Chapter 2: Chapter 2

CARLO [11.01PM]

“Running late, be there in 5”

The time now is 1.06, so he should be here right around-

"Julianna-banana!" I hear and I watch Carlo's large frame come striding over. I stand up and give him a quick hug, excited to see him again. He was the only person in the world that called me that.

"Hey Carlo.' I smile and he pulls back with a grin. He'd changed his hair and shaved the awful mustache he used to have. He used to say it was what brought the laddies in, and he wasn't wrong, girls did seem to follow him around.

"You look good, what's been going on?" He asks and I shrug.

"Not too much, go grab your coffee and we'll chat.' I insist and he smiles, heading off to the counter.

He comes back to the table a few minutes later, he has a huge mug of coffee and he sits down, pulling off his old flannel. "What'd you get?" I ask.

"A black drip coffee, where's yours?"

"They're making it still." I shrug, looking up at the counter to see the woman fighting with the espresso machine. "No big deal, I just couldn't drink something warm."

"It's definitely toasty." He agrees, taking a sip of the black coffee. "So, how have you been, how was your co-op?"

"It was pretty good, I learned a lot and everything!' He shrugs.

I hadn't been keeping good enough tabs with Carlo, he'd been busy and so had I. We weren't super close friends to begin with, but we'd really faded off into the background of each others' lives.

"They offered me a starting position in two weeks.”

"What?" I ask, with a grin and he nods. "That's so awesome, congrats!"

"It's pretty cool, you do this degree and suddenly you're qualified to do a job." He laughs and I roll my eyes with a laugh. "I still can't believe I graduated."

"I always forget we're not in the same year.' I shrug. "So what's your plan?"

"I'm moving back to New York in a few days.' He admits and I raise my eyebrows. "Your timing to try and arrange a hang-out was well-timed!'

"You're leaving!' I repeat and he nods. "Wow, that's big."

"I know." He shrugs. "I think I'm ready to get out of here though.'

"I don't blame you for that." I admit and the woman from the counter finally comes along to give me my drink. I poke the straw into the beverage, mixing it around with the ice. I wasn't devastated about that, I understood it and Carlo and I had never been super close, especially after our philosophy class ended.

"Well what's been up with you?" He asks, changing the topic and I clear my throat.

"Not too much, you know I'm boring!' I mutter and he laughs. "I'm doing an honors thesis.'

"Wow, an honor?" He mumbles and I nod. "What program are you in again?"

"History, with a focus on early modern studies." I remind him and he nods.

I tried so hard not to be one of those Brown University archetypes that had random face piercings, wore too many colors and who would raise their hands an unnecessary amount of times in lectures to try and look smart. I was head down, but studying something interesting that I loved.

"So what's your thesis?" He asks and I shrug.

"I'm still developing it with my prof still, but it's about sexism and its timeline through early civilizations."

"Sounds heavy." He shrugs, leaning back, running a hand through his thick sandy hair. "You still work at the Coleman pool?"

I got a job in my first year as a lifeguard at the school's fitness center pool. I had my certification and I figured I might as well use it to get an on-campus job. I usually did it around my class schedule and mostly guarded lanes and leisure swims.

"Sure do, I just got promoted last month?' I pretend to brag and he laughs.

"Cool." He shrugs. "You look different?' He remarks and I try not to get too excited.

I'd managed to shed some of my extra weight, not a ton, but enough that I liked the way I looked. Not to mention my hair had grown since he'd last seen me and I had my summer tan. Also, the times Carlo and I hung out I was wearing my homeless-chic look, my old jeans and warm sweaters with beat up sneakers. Today I'd actually had a proper night's sleep, some simple makeup and I'd done my hair.

"I think it's just the summer and all, the depression finally rolling off of me.' I tease and he chuckles. "You look different too, but you look different every time I see you."

"I know, my girlfriend hated the moustache so I called it quits.' He shrugs and I furrow my eyebrows.

"Did you get back together with Kayla?" I ask, trying to remember his old girlfriend's name.

"No, I have a new girl in Jersey.' He explains and I nod. Carlo was a ladies man at his core, he had awful philosophies on dating and relationships and an endless list of numbers in his phone. He's the sort of man I'd never try to get into a relationship with, he was kind of a walking red flag. "Her name's Emma, I told her I had to go home to sort some stuff out here first.'

"What's she like?"

"She's nice, tall, and fun." He shrugs and I roll my eyes. "Who've you been seeing?"

"Absolutely no one.' I informed him. "I live at home, my parents' bedroom is right next to mine and I don't have a car. Those aren't great circumstances to look for a date."

To be honest, I couldn't really care less if I was dating someone or not. It didn't affect my life in any sort of way, I was too busy to date anyway.

"When was the last time you went out with someone?" He asks and I furrow my eyebrows.

"I don't know.'

"And you still live at home? Juls, it's been two years, I can't believe you haven't left."

"I can't.' I insist. "I can't pay rent on a place down here alone and I like being home.' I defend, crossing my legs and slumping back in my chair.

In truth, I did like being home. I loved my mom and dad, even my irritating little brother Jesse. I liked eating home-cooked meals that I didn't need to prepare, Scrabble night, and watching The Great British Bake-Off with my mom. I just hated the commute.

"You need to move out.' He tells me and I roll my eyes, no shit, Carlo.

"I know that' I sigh. "But it's not so bad it's just the bus.'

"The bus that takes you like an hour to get to campus?" He challenges. "Look Juls, your backpack always looks like it weighs a hundred pounds, you don't sleep. I haven't seen you for months and I can tell the semester is over and has done a lot of good for your mental health."

"And what am I supposed to do about that?" I ask. "I know all of that, but this is the way it is. No one's looking for roommates.' I huff, leaning back in the chair and bitterly picking up my glass and sipping my drink.

I don't know if I'm adult enough to take it on anyway, I never have my shit together and I don't know if I could support my cost of living.

"Wait." He tells me, getting this weird look in his eyes and he pulls out his phone. "I have the perfect solution for your problem and mine.'