homemade dynamite

Vince decided that this was good. For some reason it was easy for him to talk to Mari. And it was never easy for him to talk to anyone. He would pretend that it was because he didn’t like people, but deep down he knew it was something else. Vince just seemed unable to form connections that went beyond acquaintanceship. He would also pretend that he didn’t mind it, but again he knew somewhere in his heart that it wasn’t true. He swallowed his thoughts with his coffee.

“I would appreciate that,” he chuckled kindly, in a manner that suggested he didn’t much care what else she did in their shared rooms as long as it didn’t disturb his sleep. He wasn’t the kind of person to tell another what to do.

He accepted the granola bar in lieu of a thank you and leaned further back against the couch to stretch his back a little. Seven AM really didn’t suit him. “I am,” he told her. “Gets me closer to the end.” He took another sip of his coffee before putting it down to unwrap the granola bar he’d been given. “I think the University not as much as a certain society,” Vince mused, the night of the initiation still alive in his mind. “What do you think?”

“Hmm,” she mused, trying to bring the university and the society together in her mind. All it’s done the past few nights have sent her brain haywire that only a glass of her strongest brandy could cure. “I’m gonna have to agree with you on that one.” she finally said. Her schedule would probably be overflowing from the amount of organizations she’s in and now she has to juggle another. “I don’t know what’s more terrifying,” she found herself saying out loud. “The fact that I’m going to put in hundreds of hours of volunteering or our secret nightly activities.” Saying it like that made her chuckle. Anyone outside of the loop would think its a casual hookup or an off-campus party. If only things were that simple.

“We never really got to know each other at that mixer.” While Mari wasn’t in the business of getting to know people, she would at least try to know the person she’ll be sharing this space with. “I guess I’ll start,” she said, dramatically clearing her throat. “Mariana Walton - just Mari for you - international relations junior, in way too many orgs to bother mentioning, and I function on coffee and sheer willpower.” She didn’t really expect Vince to volunteer any information but it felt good to have a normal conversation in what she’d consider a safe space.

Frankie cursed underneath her breath, her eyes eagerly eyeing the path as she sighed aloud annoyingly before she ultimately froze when she heard that name. People have been pretty okay with recognizing her new nickname but when Mari spoke, the girl quickly spun around to glance at her. “Fuck you,” she said with a light tone and a teeth-clenching-smile that she had to force before her expression went blank altogether. “It’s Frankie, right Mari?” Rolling her eyes, the girl repositioned her bag on her shoulder. “She spares me? She does have a heart… So rude that people call you selfish,” she chuckled to herself, noting its own irony. She was one to talk about being selfish, it’s her whole rebranding. 

Even though they were the best of enemies, Frankie was glad to have one thing that didn’t change in her life but she would never let Mari know she was grateful. When she mentioned the other night, her ears began to heat up, perking at the sound of it. “Why would you see me around?” She was blunt and it came out more like a comedic punchline than it did a question. Frankie thought it was going to be way harder to sneak around and dance in the shadows than it was. She had a reality check that most people cared too much about themselves to notice her which is exactly what the girl needed. “Mari, are you ever pleased, with anything?” Frankie sighed, shoving her fists into her jacket. “Here we are. What’d you do while I was away? No, wait –– let me guess… Nothing pleasurable?” 

Other people probably thought 8am was too early to get into any arguments but Mari lived and breathed this lifestyle. “Aww Frankie,” she said with the same poison as when she said Francesca, “Sweet of you to think I have a heart. Maybe it’s there after all, I just haven’t bothered looking.” Truth be told she hadn’t seen Francesca in quite some time. She’s heard some rumors of her mysterious disappearance but couldn’t bother herself to find out if they were true. However, she can’t deny that their arguments were top tier. “Well let’s hope to not see each other,” she said with a wicked smile. “I’ve had my fill of seeing you for this life and probably the next.” Mari knew they’d probably see each other more now that they’re tied in this secret society kerfuffle. 

“Pleased?” she scoffed, “Of course, I find pleasure in things, Frankie. You’re the only one who thinks I’m a robot.” You and me, both is what she didn’t say out loud. Francesca saw through most of her shit and she lived for the challenge that came with it.  “How about you,” she said, more of a statement than an actual question. “I heard you took an extended vacation. The last time you were strutting around campus, you still went by Francesca.” Giving Frankie a once over, Mari felt that something about the way she carried herself was different. However, they were still at each other’s throats like nothing has changed. “Was your time-off as pleasurable?”

Nadine can’t help the laugh that leaves her as she imagines Marianna running over anyone who dared to get in her way. It fits her; Nadine believes her when she says she did it. “I’ll be sure to keep a better lookout for bikers next time I’m walking around campus.” She adjusts her bag on her shoulder and follows Mari to the courtyard. She struggles a bit to keep up with the pace, but doesn’t ask for the other woman to slow down at all. 

“Oh I’ve heard nightmarish things about that class. Personally, I’m not looking forward to my modern government class. It’ll be interesting, but I’ve heard the professor is really tough.” Nadine glances around and her eyes settle on an empty table. “How about over there?” 

“Just stay out of the cycle lane,” she muttered with a hint of amusement, “it’s already narrow as it is without having to deal with pedestrians.” Mari could have taken her car but it had been nice and sunny out - plus, her bike was her newest baby, she ought to give it a go every now and then. Hearing Nadine comment about her comparative econ class just solidified her already dreary predictions about it. She pulled out a coffee tumbler from her bag and took a sip. “Well then, I hope we ace those classes and look good doing so.

She made her way to the table Nadine pointed out and sat herself down. Taking out her planner and a mechanical pencil, she began to make a plan on how to best approach this. “So we’re supposed to introduce the other to class, right?” While Mari didn’t have any trouble with public speaking, she had trouble with people knowing the nitty gritty about her. Personas have to be kept in place. after all. “What questions should we start off with? Something basic but also interesting.”

It was six when Vince looked at the clock for the first time. He’d awoken to the sound of a vacuum in the next room. He stirred awake again at six-thirty, then to the sound of furniture being dragged across the hardwood floor. He turned a few times in his bed, then at seven decided that sleep was no longer an option. He rubbed his eyes as he stepped out into the common room, finding it in a slightly different state than the night before.

He wasn’t surprised to see her. Of course Vince had checked with whom he was to share rooms. The idea of sharing at all didn’t sit well with him, but he’d felt admittedly relieved when he learned that it was her. Vince hadn’t disliked her at the mixer, had even somewhat enjoyed their conversation. “Mari,” he said in lieu of a ‘good morning’. “Seems like we are.” He stepped further into the room and tried to see just what had changed since last night.

He leaned against the back of the sofa which faced a different direction than it had before. Vince decided the rearrangement was an improvement, although he sincerely hoped she would keep normal hours in the future. “You brought your own coffee machine?” Not that he complained. “I’d like one, thanks. I didn’t even know seven AM existed on a Saturday.”

Mari pulled out another mug from the cupboard she stocked with earlier. “Yeah,” she commented, “I’ve had this for a couple years. Probably the most faithful relationship I’ve had in - ever.” It wasn’t like Mari did relationships anyway. They were too messy and while she liked her limbs getting all tangled up, she didn’t care much for the emotional attachment that came with it. She handed Vince the steaming cup of coffee and leaned herself on the kitchen counter. 

“Seven AMs are a normal thing for me,” she said, amusement lifting her tone. Ever since her little accident, she’d made the drastic shift to be a morning person (in addition to being a night owl). Mari would usually be awake for twenty hours a day so she ran on caffeine and willpower. “But don’t worry,” she said over the rim of her mug. “I’m not usually moving furniture or vacuuming at this time in the morning so it’ll be quiet.” 

After a few sips, she decided coffee wouldn’t cut it so she pulled out a granola bar. She also slid one Vince’s way. It’ll be better if they get along seeing as they’d be sharing the same space. “Are you looking forward to the new semester?” she found herself asking. While her junior year load seemed light enough, her extracurriculars would keep her well into the night. She didn’t know if she was excited for or dreading the fact. “I hear the university has a lot in store these next couple weeks.”

Nadine had yet to memorize her schedule entirely. She pulled out her phone and pulled up the picture she’d taken of it. “I’m only free until twelve, but that’s still two hours of uninterrupted work time.” She smiles brightly. “We could head to the courtyard? It’s a beautiful day outside.” Nadine didn’t get herself involved in too many extracurriculars. Sure she still did debate and model UN, but outside of that she kept to herself. She was always worried about overextending herself. “I’d kill for an easy schedule,” Nadine laughs. “I’ve got eighteen hours this semester. I don’t know what I was thinking.” 

After packing up her things, she stood and adjusted the bag on her shoulder. “The courtyard will be fine,” she said, thinking of spaces that wouldn’t get too rowdy this early in the day. “I biked the way from the dorms and other than the pedestrians I threatened to run over, I’d agree that it’s a nice day outside.” That incident certainly got on her nerves but she had other more important things to do so she brushed that off along with her other woes. 

She led the way to the courtyard in the briskest pace her heels could handle. She lightly chuckled at Nadine wanting an easy schedule. “That’s precisely why I took every subject I could in freshman and sophomore year,” she said, remembering how tight her schedule was. The sleepless nights and utter exhaustion was a whole ordeal. “My schedule may be a cakewalk but these subjects are killer. I’m not excited for comparative economics at all.”

Even with all the money Eleanor had, she never considered paying someone to do this for her. Would have been ideal, but that would just send the wrong message– as if her clothes and jewelry didn’t do that for her already. She figured she could pick and choose what she wanted to show off while still holding on to the rebel title she so ostentatiously paraded around her life. Getting help from someone else was just the next option– a much more modest one. And if it came from Mariana then even better. “Yeah there’s no way in hell I’d ever be here at 5:30am just to move in. I might just make it to my room, nap and then I’d settle in,” Eleanor explained, laughing a little. She wasn’t lazy… Just had other priorities. 

“I’m glad you had your nap then, otherwise you wouldn’t have had the energy to help me with all this.” Most bags were already in; Mariana had brought in the last of it and she was grateful. “Well it’s not like we’re not used to work outs.” She plopped down on the bed she figured was hers, as she saw some things around the room that signaled Nadine to be the first one to arrive. Maybe she was around… “How shall I repay you for such strenuous activity?” 

"It just feels good to rise with the sun,” she said and knew it sounded quite pretentious. she’d been rising when the blinds in her dorm room would start to light up. it gave her more time to be busy with whatever she had going on - plus, it also meant she had more time to curl her hair and put on makeup. “i’ve been doing it for quite some time now. maybe you should try it sometime.” 

Leaning against the door frame, she considered her options. She could ask Eleanor for another hot night, but she wasn’t looking for those much these days. She could ask for them to study together sometime but their majors didn’t really align. “Hmm,” she voiced, tapping her index finder to her temple. “Maybe we could just hang out soon.” An open ended invitation seemed safe enough. It’ll be open to interpretation when the time comes. If Mari was being honest with herself, all she wanted lately was to sit in a coffee shop and talk just about mundane things. But that didn’t fit the spitfire persona she embodied to reach her goals. Giving the room a quick scan, she furrowed her brows. “Is it just me or does your dorm room look slightly bigger than mine?”

The first day of classes had Frankie up early and excited, that’s what she was there for. While it didn’t take her that long to get ready, she still found herself trying harder than she had in the past year over her appearance. Shrugging it off, the girl threw on her denim jacket and grabbed her bag, getting an earlier start than she had expected. 

Walking outside and starting her descent to class, she groaned at the density of the sidewalk. Frankie wanted a good seat for her lecture and didn’t mind stepping into the bicycle lane, ignoring all the dirty glares and people dinging their bells as they moved around her. People didn’t question her until she heard the girl from behind her. “It’s not an excuse if you actually want to do it,” she corrected smugly, looking over her shoulder as she kept her pace. 

Mari performed a practiced eye roll. People don’t easily bother her but it’s way too early for someone to start getting on her nerves. Well two can play at this game. She steeled her resolve and plastered an overly charming smile on her face. “Well good morning to you too, Francesca.” She popped out the kickstand of her bike and propped one foot on the ground. “I’m considering it,” she said crossing her arms over her chest, “But I can hold out for a few seconds more, I guess.” 

She and Francesca never had the best of relationships but they seem to love getting on each other’s nerves. Checking her watch, she saw that she still had a lot of time to spare. “I haven’t seen you around since a few nights ago.” That night being the one that brought back too many memories she’s tried to forget. Mari had been trying to shake off those thoughts but they clung to her like a second skin. “I can’t really say I’m pleased to see you again … but here we are.”

If it wasn’t because she recognized the hands and the voice that accompanied them, Eleanor would have been irritated at some stranger touching her things. But, alas, Mariana was no stranger and while she hadn’t touched her things, she had touched Eleanor herself. With a quick smile, she turned to the red haired girl and tilted her head, taking in the look she wore. Even with a messy bun and a big tee she looked amazing. “You always look stunning, Mariana,” El started, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She was hanging on to a bag that was a little heavy so she decided to head into her room and drop them on the bed. Everything was yet to be decorated. The bedding wasn’t even on. 

“I’d love the help,” she said from inside the room, already walking outside to grab some more things. “Every year I curse myself for all the shit I have but I just can’t leave my things behind. You moved in already?”

Mari tilted her lips up into a charming smile. Compliments easily came her way but she genuinely appreciated this one coming from El. Picking up a heavy bag, she followed her inside the dorm room. “I’ll just place these here,” she called out, placing them on the little counter. “And yeah I’ve been here since about 5:30 in the morning. I even had time for a little nap.” She grinned at the memory. She’d disrupted the dorm staff’s quiet morning with her dragging suitcases and boxes up the stairs.

Picking up another bag from the hall, she exclaimed, “El why the hell is this so heavy? What kind of diamonds do you have in here?” She let out a soft laugh as she did her best to carry the designer bag without dragging it. After depositing it on the counter, she let out a dramatic sigh and made a show of wiping her brow. “That was a workout.”

Eloisa followed Mari outside and to the alley. They tried to keep up with what their partner was saying, but their brain kept circling back to the painting. However the words “murder you” got their attention.

“Mines in the main hall,”

Eloisa debated explaining further for a moment. Mariana was their partner for their task, but that didn’t mean tell her was safe.

“And I won’t be fitting it in my pocket. It’s a painting. So we should probably start with yours.”

“Alright, let’s go then.” She led the way across the main grounds, keeping to the dimly lit areas . Two girls sneaking around campus wouldn’t be out of the normal but Mari didn’t want to be pulled over by anyone getting too curious. “So Eloisa,” she said in a soft whisper, “Tell me something about yourself. I don’t think this night should be all stiff and boring.” Truth be told, she just wanted to have a light conversation so she could take her mind off her warring thoughts. 

Reaching the health services building, she rounded the corner to make it to the back door. She tried pushing it gently but it didn’t budge. “Goddammit, they’re not making this easy for us.” Pulling two bobby pins from her hair, she tried picking the lock free. She could only hope that there wasn’t a fancy alarm system that would go off any minute now. “I know my way around picking locks,” she said as sweat formed over her brow. “We go way back so you don’t have to worry about that tonight.” At that moment, she heard a soft click and the door swung open about an inch. She had some ideas on where that pill bottle may be hiding but she couldn’t make herself to take another step. Bracing an arm on the wall, she tried to calm her erratic breathing.

Mari got up early to curl her hair and put on enough makeup to make it look like she didn’t have any. Satisfied with how she looked, she grabbed her messenger bag and made her way downstairs to where she parked her new bike. It was a pretty thing - pastel yellow with a wicker basket. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she started to make her way to her first class.

The cycle lane in Bonavich wasn’t the widest but it served its purpose. It wasn’t crowded this early which made it easy for her to just glide through. That was until she had to slow her pedaling when she saw someone walking in her path. She cleared her throat trying to catch their attention or at least have them move aside. After a few attempts, she was beginning to feel impatient. “You know, you’re giving me an excuse to run you over if you’re going to keep walking in the cycle lane.”

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she got up from her newly made bed. She’d been “moving in” since 6 in the morning. Nobody knew the ass crack of dawn like Mari. She’d been vacuuming, wiping, and arranging things both in her room and in the little common room she’d be sharing with her new roommate. Deciding it was time to get up, she stepped out of her room. 

Mid-stretch she noticed someone else was in the room. Squinting from her still-sleepy haze, she realized it was someone she knew - met briefly anyway. “Vince?” she said, an eyebrow arched. She never really checked who her roommate would be so this came as a bit of a shock. “Hi. I guess we’re roommates now.” She actually found herself enjoying the conversation they had at the mixer so she maybe this dynamic could work. “Do you want any coffee?” she said, making her way to the Keurig she brought with her. “Feel free to use this, by the way. Everyone deserves a good steaming cup of coffee in the morning.”

Vince was used to not falling into any one category. The fact wasn’t even worth a mention. That she considered herself to be neither part of the excited nor the nervous surprised him. But when he observed her a little more closely, Vince saw that perhaps she was above the excitement, that she approached the night with a good measure of scepticism as he did. Vince shifted in his seat. His eyes scanned the faces of the people and wondered what the hell they had in common. “It’s an odd crowd, I agree,” he said half-mindedly. His thoughts were with what was to come.

A sly smile crept onto his lips upon her remark. “I reckon that is the purpose of a secret society,” he said, glancing over at her, “for you to not know.” But he agreed that they would soon learn what this was all about. In any case, they were here now. He let out a breath and shook his head. “very.” He answered her question with only a slight undertone and reminded her that he was neither the excited nor the nervous kind. “You seem to have had all the fun already,” he added then, glancing at her blistered feet with a hint of pity. He reminded himself not to complain about dress code anymore.

She let out a light chuckle at his comment on the secret society. ”True,” she said over the rim of her champagne glass. “I’d still have liked to know even just the tiniest tidbit.” Seeing the crowd keep milling around made her all the more curious as to what tied them all together. It had to be more than good looks and high social standing.

She curled her toes in almost instinctively but didn’t feel embarrassed enough to hide them back in the death trap she liked to call shoes. “Had a little twirl on the dance floor and greeted way too many people.” she said, pursing her lips at the thought. Sure she excelled in social interaction - she was the queen of small (and big) talk. But her heart wasn’t in it tonight. She didn’t want to be feeding off other people’s nervous energy especially on a night like this. “I’m just glad to be off my feet for the first time tonight,” she sighed with a sad smile. This conversation was successfully keeping the cogs in her mind from turning and steering her into much darker thoughts. “So, Vince,” she said, keeping their conversation flowing, “What’s your major? Anything interesting for you this semester?”

Eloisa could hardly contain the emotions threatening to boil over inside them, but they shoved them down to consider later. Maybe they could show their sister, but not now. Not here.

Their partner, Mariana, hardly seemed affected at all. Eloisa was glad they had the sense to hid there panic, they didn’t need Mariana thinking she’d been stuck with a useless partner for such a big task.

Forcing a fake grin Eloisa shoved their card into a pocket. “Do you have a place in mind?”

They glanced around suspiciously. The crowds that had seemed loud and humbling before now seemed sharp and dangerous. The mood in the room had shifted so quickly. Eloisa wondered if everyone’s task was so personal.

“We certainly shouldn’t stay here.”

“I think there’s an alley hidden here somewhere,” she said, turning on her heel to head for the grand doors. The night air was warm and she felt a sheen of sweat creep up her neck. She sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to be an easy task. Although Mari never liked taking the easy way, there was something about this night that warned her not to lightly throw caution to the wind. She led the way to a dimly lit street not too far from Brennan House. “I guess this works,” she mumbled, wary about her surroundings.  “I didn’t come here to murder you, so let’s get to hatching that plan.” They were still in the school premises so it had to be safe. Right? 

“I’m going to need to grab something from student health services building.” Mari knew where it was having volunteered there a few times. She luckily knew the interior well enough to have an idea where that pill bottle may be hiding. “It’s small enough and could fit in my purse,” she said, “How about yours?” She hoped it wasn’t too far. Her poor feet were already blistered from her new heels. “My idea is to go the farther site first so we can just circle back when we’re done. What do you think?” She wanted this night to be over with so she could have a date with a bottle of bourbon and not have to think about what she’s gotten herself into.