Page 25 of Petite Fleur

I know it's simple and likely didn't put him out, but it's such a sweet gesture. Nobody has ever gone out of their way to make my life better.

I wish I knew more about him so I could find him and properly thank him, but all I know is that he obviously makes more than I ever will and that his name is Leon.

Okay, that's not true. I also know that he's a bit of a clean freak.

His entire cart was filled with bleach, sponges, and rubber gloves.

At least I know his house smells nice.

I also know I've bumped into him near campus twice now, so he must live or work around here.

I'm betting he's a professor, maybe English literature.

Wait, no. I bet he does something really cool, like engineering.

Either way, he looks smart, and he smells wonderful.

Like some kind of spicy cologne, maybe some leather, and an expensive bourbon.

He smells like all man and sin.

I could picture us having deep conversations about conspiracy theories, the universe, or politics in front of a fireplace or at some fancy marble table.

Shoot, why am I thinking like this?

There is no way that Professor Hottie even gave me a second glance.

No, he saw a pathetic and poor college girl about to survive solely on cabbage and potatoes for a week and took pity on her.

He saw me crawling around on the ground like a moron and decided to interfere just as any decent human would do.

I'm just a charity case.

I'm not eye candy for a successful and attractive older man; that's not how my life goes.

I'm not sure how my life will go, but I don't think I'm fortunate enough to be swept off my feet by a wealthy older man.

I need to get that fantasy out of my head before I set myself up for disappointment.

Chapter 9

Maeve Henderson

So, I spent my Thanksgiving break just as I'd imagined.

I gorged myself on cabbage, vegan sausage, and peppers the entire time. I also drank far too much apple cider and binged out on popcorn in front of the TV like an actual college student.

It gave me the chance to get done all of the little things that I never have the time or energy to do; like painting my nails, giving myself a facial, taking an everything shower, and I even planted the heads of my cabbage in the small windowsill garden I got for my birthday last year.

While I like my alone time, I'm lonely.

I know I'm an outcast of the group and that I'm not the best at meeting people, but I like being around others.

Even if I'm just sitting with them and they're all talking around me, it feels better than the silence that echoes all around me every other day.

I wanted to get a hold of Shelby and see if she had some free time over the holiday, but she looks like the type to have two loving parents.

She looks like the type who had somewhere to go for Thanksgiving and people who would miss her if she didn't make an appearance.