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Nic was finally starting to adjust to college and realize that nursing school was not going to be an easy task over the next four years. Oddly enough, she wondered if the change of seasons helped that. She’d moved in and started classes in August, along with thousands of college students across the country, when she was still wearing shorts and a tank top with her hair pulled up to keep her comfortable in the high humidity. It was a minor detail, but it made the start of her new chapter feel more carefree. She was having fun making new friends and trying local restaurants, or going to the foam party on the quad. Who had time to think about class with something new to do every minute of orientation weekend?
Of course, as her dad reminded her when she called him crying after her first week of class, overwhelmed by her required lab times, the several pages of nightly reading, and exams to study for during the semester, college is not just one big party. She had to learn how to balance fun and time with her friends with her coursework, as the reason she was in college was to learn the skills that would make her a successful nurse, not to socialize 24/7. (Although he didn’t discourage her from doing so once she was caught up on her work or just felt like she needed a break from studying, as long as she had a plan to dive back in.)
Now, her wardrobe had shifted to her light fall jacket and a pair of jeans with her favorite, broken-in but comfortable Converse she’d been wearing since junior year of high school. Not to mention she had a new favorite study spot: under a tree on the side lawn of her dorm. She was surprised no one else had discovered this quiet, comfortable spot, but at the same time, there wasn’t a lot of room to be social like there was on the quad or around a table at the Starbucks in the library. She also figured that if her classmates were going to study in their dorm, they preferred the privacy of their room or to go to the study lounge where others would be just as focused on their work, creating a peaceful environment.
Sure, the weather could be unpredictable, but otherwise, the tree was the perfect spot for her. She didn’t mind overhearing conversations as other students walked by or even any music coming from an open window, as long as it wasn’t overly loud. She had always been able to tune out distractions like that and worry only about the book in front of her or her assignment due dates.
Just as she opened her chemistry book, trying to make sure she had all her highlights prepared for her lab that day, she heard someone cough. For some reason, that momentarily distracted her, and she turned to see a blonde-haired guy sit down on the other side of the tree.
Is my secret out? she wondered. She hadn’t really told anyone but her friend Jessica where she studied, and Jessica didn’t seem like she had any reason to give away Nic’s secret or take away from her quiet time.
OK, well, all of a sudden, this doesn’t feel right. What if this guy is a stalker? Has someone been following me? Should I worry?
At first, she pretended she hadn’t heard anything and tried to go back to reading, but curiosity got the better of her. She looked around the side of the tree where the guy was sitting. He appeared to be reading an anatomy textbook but was listening to headphones and alternatively checking his phone for new text messages. He doesn’t seem very studious, she observed, before reminding herself that he could be waiting on a call from home or from a potential internship site, or anything important, really.
But just as she decided to mind her own business, he looked up from his book and took off his headphones. “You know, I felt like someone was watching me,” he said. “Did I intrude?”
“In a way, yes. This is my secret spot, but I guess it isn’t any longer, so I’m a little disappointed about that. However, I have a younger sister at home, so if I have to share, I guess I can live with that. Not to mention I have a roommate here anyway.”
“Oh, well, I hate to be an inconvenience. It was too nice of a day to study in the library, and I live in this dorm myself. What floor are you on?”
“Sixth,” she answered. “What about you?”
“Seventh. So, you’re right below me.”
“OK, so I’m not even going to go into the possible connotation or subliminal message you’re trying to send if that’s your idea of flirting. Anyway, maybe we should just try not to let too many other people know about this spot. Next time someone comes, we’ll just tell them there are plenty of other trees on campus.”
“That sounds good to me. I like being in charge and bossy. So, who are you?”
“You’re also very forward and don’t have a lot of manners.” Nic replied. But she held out her hand and smiled. “I’ll forgive you, though, since you’re clearly trying to impress me. I’m Nic. Well, Nicolette, but I hate being called that.”
“Conrad. No nicknames or anything like that. Just me, but you could always call me Hawkins if you forget my first name. Are you a freshman?”
“Yeah. What about you?”
“A sophomore, actually. I’m pretty impressed with myself for coming back for another year. But I’m pre-med, and there’s nothing I want more than to be a doctor. Even with all the things that can go wrong with a patient, I still believe it’s the best job in the world. Constantly being challenged. Don’t have to sit behind a desk all day. No such thing as working 9-5. I know it’s not a popular opinion unless you’re intentionally seeking out the healthcare field, but I’m pretty excited to work the night shift and be on call, just waiting to hear that someone else needs my help.”
“OK, that’s pretty admirable. Especially because I’m a nursing major.”
“Nice!” Conrad smiled at her. “So maybe someday we’ll be colleagues. What made you want to be a nurse?”
“It’s cliche, but the opportunity to make a difference. When I was younger, my mom died from some undetected health issues…well, ones that the doctor didn’t catch until it was too late. I think that was the better saying. Her death tore my family apart, and my dad’s never been the same. Even then, I decided to be a nurse because I believed that even if I could make a difference for one person, whether being a calming presence while their family member is dying or noticing something that I can bring up to a doctor that will save the patient’s life, then I’ve done my job. And I really want a job where I can form relationships with people, but not just for the sake of networking or setting up a business deal. Like real relationships where you get to connect with someone and understand their fears and celebrate their joys. Not to mention, nurses never seem to have trouble finding jobs. Ever since my mom died, I’ve been seeking some stability, and I think this is the way to do it.”
“Trying to take control even when you can’t. I like that.” Conrad said. “Being a leader is part why I can’t wait to work in medicine myself. I don’t even see myself going into residency at a hospital straight away; I want to be a military doctor first. A lot of people in these war-torn countries end up victims through no fault of their own; I want to help them even when everything around them is scary as shit. And at the same time, I’ll be able to help my fellow soldiers hang on to fight another day. Besides, going into the military will really get me out of my comfort zone. And I get how you feel about not having a great family life; my mom died when I was younger too. My dad and I aren’t close at all, and I’m an only child.”
“Sorry to hear that. But it sounds like your heart is in the right place.”
“So is yours.”
He slid over to her side of the tree so they were sitting closer together. “Need any study help?” he asked.
“Are you good at chemistry?”
“I’m not too sure about that. I prefer my A&P and psychology courses; chemistry I’ve had to work a little harder at. But I’ll see what I can do, or we can just study separately but together…work on our own thing on opposite sides.”
“Maybe with a coffee or lunch date thrown in afterwards?” she suggested. “I mean, I appreciate the partnership, but if we just sat together and read silently, then got up and left, that would be almost boring. You seem like you’re looking for a little more than that.”
“How did you guess?” He laughed. “You know, even if we’re not great with scientific chemistry, I think we’re clicking pretty well here.”
“That’s a bad pickup line, but since I agree, I’ll forgive you.”
She smiled at Conrad. “I’m really glad I met you. It’s hard not to feel lost sometimes as a freshman, but you’ve made it a lot easier just by sitting down and talking to me. I know we’re not on the same path, but I’ll take any help in class or new friends that may be available. Why don’t you say we continue this outside of class first and study later?”
“I definitely want to spend some time with someone who’s willing to put off homework for a little bit. And hey, if I can help you with any tips on adjusting to college or what the best lunch specials are in the dining hall, or anything else you think of, just say it.”
With that, she stood up from under the tree and they started walking towards the on-campus Chick-Fil-A. She definitely felt like she had a lot to learn from Conrad, and maybe she could show him a thing or two about being more down to Earth, even if she did like his outer confidence.
Maybe sharing her favorite study spot wasn’t the worst thing in the world.