Chapter 6

The alarm rang at exactly 5:30 a.m.

Jay groaned, barely managing to drag herself upright, woke up to the bombing sound of the alarm that was nothing short of giving her a PTSD soon. Her eyes burned with sleep, her body still aching from the previous day's emotional whiplash. But she had a morning class, and morning classes didn't care about yesterday. With visible irritation she rose up from the bed. And then she shuffled to the bathroom, half-asleep, and squeezed toothpaste onto her brush. As per her odd little ritual, she let it sit on her teeth before she brushed and rinsed…so she wandered through the house like a ghost — slow, foggy, detached in the early hours. It wasn't until she passed by her bedroom door that she suddenly remembered.

The message.

Her eyes snapped wide open as she turned and rushed to her bed. She grabbed her phone, the screen lighting up her face in the dark room. She opened the chat.

No reply.

Not even a 'seen.'

Jay stared for a moment, lips parting in disbelief. "Seriously?" she muttered to herself. "Not even seen yet?"

She tossed the phone onto the bed with a frustrated sigh. "Whatever," she mumbled, heading back to finish brushing and get ready.

After making some toast and tea, and wrapping herself in her hoodie, she left for university.

By the time she reached the campus gate, Jay glanced at her phone again and realized something.

She was early. Way too early.

The sky was still a murky blue, the sun barely threatening to rise or shine She walked inside, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. Only the security guard gave her a nod as she passed.

The building was dark, blanketed in sleepy, creepy silence.

Jay turned on her phone's flashlight and ran her fingers along the cool walls, searching for the switchboard. A click, a blink, and then — light flickered on, casting long shadows down the hallway.

She made her way toward the familiar corridor. One by one, she turned on the lights as she walked, until she finally reached G-15.

She pushed the door open, turned on one corner light that bathed the acoustic-padded room in a soft amber glow, and sat down with a tired sigh. Her head dropped to the desk. She closed her eyes.

And soon her head felt relax, her eyes felt heavy and then she started to drift.

Suddenly a she felt a tap on her shoulder that startled her, but he ignored it. She was feeling way too sleepy to get bothered by this.

But then another tap rattled her and this time a firmer grasp made sure that she look up. She lifted her head, groggy-eyed, and turned.

A girl was sitting in front of her. Jay squinted to focus, her eyes were still blurry and then froze. Her mouth opened in surprise. "Y-You… aren't you…?"

The girl tilted her head with a teasing smile. "Yeah, it's me. You don't know me?"

Jay blinked, still waking up. "You're the girl… from the bus?"

The girl chuckled softly. "Venelope," she said, holding out her hand.

Jay, still flustered, took her hand and shook it warmly. "I… yeah. Hi… I'm Jay. Sorry, I didn't recognize you right away."

Venelope gave her a half-smile. ""you're Jay ohhh… I see … so you are Jay!" she mocked.

Of course I know you are jay… You really thought I covered you with my umbrella without knowing who you were?"

Jay's cheeks went pink. She laughed awkwardly, tucking her short hair behind her ear. "I guess I did…"

Venelope shrugged playfully. "I've seen you around. In this class. You always look like you're thinking ten things at once."

Jay gave a sheepish smile — it was embarrassingly accurate.

A quiet pause settled between them. Then Venelope glanced at the dimly lit room.

"We're way too early, huh?"

Jay nodded.

Venelope stretched and suggested, "Wanna walk around a bit? Grounds should be empty this early. Might help us both wake up."

Jay hesitated, checking her phone. She wanted to rest in this warm classroom, without being disturbed.

Hmm… I think I will stay here… you can go take a round I will keep you seat." Jay said.

Venelope sighed. And then without waiting for Jay's reply she held her hand. "C'mon." she tugged her gently from the seat.

"Ah…Well… okay."

And then Jay followed silently after her.

The air outside was crisp. A light breeze carried the scent of dew and earth. The sky was slowly turning gold and peach above the silhouette of the university buildings.

Venelope started walking backward along the path between the bushes, hands tucked in her sleeves, hair bouncing with each step.

"So," she said, looking at Jay with curious eyes, "why'd you choose Botany?"

Jay blinked at the question.

"I… guess I like plants," she said plainly.

Venelope laughed. "Well, yeah, that's the whole degree. But I mean, why? What drew you to them?"

Jay looked ahead at the wet grass, thinking.

"I think... I like that they're alive, but they never complain. You don't even notice them most of the time. But they still do so much. Quietly. Without asking anything in return."

Venelope looked at her for a moment, her expression softening.

Jay added, "And maybe… maybe I just wanted something that wouldn't leave. You know? Something that would grow if I gave it time. And care."

There was a pause.

"I get that," Venelope said finally.

You do?" jay asked with her eyes wide opened.

"Maybe more than you think." Venelope said as she turned her face away from Jay.

Jay glanced sideways at her. Their eyes met for a second, and Jay felt something shift — just a little — like a page turning in a story that hadn't started yet.

Then, in the quiet morning air, Venelope asked, "Wanna water the greenhouse with me after class today?"

Jay blinked, caught off guard. "You have access?"

Venelope winked at her. "I have connections, My Lady."

Jay smiled and following the dramatic exchange bowed and little and said, "Alright then, My Lord, ready at your command."

Then both laughed out loud, not noticing how the sun had finally risen.