Rising Shards

Dr. Evy Diast had her head down on a stack of papers she was very behind on correcting. Someone flicked her head. She looked up to see Caya Kilander looming over her, as Caya Kilander excelled at. Even when she was in casual clothes and not her military gear, she was still an incredibly imposing presence, especially when she had her arms crossed and was looking disappointed.

“You’re groaning a lot,” Caya said.

“Yeah, I just…had a long day.” Evy said.

“Well, chin up,” Caya said. “Because it’s annoying when you groan.”

“Thanks for the support,” Evy said.

“The snowstorm got you down?” Caya asked. “You only live a few blocks away.”

“It’s not entirely that.” Evy said.

“So the roommate again?” Caya asked.

Evy sighed and tried to plop her head back down on the papers. Caya caught her with a single finger at her forehead and propped her back up.

“I’ll tell you what I told you last time,” Caya said. “The sooner you drop that roommate the better. If you were better with your money, you wouldn’t have to rent either, you know.”

“I know,” Evy said. Caya had the situation partially right, but not greatly. That said, after knowing Caya for a long while, and their gradually tangled and untangled relationship over that time, Evy knew better than to do much other than nod.

Caya’s never been the type to listen with someone, it’s always listening at them.

As Caya continued to lecture her, Evy nodded along, feeling smaller and smaller the longer she was basically scolded. Outside of their goals being vastly different from the military to medical science (despite their paths looping back to the same workplace later), one of the reasons they weren’t compatible long term in college was because Evy was too giving, and Caya was too willing to explain for what felt like hours at a time what Evy was doing wrong with her life. When Caya finally left, Evy decided the papers could wait, and her aching back and shoulders agreed with her upon standing up.

Evy wandered toward the cafeteria, valuing the big windows there giving a great view of the snow. She sighed, not wanting to brave the snowstorm just to go home and face the mess waiting for her there.

“What a mess,” Evy said. She started mumbling to herself. “Freaking. Ugh. I hate. Roommates…I don’t need to be better with money, I’m great with money…”

Evy was so lost in her self-care vent mumbling that she didn’t register the footsteps walking towards her.

“Oh! Evy!” Stella said.

Evy was a bit dumbstruck by the sight of Stella, and even more so seeing her in maybe the most simultaneously precious/attractive winter clothes she’d seen anyone in. She tried to not look her up and down and realized every moment she stood staring at her fur boots, her yoga pants, her turtleneck—she mercifully stopped herself from the first thing that came to mind, which was “It shouldn’t be legal to look that good in a turtleneck.” Which would have been really dweeby and pretty creepy.

“Stella!” She exclaimed instead. “What are you doing—oh my god was today the interview?”

Stella nodded.

“Congratulations! You made it through!” Evy said. “If I had known I would’ve gotten you a coffee or something, but…” Stella held up her gingerbread latte, which smelled delicious. “You already have that covered.”

“Thanks,” Stella said. “I’m glad I ran into you, though.”

“Me too,” Evy said, immediately hating herself for how pervy that came out. “I mean. You look great! Love the. The whole look, very stylish! You’re looking very stylish.”

Evy coughed.

“Oh? I uh. Yeah, thank you!” Stella said, blushing a bit. “I had more…professional clothes for the interview but I wanted to change into habitable clothes right after.” She held up her clothes bag.  

“Nice!” Evy said. “And meanwhile I’m here in my…” Evy looked down at herself to confirm that she was wearing one of her typical jumpsuits. “Garbage bag uniform.”

“Oh, stop, I dig your look,” Stella said. “It’s like you stepped right out of a lab. It fits you.”

“Thanks,” Evy said.

“I thought about stopping by the offices to see if you were still there.” Stella said abruptly before an awkward pause could form.

“You probably shouldn’t see my office, it’s a disaster,” Evy said. “Save that for when you’re employed here, I don’t want you to lose all respect for me already.”

“That bad?” Stella laughed.

“That bad.” Diast said. “How about I walk you to your car?” She looked out at the snow again. “Or, wait. You’re not driving home in this, are you?”

“I took a cab here,” Stella said. “But I’m suddenly realizing they’re gonna jack up the price from the blizzard. I guess I could take the train back unless they also jack the price up in snow.”

“They might, yeah,” Evy said. “I don’t even know if the train’s running today actually.”

“Great.” Stella sighed.

“Hey, you don’t have to plan anything right now,” Evy said. “You have to celebrate, big interview day! There’s a bar/grill by here, I personally am in desperate need of a burger after my day so if you’re down I could treat you.”

Stella thought about it for a second. The two seemed to realize at the same moment what had just been asked.

“Oh, sure! That’d be…yeah! I can pay too, but if you’re treating…” Stella said.

“You wanna go right now?” Evy asked. “I need to get the hell out of this school like now. Please. Save me.”

“You’re making a real great sell on this school as a job, Evy.” Stella said.

“Oh, you haven’t even heard my good pitch on this place—oh. You’re teasing. I do think it’s a great place to work, I’m just. Having a day. That isn’t entirely even related to the work, mostly. I am behind on some papers…”

“Are you ready to go?” Stella asked.

“Yes, let’s go before I ramble incoherently to you all day.” Evy said. “I’ll walk you to my car, then.”

Evy and Stella got their coats, hats, and gloves on, and left for the parking lot, with Evy feeling like her day had just gotten significantly better.