stressed out;;

“So I’ve got this project and I need someone to model a few things for me. You up for that?”

“I think you’ve got the wrong person...”

Some girls are full of heartache and poetry and those are the kind of girls who try to save wolves instead of running away from them.

“Why? You’re a total catch!”

“I’ve... never really talked to anyone like that without being drunk.”

“That sounds so boring… I love school, but lectures make me want to tear my hair out.”

“Oh, tell me about it. This one professor is obsessed with talking about things unrelated to the topic and it’s so frustrating.”

“Don’t look now, but the hottie at three o’clock is totally checking you out.”

“I doubt it,” Esther mumbled shyly, still trying to peek in the direction offered.

“Really? What have you been up to?”

“Classes upon classes upon classes. I don’t ever want to sit in a lecture hall ever again.”

Jackson’s eyes darted up from his notepad to look at the woman. “I don’t think it does. What’s the questionnaire for anyway? It sounds like something for family feud. That or someone trying to psycho analyze me.”

“It’s some job survey that my professor thinks will help, but it’s the biggest waste of time ever.” Esther sighed. “I kinda wish it was for Family Feud, although my family feud enough as it is.”

“That’s uh…interesting. Can’t say I understand how that’ll help at all.”

“It won’t,” Esther sighed. “But it’s this or study, and I’m a professional procrastinator.”

PLOT DROP || KAREN & ESTHER

“It doesn’t matter!” Esther replied with a giggle, already buzzed from the drink she had before. “Just dance with me, pretty please?”

“What other sorts of questions do you have to answer?”

“Just weird questions like that, all surrounding fruits, animals that old classic what three people would you invite to a dinner party that people use all the time. It’s so people can assess what jobs we’d be good for in the workforce but I reckon it’s a bit too late for that.”

Shane snorted at her words and nodded. “Seems like the ending of my life would be quick and pretty painful. I’m good with being a human.”

“Yes, I’m totally okay staying as a human,” Esther replied, finding the other’s laugh infectious, causing herself to giggle along.

“Perfect! Help yourself.” Lilah gestured to the box.

“Thanks Lilah,” Esther replied eagerly as she picked up a donut. “I swear, this week is going so slow..”

“That’s really weird.” Shane said with a laugh, shaking their head. “No one should want to be a fruit, it’s not like that would get you very far.”

“I mean, the upside to being a fruit is being delicious,” Esther mused, trying to be optimistic. “However, it seems painful to be eaten.”

“Wanna know what’s silly? There’s actually right and wrong answers to those questions, according to the people who ask them. You answer with ‘mango’ and some psychologist somewhere is coming up with some formula as to why they scientifically believe you are out of your mind or why your kids are going to be murderers or something.”

“Wow, that’s a little bit intense...It’s funny to think that one thing I answer could predict my future genetics. Kinda don’t like thinking about that.”