Pick Brooke

“Bottling it up,” you say slowly. “Funny how that’s treated as a bad thing. I would call it internal reflection instead.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jennifer asks.

“It comes from the Stoics,” you say. “Only through quiet self-examination can you find space for personal improvement. Loudly complaining about your mental health issues? That just makes the problem worse. Only by remaining calm and composed in the face of pressure can you possibly find peace.”

“Not that you’d know much about that, what with all your whining,” Brooke laughs at Jennifer. “I guess that’s what happens when you forget about tradition.”

Jennifer crosses her arms, a hurt look crossing her face.

“Well, what are you still doing here then?” she asks.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m only here for the mugs,” you say.

Brooke gives you a grin, and adds: “What, you thought we’d be here for the actual event?”

“Some of us appreciate the resources the college gives to us,” Jennifer pouts.

Just then, the speaker calls attention to the room. The person at the podium is a pudgy, pasty woman who looks something north of forty. She’s dressed in a vaguely ethnic shawl that’s just plain enough to duck any accusations of cultural appropriation. She has some nasty looking green smoothie in one hand, a microphone loosely held in her other. This is a classic university administrator if you’ve ever seen one.

“Namaste, friends, thank you for coming to today’s gratitude workshop. Before we begin, let’s all take a moment of silence to acknowledge that the land we’re standing on—or sitting on, no judgment for the differently abled here!—yes, that this land that we’re all on… It was stolen from the Powhatan and the…” She pauses, coughing, saying something like “Cheyenne”, but it really could be anything.

Everyone stares at her expectantly, but it seems that’s it. This is the moment of silence.

“Seriously?” you mutter, and you see Jennifer wilt a little.

“She seriously just forgot the name of the tribe and tried to fake it,” Brooke whispers. “The Cheyenne, really? There’s a reason why it’s a city in Wyoming.”

“Frauds, just like the whole movement,” you say, sharing a smile with Brooke. This whole thing is too ridiculous to be true. In fact, most people gathered around are having hushed conversations, while the woman up front frowns, her lips twitching.

“Friends, friends, let’s try to keep it down. We are trying to be respectful. The theme of today’s workshop is gratitude, not disrespect.”

“Damn, we’re not here to learn to disrespect?” you say quietly. “Could’ve fooled me.”

That earns you a few giggles from Brooke, but luckily, the woman up front doesn’t seem to notice.

“When we go about life, we often get caught up in all sorts of crazy, stressful situations,” the woman continues. “But it turns out, studies show that simply taking a moment and expressing gratitude can make your day much better! So let’s all take a minute and think of something that we’re grateful for. For example, I’m grateful for these organic Green Dream smoothies—” she takes a big drink from it, leaving green residue on her lips “—they must be why I haven’t gotten cancer yet! Hahaha.” You notice nobody is laughing along with her. You and Brooke share a glance. “Okay. Everybody, quiet now, and take a minute to think of something that you’re grateful for, and share it with somebody next to you!”

Jennifer falls silent at that, closing her eyes, clearly intending to take the exercise seriously. Brooke, on the other hand, casts her eyes toward the exit.

“Look, they put the mugs out already,” she whispers. “Should we… um…”

“Let’s,” you smile, taking her hand.

The two of you sneak towards the exit, catching a stray dirty look from Jennifer when she realizes what you’re up to. But a minute later, the two of you have made it out with your mugs, and you hoist them triumphantly over your heads, clinking them in a mock toast.

“Since we’re toasting, might as well follow through,” Brooke laughs. “So… what are you grateful for, Alex?”

“I’m grateful for these free mugs,” you say, pretending to take a drink out of it. “I can’t believe they let us go, just like that.”

“They probably realized that the event’s totally useless,” she says.

“Can’t argue with that,” you laugh. “What about you? What are you grateful for?”

Brooke pauses, surprising you, actually taking a moment to think. You notice some color rising to her cheeks.

Then, she leans forward, and says: “You! I’m grateful that we got the chance to hang out today.”

“So am I,” you smile, and you lean forward, giving her a peck on the lips.

The quick motion catches her by surprise, bringing a fresh round of color to her face, and then the moment passes.

“So um… I need to run, but catch you later?” she asks.

“Will do,” you smile, waving goodbye to her.

Brooke +25
Jennifer -5