reach for the clouds ✰ c.h

i. CUMULUS

chapter one — cumulus
clouds which have flat bases and are often
described as "puffy," "cotton-like," or "fluffy.

「 "need you for the old me,
      need you for my sanity." 」
   garden (say it like dat) by SZA

VIONA.

"Alright, everyone listen up," I looked up as our professor, aka Linus, called for our attention. The rest of the class continued to talk, seemingly either not hearing him or hearing him and ignoring what he said.

Probably the latter.

Lois Peters, who had an obvious crush on the young teacher, spoke up in a sultry tone. "I'm listening."

I get it. Linus was handsome. But, he has a wife—whom he is happily married to. But of course, that girl just couldn't handle her hormones.

"Yes, Lois, but the rest of the class needs to be listening as well." He masked his discomfort towards Lois as he progressively rose his voice, which got everyone's attention.

Once the room fell silent, he spoke again. "I hope you were all paying attention and writing notes down. There will be a test this Friday." Multiple groans and sighs filled the classroom, mine included.

Clyde Stevens turned to me with his eyebrows raised as I rolled my eyes.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about, Vi."

"It's not the test," I sighed again. "I just thought I was finally gonna catch a break since I already finished my project and essay, but now I have to study."

"Well, I didn't finish the project or essay yet, and now I have to study on top of all that, so be happy, drama queen." Clyde pointed out.

"You trying to glorify my problems by comparing it to your inability to manage time and priorities isn't helping, Clyde." I retaliated.

Clyde put his hands up in defense. "Okay jeez, I was only trying to take some pressure off your shoulders."

"Once again." I squeezed his hand as my eyes met his. "Not helping."

He scoffed and snatched his hand from mine before facing forward and opening his laptop, causing me to chuckle. Of course, I was only teasing, and Clyde knew this by now I'm sure.

I've known him since the first day of freshman year, when we met.

He's one of my best friends, and I only have two of those in my life. The other one isn't in this class, seeing as her major is in fashion. Clyde and I are both studying fine arts majors, hence how we ended up in the same class.

"Miss I-finally-got-a-promising-job thinks she can just be mean to me now, huh?" Clyde whispered to me.

"Oh, shut up," I snickered. "I am still the same modest, loving, kind Viona that you met 4 years ago."

Clyde gave me a playful look just as the professor stood up again to dismiss the class—and yes, Lois did wave and wink at him as she walked out.

I was now walking down the sidewalk near the west campus when Adelina Summers, my best friend, and roommate, pulled up next to me.

We've been best friends since middle school. We're both from New York, but we moved out here to California after high school graduation. There were things that I had to leave behind, and thankfully Del was willing to take that leap with me. Of course, we had to adjust to living on the West Coast, especially because we're literally from the other side of the country, but it's not as bad as it seems.