Friends Don't, But We Do

20. Houston, I Have So Many Problems

My next week at work is slow. It's mid summer, and the civil suits coming into the office are minor- nothing too serious and requiring extra attention. Sometimes when one of the partners or adjuncts gets overwhelmed and overworked with a case, they'll ask me to assist the interns in pulling files and refreshing on case law for them. I've only been called upon a handful of times because I'm only the receptionist, and definitely not in the past couple quiet months.

Anyways, the extra free time I find at work has been used to online search for scholarships and student aid offers at law schools. I'm almost finished enough pre requisite classes to apply to an accelerated law program- one that would get me both a bachelors and law degree in three more years. But even if I was accepted to any, I would need the financial help.

The search is narrowed greatly due to circumstances I can't control. I need to be within driving distance of my current job- as I would have to work while taking classes. I can't live anywhere more expensive than my current town home. Enrolling in a bachelors program only to have to re apply for law school in two years isn't ideal for me, so this also shaved off a couple schools who don't have accelerated programs.

I don't have the time or money to be in school longer than absolutely necessary.

The search post lunch break leaves my eyes glazed over from the blue light of my computer screen up until it's time to leave for the day. At this point, everything is just starting to jumble together but I managed to bookmark a few tabs containing online applications to a handful of universities.

The process of it all is so overwhelming and it's been getting to me for the past few days. The other people in the office think I'm being a little naive trying to go to law school without an undergrad degree from a prestigious university, and maybe they're right. I mean, they all succeeded in this field.

By the time 5 o'clock rolls around, I'm ready to get the hell out of work and home to my bed.
While I'm driving, Nolan calls and my ringtone blasts through my car speakers.

I take a breath while reaching for my phone. I'm feeling down today, and though I know Nolan is the only person I count on not to judge me, I feel embarrassed. "Hi," I greet through the phone, trying to sound up beat.

"Hey I was thinking we should go to the bar tonight. Tanner is trying to get all our friends together and really wants us to," he chuckles. It is Friday after all. But I've had a long work week and I just feel so exhausted mentally and physically. I've been thinking about my favorite sweatpants for the past seven hours.

"That sounds fun. I'm on my way home now, can you meet me there?" I respond. He agrees, and we hang up until seeing each other in person.

As I crawl through the traffic that plagues my daily commute, I brainstorm ways to convince him to go to the bar without me. Ever since we started dating, he has been nothing but considerate to me. Even on the nights he's with the other guys, he texts me quite a lot to just check in. So I know it won't be easy to send him on his way without a satisfactory explanation.

Nolan is waiting on my porch for me, and I consider giving him a key. I'll think more about it later though, as we just started dating and I don't wanna scare him. "I know I said I would make dinner, but do you mind if we just order something?" Is the first thing I say to him after a quick peck on his lips.

"Yeah whatever you want," he agrees, and goes straight for my couch. I set my purse down on the kitchen table and start on making tea to calm my anxiety.