Chapter 1 : college

"Ow, ow, ow!" I groaned as I hurried over to the coffee shop to put the freshly made scones in the showcase. My fingertips get pink and uncomfortable from waiting for them to cool down a little more. Jessica chastises me, saying, "Thea, you should have waited." She has been employed at Java Coffee Co. for roughly two years, which is the same time as me. We've gotten along well, so I enjoy having shifts with her. I mutter to myself, "I'm not the most patient person," as I run the chilly water between my fingers. They already experience total normalcy. My urge for speed this morning is also a result of the approaching end of my shift, which means I have to leave and head home. I have a little window of time to prepare for my first day of classes at Westwood Community College. Though I'm anxious, my excitement outweighs everything else. I'm passionate about learning and taking in everything that is put in front of me. I'm informed of a new customer when the front door chimes. After rapidly wiping off my hands, I approach the register to collect their order. Thirty minutes later, I bid farewell to Jessica and the shopkeeper, Mathew. He is constantly present, usually working on paperwork in his small office at the rear of the business. I take a to-go cup, fill it halfway full with coffee, and then top it up with sugar and crème. I'll be honest: I'm addicted to coffee. I have to have coffee every day to avoid having these terrible headaches. I love the way it tastes, so why should I cut back on my consumption? The mild coolness in the fall air is effectively offset by the steaming coffee. August in Connecticut is cool, which is something I still find strange. I still find the chilly weather odd, even though my mom and I moved to Westwood, Connecticut from Florida over six years ago. Who knows if, at this point, I'll ever get used to it. There are moments when I long for Florida. I moved, leaving a few pals behind. We made an effort to stay in touch, but it's difficult to maintain strong friendships when you relocate hundreds of miles away, so I finally lost touch with them all. Still, the change was essential. I'll just accept it and go more quickly. I exhale in relief as I enter the hothouse and take off my imitation Ugg boots and jacket right away. "Mom, Evie, I'm home!" I let out a yell. My younger sister is going to run me over in three, two, one, according to the sound of light footfall and a high-pitched screech. "There!" exclaims my Evie, slamming against my thighs with excitement. "Hi, E! "How is your day going so far?" I lifted her and put her on my right hip, asking her questions as I went. I located my mom in the kitchen after finding my way through the rest of the house. "Hey, Mom," I said with a smile, embracing her with my left arm. "Hello, my love. Would you like to share our morning activities with Thea, and Evie? "Hey! We prepared dinner together." Evie played with my blonde hair, still in a rumpled ponytail from work, and chuckled at me. I raised an eyebrow in response to her reply. "Do you mean you made breakfast with mommy?" I inquired. She gave a quick, back-and-forth shake of her head. "Not at all! "Mommy and I cooked dinner in the cock pot," she explained. Her reply made my mom and I burst out laughing. I had to put Evie down to keep me from falling on her because I was laughing so hard. My mom and I continued to gasp for air for a full minute. Whenever I thought I was done laughing, all it took was one glance at my mother to have me start laughing again. I eventually stopped laughing after a minute or so to focus back on Evie, who was perplexed as to why we were just laughing. "E, I believe you mean that you prepared dinner in the Crock Pot," I clarified, stifling a slight chuckle as I glanced at my mother, who was amused by our little antics. "Yeah, that's what I said!" Evie continued. I smiled at her. She was spunky and adorable. I am quite excited to meet her in ten years. "What did you two make?" This time, my mother responded. "We used potatoes and carrots to make pot roast. I also have some garlic bread, which you only need to bake. You won't have to cook at all because I have to leave for work at 4:30 and won't return until late. It ought to be prepared by six. "Mom, thank you. "Where are you heading today?" "I'm traveling to Mexico and will be stopping in Texas en route back." Do you want any mementos?" As a flight attendant, my mother takes flights all over the world. She spends a lot of time with Evie because she only works three to four days a week. I try to help with Evie's care when I can, but now that I'm starting school and working part-time at Java, it will be difficult. Mom won't acknowledge that she needs my assistance paying the expenses, but she doesn't even want me working. Things have been tight ever since Dad departed and we just have one source of income. When my mom was eight months pregnant with Evie, my jerk of a father abandoned us and never came back. I'm not sure what kind of business he owned, but his departure affected our family both financially and emotionally. But he's not necessary for us. "Give me a snow globe from Texas, please. I grinned, "I believe I already have one from Mexico." It was customary for my mother to return from her "trips" with items. My mom has flown to many various states and countries, and I have numerous snow globes of them. I haven't visited any of them yet, but perhaps in the future. I currently have little bits of the world scattered throughout my bedroom, including my dresser, bookshelves, and workstation. Some of them have even spilled over into the shelves of my closet. "I need to start preparing for class. It's my first day!" When I excitedly hop up and down, my mother just chuckles at how eager I am. With a bright smile, she continues, "I'm so happy for you, honey." I give her a smile in return and turn to face Evie. "Wanna help me pick out my outfit for my first day?" All I received in return was a scream, but judging by the way she took hold of my hand and guided me to my bedroom, I think it was a joyful one. After an hour, I had changed into new clothing and done my day's hair and makeup. My makeup was subtle but still evident, and my hair was down in its natural waves. We made a compromise, with me wearing the purple tank top with a black skirt that flowed out and ended mid-thigh instead of the red polka-dot skirt Evie had in mind. modest but adorable. My mom was reading a new book while tucked into the corner of the couch in the living room when I strolled down the hall hand in hand with Evie. "Which book is that?" I enquired. She jerked a little, and her reading glasses landed on her lap instead of her face, so I guess I scared her. She gave me a look and said that she was reading "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens, then pouted about me continually scaring her. "At last! You should read that book; I've been urging you for months!" I remarked, taking a seat between my mom and Evie. We entertained Evie and discussed her book theories until it was time for me to get out for my first lesson. "Goodbye, my love! Enjoy a fantastic first day! "Go study some stuff," my mother replied, giving me my backpack. "Bye, sweetie!" Evie imitated my mother, which made me laugh to myself since she could say the cutest things all the time. I gave them both a hug before heading into Westwood Community College, both frightened and enthusiastic about the journey ahead.