What’s Next?
When it Rains…
Chapter 42
by 
TheArm
Not ready for finals :/
Lily was shimmering with sweat as she was reaching the end of her warm up run. She much preferred running an outdoor route but with threats of a coming storm, the treadmill would have to suffice. Megan’s voice was loud in her AirPods.
“It belongs to my dad’s cousin, he said we could use it for the week” Megan had taken it upon herself to plan that New Year’s trip the two girls had only mentioned in passing.
“There better be a hot tub” Lily’s strain from her jog was audible “can’t have a cabin in the snow without a hot tub.”
“Oh there is! Plenty of opportunities to get wet and wild” Megan laughed. “But hey, I’ll start a group chat with you, me, and the boys and we’ll work out the kinks.”
“You’re ridiculous” Lily said laughing at her friends emphasis on the word kinks.
“You love me! And I love you girl, have a good work out.”
“Bye talk to you soon.”
Lily flicked her notifications tab down before putting her phone away and saw an email in her school account.
Ms. Barker,
As the first semester comes to a close the Health Science department requests that all freshman program students meet with their academic advisors to discuss academic goals and how best to accomplish them.
In order to receive your code to register for next semesters classes, you must make an appointment to meet with me. There is no pressure, these meetings are solely about you and how the department can best help you achieve your objectives. Please visit the program website to make an appointment before finals week.
Best,
Dr. Thomas Simon
Great, Lily thought. One more thing to worry about before finals. She quickly selected a time without thinking so she could get back to her workout. The gym was relatively empty with only a few guys scattered around lost in their own work outs. Lily figured it was partly because of the storm that the campus was expecting and partly because people were beginning to hunker down for exams. She didn’t mind, it was nice to have the gym to herself sometimes.
Through her workouts she was lost in thought about her future and what she had envisioned for it. The advisors email gave her a sense of urgency, even though she knew she still had a few years to solidify any real plans. She knew she wanted to go to med school and since she was a freshman in high school she thought she wanted to be a physical therapist. She had always imagined working in some care home, helping some infirm elders learn to walk again after fracturing their hip or something. Now though, since she became serious about exercise, she was considering alternative paths. Maybe occupational rehab or sports medicine. She thought it might be fun to work for a sports team, helping their athletes return off the injured list or designing training regimens for them. It did seem like a bit of a lofty goal though.
She also thought of Jake. He had no idea what he wanted to do yet. He had fleeting dreams throughout the time they’ve dated from being a lawyer, to a teacher, to a banker, to a Hollywood writer. There was even that time junior year when he thought he could become a streamer. He always said that he got into the game too late, but all their friends would tell you that he just wasn’t that interesting in front of the camera. She knew he could do anything he put his mind to, and his indecision actually made her plans easier. With him being a blank slate currently, the world was her oyster. Though she would of course work her dreams into his if he ever did decide.
And what about this whole thing of theirs? They were still very new to this whole lifestyle and Lily had no idea if it would continue after college, or even if it would continue more than a year. Either one of them could decide at any point to stop and just return to each other. But what if they didn’t? What if it continued after? What if it continued while they were establishing their careers? Into married life? Would having kids put an end to it? Do I even want kids?
“NEW MESSAGE FROM… LOGAN” The loud robotic voice in her AirPods shattered her focus. Before checking the text, she grinned. In the few short days since returning to campus, Logan had been noticeably warmer. Not quite like he was before but he was noticeably holding something back. Lily figured that picture of her, Jake, and David had broken through the chill at least a little bit.
Aww missing me that much?
Lily couldn’t help teasing him.
Okay, maybe that does sound pretty bad. She remembers seeing how bad coastal storms can get down here on the news growing up. She decided to cut the workout short and head back. On the way out, a flyer caught her attention.
“Seeking instructor for fitness class next semester. Contact gym management for details”
She snapped a picture knowing she would probably need a job next semester. It’s at least something to consider. She stowed her phone in her bag and hurried off back home. The wind was already whipping against her and the clouds were heavy and dark in the sky as she walked through campus.
Mhm. Just got out of the shower.
Lily toweled off and went back to her room. Amanda was sitting in her bed doing an assignment and barely looked up from her laptop when she entered. Lily thought that Logan’s concern was endearing and a good sign that things were progressing again. He hadn’t yet shut down her nudes either like he had done before. Not that she thought he might with how he looked at her on the day of the fire alarm. How his hands almost couldn’t bear not to touch her. She could continue wearing him down with nudes and eventually he’d break.
Well I’m comfy so I wont be changing
Amanda looked at Lily with a raised brow seeing her take the photo. They exchanged a look that was an entire conversation without words. First an askance look from Amanda. Then a look from Lily that said the cards were all falling into place. A look away from Amanda, then a permissive but disbelieving shake of the head.
What’s Next?
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