what is in Indiana?" Logan demands.

"Car racing," answers Tash.

"What do you know about car racing Tash?" Logan questions.

"I know I would date a racecar driver" she answers.

"And what would Sean say?" ask Lo.

"He doesn't get a say in my imaginary boyfriend," Tash explains.

"You sound crazy," Logan replies and turns to me, "Tell her Millie."

"Uh...I think it's healthy to have an imagination," I say.

"Since when?" Logan asks.

"Since Tash makes it looks like fun," I answer.

"I'm rubbing off on our Millie," Tash says, "Good luck when there's two of us Lo."

"Anyways," I interrupt them, "why the move for Galvis?"

"I think it's a family situation," answers Logan.

"That's too bad," I say.

"She's giving me amazing recommendation letters which I appreciate but obviously I rather keep learning from her," Logan explains.

"That sucks," I respond.

"Tell me about it," he replies.

Once Lo goes back to work and Tash leaves to meet for a group project I stay at our table in the coffee shop. I get my laptop and feeling a little in a creative mood, do some writing. To anyone passing by, or Logan who I see behind the counter, I'm working on a paper. What am I actually doing? Getting down the ideas I have. Some are on paper but need rewriting. Others are in my mind and need to be thought out. I started doing this a while back because it helps clear my head. I could work for hours without ever looking up from my screen. I catch Logan staring at me and I wave to him; he smiles and waves back. Then I notice it's gotten pretty busy in here. Students needs their caffeine fix.

"Mind if join you?" Trevor is standing a few feet to my right.

"Uh...sure," I reply.

"Hard to find a good spot to work isn't it?" he asks, "I prefer the tables against the wall, nobody bothers you there."

"Good tip," I say, "I like a back corner in the third floor of the library. It has the best view and very little traffic."

"Nice," he comments.

"I met some friends here and decided to stay," I say closing my computer.

"Don't let me interrupt," Trevor adds.

"You aren't," I lie, "I'm done," another lie.

"I'm glad I saw you, I was going to call but this works better," Trevor says.

"What works better?" I ask.

"I want you to come to a party with me," he says.

"Oh um...I don't think-" I start.

"Bring your friends. It'll be fun," he sounds very sure, "Think about it and I'll send you the address."

"Okay," I reply.