Restoration [Shawn Mendes] AU

Chapter 18

It was one of those rare, beautiful November days in the northeast. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue and the sun was out, but it wasn't really producing much heat as the crisp air sent a chill through his hoodie and fleece-lined jean jacket. He walked through the scattered leaves crunching beneath his feet, book bag slung over his shoulder, hands jammed in his pockets. His AirPods were in as he listened to his Mayer playlist, lost in the music and his own thoughts, not paying much attention to anyone else that passed by. He was leisurely walking across campus, headed to the Registrar's Office on Washington Place to talk to the assistant registrar about scheduling changes for winter and spring session, not really in a hurry to get there and figuring he had time to kill if she had a few other students to talk to before she got to him. He could always look at his notes for his late afternoon class while he waited, if nothing else.

~~~~~

Michelle dropped Jane off outside Cafe Pearl at RISD Museum. It was a cool, casual place at the entrance of RISD campus. They had great espresso and wifi, which is all Jane needed while she waited for Michelle to get reenrolled as a student for second semester and figure out what classes she needed to schedule.

"Ok, my appointment with the registrar is at 11:20, but if I get there a little early maybe they'll take me sooner," Michelle told Jane.

"Sure, I'll just be here working on my computer and staying caffeinated, so when you're done, text me. You want me to get you something when you're finished registering?" Jane inquired as she gathered her purse and laptop and opened the door to exit out of the Jeep.

"Maybe, I don't know. I'll text you when I'm done. Alright...here goes, see you in a bit and then we'll go look at apartments! Yay!" Michelle laughed as she waved to her friend. She was nervous and a bit distracted, but there was no reason for that, so she wasn't even sure why she was feeling this way.

Wish me luck babe. I'm taking a step toward my future and I know you're watching over me. Love you. She always talked to Robert and Beau in her head when she felt anxious or needed to feel them close to her. She hoped they could hear her or know what was on her mind at least.

~~~~~

He was sitting in one of the red outer office chairs, slightly slouched in his seat, one arm flung over the back of the chair next to him and one leg stretched out as his other knee bounced from impatience, his book bag resting on the floor at his feet. He knew he was going to be here for a little while, but he didn't really feel like looking at his notes at the moment. Maybe he'd work up to it over the next few minutes. For now, he was content to sit and vegetate while Mayer began singing one of his favorites, "Perfectly Lonely". That song always spoke to him on a personal level. He had been in casual relationships with women, but he'd never been serious to the point of turning his life upside down for love. His friends who were in relationships always seemed to be dealing with some drama that just made him thankful he was by himself. He was alone...once in awhile he'd hook up with some girl, but it wasn't serious and it definitely wasn't ever longterm. He was good with that at this point in his life and he didn't see himself changing anytime soon.