Chapter Text
Jesse runs her fingers along the textbooks' spines, scanning the titles with a small furrow in her brow. She had written down the exact name of the one she needed, but in this overwhelming sea of academic jargon, everything just blurs together. Especially when it comes to math.
With a quiet sigh, she steps back, tilting her head as if a different angle will somehow make the right book appear.
“Hey. Jesse, right?”
Startled, Jesse turns at the sound of her name and finds herself face-to-face with a familiar classmate. She recognizes him from her math class, differential calculus, as they’d sat next to one another and briefly made their introductions at the professor’s suggestion. He’s wearing a striped tee under a worn hoodie, his backpack slung over one shoulder. His smile is casual, friendly.
“Oh, hey Lukas!” Jesse smiles back, clutching the straps of her bags anxiously. “Funny we’re running into one another.”
“Yeah,” Lukas laughs, his eyes landing on the bookshelf behind her. “You looking for that calc textbook?”
Jesse sighs at the reminder, her gaze following his. “Trying to. I swear, there’s a million books for the same class in here.”
“Tell me about it,” Lukas smirks, walking up beside her and taking a moment to look. “Luckily for you, I already found it.” With a pointed finger, Lukas scans each book for less than a few seconds before landing on one and pulling it from the tight space it rests in. He eyeballs the cover. “Yup. Intro to Calculus: Differentials. This is the one she wants us to get.”
“...Wow,” Jesse takes the book with two hands, relieved. “Lucky I am. Thanks!”
“No problem,” Lukas shrugs. “I managed to get mine online, but I’m in here all the time. I always find what I need.”
Jesse’s smile softens, her tone amused. “That’s impressive. This library is huge .”
Lukas shrugs again, though his cheeks do seem a bit pinker than before. “Anyways…uh, where are you headed? I’m going to the dining hall, got about an hour before my next class.”
Slinging her bag around an arm, Jesse unzips the largest pocket and tucks the textbook inside. “Well, I was planning on heading back to my dorm after this. I have a little time before mine, too.” Sensing what Lukas’ intentions are, though, Jesse decides that she doesn’t mind changing course a bit. He seems nice enough. “But I’m not busy otherwise!”
“...Cool,” Lukas shifts a bit uncomfortably. Jesse finds it endearing; he’s very sweet. “Want to uh…wanna join me? I’m meeting a friend too, she’s super cool.”
At the mention of a third person, Jesse perks up. Meeting new people is already turning out to be a lot easier than she’d anticipated.
“Lead the way!”
———
So far, the first day of the semester hasn’t been as overwhelming as Jesse had feared. But there’s still this lingering anxiety nagging at her, this feeling of not quite knowing how everything will fall into place just yet.
She has Olivia, of course, her best friend and roommate. But meeting new people, figuring out routines, and navigating a campus that still feels way too big? It’s clearly going to take some time. Everything is just so new. Jesse can hardly keep up.
At least Lukas is easy to talk to. That’s a start.
“So,” he starts as they step onto the walkway leading to the dining hall, “how’s your first day going?”
Jesse huffs a small laugh, feeling like he’d read her mind. “Not as bad as I’d thought, honestly. I’ve been expecting some kind of disaster; wrong class, getting lost, spilling coffee on myself or something.”
Lukas laughs, “Yeah, first days can be rough,” his tone is warm and oddly comforting. “But hey, no major disasters yet, right?”
“Not yet,” Jesse smirks. “There’s still time, though.”
The blonde shrugs amusedly. “Fair enough.”
They fall into a comfortable silence, walking past clusters of students heading in different directions. Jesse lets the quiet settle for a moment before asking, “So, what’s your major?”
“English!” Lukas says without hesitation, clearly proud. “I figured if I’m gonna suffer through four more years of busywork at my parents’ aggressive requests…I might as well do it for something I actually enjoy.”
Jesse nods, now understanding why Lukas mentioned spending time in the library. “That makes sense! English majors get a lot of flak, but you guys are some of the best teachers I had throughout high school.”
“Thank you!” Lukas says as if he’s relieved, his eyes brightening. “Like, it isn't just about getting a book published or some dream like that. I dunno,” he sighs. "I just want to be able to write something meaningful, something that makes an impact…and potentially help others do the same, y’know? That whole shtick.”
Jesse watches Lukas with intrigue, feeling her heart flutter with fondness for his obvious passion. She’d expected to meet a lot of guys with majors more related to engineering or computer science. Those were the kinds of guys that she’d known throughout high school, anyway. Lukas is a breath of fresh air.
“So…what about you?”
Jesse blinks for a moment before answering. “Oh, I’m majoring in conservation biology!”
Lukas glances over at her, interest sparking in his expression. “Oh, nice! So you’re into the environment and all that?”
“Yeah,” Jesse answers, suddenly feeling a bit shy. She smiles, “I mostly have a thing for animals. Always have. I’m hoping to make a difference for the ones struggling…maybe work in a wildlife refuge. Maybe establish one."
Lukas doesn’t hesitate. “See, that’s a solid plan,” he quips, pointing a finger. “Meanwhile, I’m over here praying someone will pay me to write stuff.”
Jesse laughs lightly. “You’ll get there.” She takes a moment to think, “I mean, someone’s gotta write all these textbooks making my bag feel like a cinder block.”
“Pretty sure the one you just got was written by a math major.”
Jesse smirks. “And who taught him that?”
Lukas pauses, then lets out a more heartfelt laugh. “Alright. Touché.”
As they near the dining hall, Jesse suddenly feels a familiar flicker of nerves in her gut. First days are always full of first impressions, and she isn’t bad at meeting people, but the whole idea of it all still makes her overthink. Lukas’ friend, whoever she is, is a complete stranger. What if they don't click?
Ugh. Maybe this will be the disaster Lukas mentioned. Should’ve knocked on wood.
The smell of food floods Jesse’s senses as Lukas pushes open the doors, immediately scanning the sea of bustling students. His eyes quickly land on someone at a distant booth, right near the large windows. He smiles. “There she is!”
Jesse follows his gaze as they get closer. A girl is lying back against the cushioned seat, one arm resting casually on the table, phone in hand, and the other holding a mug. She’s tall, taller than Jesse anticipated, and she has an easy, relaxed air about her. Shoulder-length red hair frames her face, and when she glances up at Lukas as he approaches, her eyes light up with something warm and friendly.
“So, this is Petra,” Lukas says to Jesse as they reach the booth. “Petra, this is Jesse. We have calculus together. Figured I'd invite her.”
Petra’s gaze flicks to Jesse, sparkling with intrigue. Jesse isn’t sure what it is, but there’s something about the way Petra looks at her that makes her heart stutter. Just be cool, Jesse.
“Hey,” Petra says, a small smile playing on her lips. She sets her phone down, offering a small nod, “Nice to meet you.”
Jesse fidgets with the strap of her bag. “Y–Yeah! Likewise,” she smiles. Of course, I just had to stutter.
“I’m gonna go get some food real quick,” Lukas says, pointing over his shoulder with a thumb. “Coming, Jesse?”
“Careful,” Petra chimes in before Jesse can respond, leaning over the table. “Lukas is gonna try and get you hooked on the pizza they have here.”
Jesse immediately feels more comfortable when Petra cracks a joke, and so she laughs softly. “You’ve already gotten familiar with the food here?” She eyes Lukas teasingly, crossing her arms.
Lukas shoots Petra a glare. “I…might’ve indulged myself when touring a few months back.” He glances at Jesse bashfully, rubbing at his nape.
“Hasn’t shut up about that pizza since.” Petra chuckles. Jesse's heart skips a beat. “He’s been dying waiting for this.”
“Okay! Okay, she gets it,” Lukas groans, reaching over to nudge Petra on the shoulder before nodding his head in the direction of the pizza place. “For real though. Let’s go, Jesse. It’s really good.”
“Told you,” Petra winks and sips at her drink, which Jesse offhandedly notices is coffee. Heart still feeling funny, the shorter girl only rolls her eyes playfully before following Lukas.
———
Jesse stabs a fork into her salad, successfully nailing a grape tomato as she listens to Lukas and Petra go back and forth. The dining hall is buzzing with conversation, but their table feels like its own little space, their voices being the only ones she really pays attention to.
“You’re gonna regret eating all that cheese, dude,” Petra teases, leaning her elbow against the table and pointing lazily at Lukas’ plate. Three slices of pizza, absolutely drowned in cheese, sit in front of him.
“I think I’ll be just fine, thanks,” Lukas retorts, lifting a slice like it’s a trophy. “This? This is peak college dining.”
Jesse laughs at his performative approach. Petra simply scoffs, taking a sip of her coffee. “More like peak heartburn.”
“I’ll manage.” Lukas waves her off, then glances at Jesse with an easy grin. “Jesse gets it. Pizza’s a classic.”
As the blonde takes a bite, Jesse, who opted for a plate of garlic knots and a salad from the sidebar, lifts a shoulder playfully. “I dunno…pizza isn’t my favorite. ”
Lukas clutches his chest in mock betrayal, his eyes wide. “'Not your favorite?'”
“Better taste than you,” Petra laughs. Lukas rolls his eyes.
“Of course you’d agree. Salads are all you eat.”
“Not true.”
At the comment, Jesse takes mental note that it kind of checks out. She didn't let herself dwell on it too much upon first noticing, but Petra is…built, per se. Even though she’s in looser clothes, being a hoodie and some sweats, her stature and, most notably, her shoulders, make it obvious that she’s not petite by any means.
Nonetheless, Jesse smirks as the two friends continue to banter, peeling apart one of her garlic knots. “I mean, the garlic knots were too tempting to pass up,” she insists. “What can I say?”
“See, that’s fair,” Petra quips, gesturing towards Jesse approvingly. “They’re the only reason I even go to that place.”
“I knew it!” Lukas points at her with his free hand. “You pretend to be above that place, but you totally eat from there.”
“I never said I was above it, genius.” Petra huffs, her brow furrowing. “Just that I’m above your choices.”
Lukas groans, but there’s no real heat behind it. Jesse watches, amused. It’s clear they know each other well, and the dynamic has honestly made Jesse feel more at ease overall.
But as she continues to eat with them, it quickly clicks into place that Lukas isn’t just being friendly. He’s trying, in his own way, to flirt with her. The way he’s joking around, the way he’s eyeballing Jesse when she speaks…it adds up. And Petra is shamelessly egging him on, as best friends do.
Jesse chews on the inside of her cheek, smiling at Lukas as he makes some dramatic claim about having an “iron stomach.” She doesn’t mind the attention. It’s flattering, and Lukas is sweet, easy to talk to, and obviously a good guy. Nothing about the idea is unappealing to her.
But… she also finds herself looking very intently at Petra every single time she speaks.
Her presence is hard to ignore. She’s just so different. So cool. Whenever Jesse gets the chance, she looks down at Petra’s hands. She’s wearing a ring. Her outfit. Carhartt. Her hair. Definitely cut it herself.
Jesse swears she sees a glimpse of a tattoo on Petra’s collar, but she doesn’t stare long enough to confirm. For her own sake.
It’s fine! Petra probably attracts this kind of curiosity from a lot of people. Jesse doesn’t think much of it.
“So, Jesse.”
Petra saying her name for the first time makes the brunette’s heart jump a bit, startled.
“What’re your plans? Y’know,” she smirks, “what landed you in a calculus class with this guy?”
Lukas rolls his eyes. Jesse blinks, caught a little offguard by the question, as well as the fact that Petra was looking at her really closely...
“Um—”
“She’s a conservation biology major,” Lukas jumps in before she can answer, his voice laced with enthusiasm. “She wants to start a wildlife refuge one day. Super cool, right?”
Petra lifts a brow, her gaze flicking between Lukas and Jesse with something knowing. “Huh. That is cool,” she muses, resting her chin in her palm. “I sensed a science major of some sort in you.”
Jesse laughs, her cheeks warming just slightly. “It’s…definitely my thing,” she says, glancing down as she absently pushes a crouton around. “I just really love animals and wildlife in general.”
Petra hums in understanding, tilting her head. “Yeah? What started it?”
Jesse’s face grows warmer. Geez. Since when were introductions this hard?
She shrugs, her expression soft. “Nothing specifically. I just remember always loving them. My family has always had three or more pets in the house, and that could have something to do with it. But…I dunno. I’d just love to help them.”
Petra listens, her expression curious. Jesse finds it...oddly charming, being listened to like this.
Lukas, as if sensing this is his moment to hype Jesse up, grins. “She’s probably gonna be the one on those nature documentaries one day, just wait.” He takes a large bite of his second slice. “Nat Geo or something.”
Jesse snorts, “I don’t know about that. ”
“Hey, I can see it,” Petra affirms, a warm smile playing on her lips. “All serious, talking about an endangered species while some dramatic music plays in the background.”
Lukas points at her. “Exactly!”
Jesse shakes her head in disbelief, unable to hold back a laugh. “Alright, alright. Enough about me…” She focuses her eyes on Petra, working up the courage to ask. “What about you? What’s your major?”
Seemingly expecting the question, Petra leans back against the booth, stretching her arms out along the top of the seat. “Business,” she says simply.
Jesse raises a brow at the suspiciously short answer. “Business,” she echoes.
Lukas smirks. “She’s underselling it.”
Petra rolls her eyes. “It’s just business, Lukas.”
“Yeah, but there’s a reason,” Lukas says, swallowing a bite before looking at Jesse. “She’s got a plan. Been working toward it since high school.”
Jesse looks back at Petra, intrigued. “A plan?”
Petra exhales through her nose, shaking her head lightly before giving Jesse a small, almost sheepish smile. “I uh…I work at a shop. Auto repair. Been there since senior year of high school.”
“She practically owns the place, too,” Lukas chimes in.
Petra shakes her head at that, clearly in disagreement. “The goal is to have my own place.”
Jesse perks up, genuinely impressed. “What? That’s really cool!”
Petra’s ears are a bit red, but her smile visibly widens. “Yeah?”
“Uh, yeah, ” Jesse nods, a smile tugging at her lips. “Mechanical stuff on top of business? That sounds hard. Also,“ she smirks playfully, “that’s way more of a solid plan than I’ve got.”
“You’re a science major,” Petra laughs, “and you literally just said you wanted to start a wildlife refuge.”
Jesse laughs with her, folding her arms on the table and leaning in closer. “Yeah, but that’s just a dream for me right now. You’re already working towards yours.”
Petra only watches her for a moment, taking another slower sip of her coffee. “Whatever you say, Jesse.”
Jesse keeps looking at her, still feeling that same odd pull toward her as her name falls from her lips once more.
After a beat of silence, Lukas suddenly clears his throat, changing the subject. “So, anyways,” he says, setting down his crust and wiping his hands on a napkin. “Petra here is also very modest about how much of a hard-ass she is at that shop.”
Petra’s expression instantly shifts. She groans, rubbing a palm over her eyes. “Don’t start, dude.”
Jesse smirks, intrigued. “Oh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Lukas leans forward, grinning. “It means that she basically walks in there like she owns the place, bosses everyone around and—”
“I do not boss everyone around,” Petra cuts in. “I just get things done.”
Lukas waves a hand. “Sure, sure. But ask any of her coworkers. Half of them are scared of her, and the other half want to be her.”
Petra scoffs, rolling her eyes. But Jesse catches the slight twitch of a smirk at the corner of her lips.
“...I can believe that,” Jesse muses.
Petra looks over challengingly. “Oh really?”
Jesse shrugs, giving her a lopsided grin. She feels comfortable enough to admit this much. “If I’m being honest, you are kind of intimidating at a glance.”
Petra’s gaze softens as she looks at Jesse curiously. Now it's her turn to lean forward, her arms folded over the table. “Intimidating?”
Jesse holds her gaze. “Yeah.”
And then there’s a beat of something. Something subtle, or maybe not so subtle at all, that feels too friendly. Jesse doesn’t even realize it until Lukas speaks up again. “Alright, now I’m feeling left out,” he jokes, throwing an arm over Petra’s shoulders and effectively breaking the moment. He looks at Jesse expectantly. “Are we ganging up on Petra now? Because I can get behind that.”
Petra hums, her smirk sharpening as she pushes Lukas off. “You’re always hoping you can gang up on me with anyone.”
Lukas throws his hands up in mock surrender. "Guilty."
Just like that, the moment passes. Jesse only smiles, finding the two friends' banter more than entertaining. But she still feels something lingering. It’s warm, it’s fuzzy and twisty and new. It's something about Petra.
Jesse blames it on the fact that she's just really, really cool.