Chapter Text
Eliza isn’t sure what it is, but there’s something so much better about studying in Maria’s room. Possibly the snacks, or the fact that Maria’s roommate, Marty, is never in. Not that Theo isn’t a nice person, she is. But she’s also fluent in three different languages and considering Eliza is still stumbling her way through Spanish 101, she can’t help but feel like she’s being judged at times.
“What? Were you raised in a barn?” Startled, Eliza looks up just in time to catch Maria’s eye roll. “Shoes off if you’re going to lay on the bed.”
Once her shoes are where they belong on the ground, she returns to lying on her stomach, staring blankly at the rectangles of white against the pink of Maria’s comforter. “I was going to say sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t remember how to.”
“Lo siento? Maybe?” Maria chews on her bottom lip for a moment before shrugging. “Close enough, anyway.”
Lo Siento. Eliza tucks that into her memory for safe keeping. Flips the page on her textbook and munches idly on pretzels as she does. There’s a test next week and she knows that she’s not ready for it. Isn't sure that she ever will be, at this rate. But while part of her wants to grouse at how unfair it is that a second language is required for her major, she also knows how useful knowing Spanish will be when she starts her career. Knows she should be grateful for the chance to learn it now rather than stumbling her way through in a few years.
By hour two of studying, she’s tempted to snag the fur pillow she tossed on the floor when she called the bed. Sleep is beckoning her, especially given how comfortable she is. The clacking sound of Maria pushing back from her desk is the only warning that Eliza gets before the woman flops across her legs. “Not that I don’t find chem enthralling, but I’m ready to go get pizza. You in?”
As if there was ever a bad time for pizza. It takes them both a moment to gather shoes and jackets, not to mention double check that they have their id cards, but after that, they’re on their way to the dining hall.
It’s just late enough in the semester to be pretty outside, not too hot, but not yet at risk for snow or sleet. Eliza’s able to comfortably shove her sleeves up to her elbows as they walk, chatting idly about the coming weekend.
Maria’s toying with the idea of going on a third date with some guy named James or possibly going home for the weekend. Or rather, she’s toying with the idea of going home for the weekend to avoid going on a date with James.
“Couldn’t you just tell him no and stay here?” Eliza asks as she follows Maria to the pizzeria.
The question earns her a shrug. “Maybe. He’s a bit clingy? I’d prefer to have a concrete reason so that he doesn’t start in on the whole ‘well if you don’t want to go on a date, maybe we could just hang around your dorm’ thing.”
“Ew.” Eliza snags a slice of cheese pizza for her plate. “You could always tell him that you have plans. Namely Me.”
“Sounds delightful.” There’s a teasing hint to her tone, complemented by a wiggling of eyebrows that makes Eliza laugh. “But no, a girls’ weekend sounds really nice actually. Watch some Disney movies, maybe make breakfast. Marty has a waffle iron that she said I could use whenever.”
“Then it’s a deal. You can’t see him because you need to spend time with your dear old friend Eliza. Who is very depressed because-” The woman at the register takes her ID and then Maria’s, giving her time to think of a reason- “She’s going to fail Spanish at this rate.”
“You’ll do fine,” Maria reassures her as they find a table. “You’re just brain dead from studying so much lately.”
“Easy for you to say.” It’s a write-off, even though she knows Maria has a point. There’s just so much pressure that comes with being a Schuyler sister, and even if her family hasn’t openly protested it, she can feel the disapproval. Angelica off at Brown to become a lawyer, and here she is at some state school with plans to become a teacher. Not exactly fulfilling the family legacy.
It’s a ramble that Maria has listened to more than once. As a first generation college student, their struggles are vastly different, but they've always done well at listening to one another.
“Enough of that, though, what about you? Anything new with your love life?”
Eliza goes to shake her head and then realizes that maybe Maria can help her out. “So uh, there’s this guy in my sociology class? Alex. And I’m pretty sure he likes me. And I think he might be planning on asking me out.”
That gets Maria’s attention, elbows on the table, chin resting on her folded hands as she leans forward. “Aw. Is Eliza finally going to get a boyfriend?”
“Maybe? I’ve never dated? And I’m not sure if I’ll like it.”
Especially not when she uses Maria’s experience as a jumping point. James is too clingy, and though Maria hasn’t said it outright- sounds a bit controlling as well. Aaron had been the complete opposite. Distant to the point that Maria had spent the entire two months they dated wondering if he actually liked her. There were others too, though none that Maria stayed with long enough for Eliza to learn their names.
And Alex? Eliza gets the feeling he’s more James than Aaron. Bright and opinionated, with a habit of talking too fast when he gets excited, of steamrolling discussions with passion rather than logic. Not that he isn’t sweet, because he is. He makes her laugh, even if he’s a little crude at times.
She’s just not sure how many of her reservations are about dating in general versus dating him.
Something Maria has a solution for. “What if I dated you?”
“Maria-” Eliza gives her friend a look- “You’re a girl? And what about James?”
Neither of her concerns seem to mean much to Maria. “I can do better than him. And so what if I’m a girl? It’s not like we’ll be really dating. Just… exposing you to what it’s like to date.”
When Eliza doesn’t appear sold, Maria tries again. “Look, it’s a no-expectations chance to figure out if dating is for you without having to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings. What do you say? Be my girlfriend?”