This Sort of Friendship

[Charlie Jarrett]

Did she just call her slow? Charlie playfully scowled. "You calling me slow over there?" She returned. "And we'd definitely make it to breakfast. And we'd be going at an actually moderate pace, instead of dashing like chickens with their heads cut off." It was a weird comparison. One's she'd learned from her dad, but liked. Besides, it was accurate in this instance. That and Charlie had to retort to that. It was almost a game now.

Ruth responded. Charlie just snorted. But she was smiling when she got into her stall. She loved moments like these. Not necessarily the shower part, but this banter. It was nice to have it with someone other than her father. It just meant Charlie could do something social. that she could actually make friends. Wouldn't her dad be so proud. Although most of those warm thoughts fled from her mind once the freezing water hit her skin. Charlie could feel the chill radiating off the water. It was almost felt like it was sucking away heat. She also noticed Ruth laughing at her.

"Hey! We go to a fancy as hell school with academics better than basically any university out there." Charlie pointed out as she set the knob to max heat. Hopefully it would warm it up faster. "So sorry if I expect the facilities to be on par with that. As in, say, having hot water readily available!"

[Ruth Mason]

A question. Was she calling her slow? Ruth chose not to answer. She smiled instead. Until Charlie added on. Saying they were dashing like chickens without heads. Ruth rolled her eyes. "Trust me, we'd be going a lot faster if that was the truth." The statement was a little silly. Ruth almost called her out on that. But she understood it. Instead Ruth went to her shower. Charlie provided more entertainment anyways.

She pointed out the school they were going to. How much better it was. It really was towards the top. Charlie added how she expected the facilities to be the same. How hot water should be readily available. "Well, if you weren't awake before, you are now. And cold showers are supposed to be good for you, Charlie." She was grinning while she said it. Ruth doubted it would take long to warm up the water. Even now, hers was starting to get hotter.

[Charlie Jarrett]

A lot faster huh? "Well sorry I'm not Usain Bolt or anything." She muttered. Charlie doubted Ruth would hear her. Although she'd surprised her before. Not that Charlie really cared in this case. She was far more concerned with the water. And how long it would take for it to heat up. Which hopefully wouldn't be long. Especially with Ruth laughing at her. And pointing out how the cold shower should be good for her. "Yeah I think by cold they meant pleasantly cold and not freezing Ruth. Nice try."

The water started to slowly warm up. Charlie was impatient. The sweat was starting to cool. Now she was shivering just waiting around. Eventually she just jumped in. It was warm enough. Still cold, but much better than what she initially had. "Stupid things." She mumbled under her breath. Still, it felt good to clean off. She stayed silent for a while before speaking up again. "You don't have an early class, right?" She called over the stalls. It was a little harder to hear under the water.

[Ruth Mason]

She muttered something. This time Ruth couldn't catch it. She doubted it was important. It was probably a quip. Like the next words to leave Charlie's mouth. Words Ruth could actually hear. Pleasantly cold instead of freezing. Ruth laughed. "Drat. Thought I had you with that one." It was a tease. A joke.

Silence reigned again. Charlie had muttered. Something about the showers. Then nothing. Ruth gladly let it fall. She focused on her shower. It was cold but refreshing. Good in getting the grim from her skin. She'd shampooed and started on her conditioner when Charlie spoke up again. A question. She didn't have early classes? "No." She ran her head under the water. "You do though, don't you?"

[Charlie Jarrett]

Had she actually used the word drat? Charlie snorted and laughed herself. But then came the silence and she focused on cleaning herself off. Once the water got warmer, it actually felt good. Charlie could enjoy it. The blissful feeling of being warm. it was managing to make Charlie feel sleepy. Although that might also be from the run tiring her out. Hopefully she wouldn't fall asleep during class. Even if they could get boring.

Ruth didn't have an early class. but didn't Charlie? She immediately froze. She did today, didn't she? "...Shit." Suddenly the peaceful shower turned into a hurried one. Yes, she did have an early class today. As well as a paper due. One that seriously needed some editing. Editing Charlie had meant to do yesterday but held off on. Because of course Charlie hadn't forgotten she'd promised to go running and needed to do the paper.

"Ruth I have to go!" Charlie called out, flying through her shampoo and conditioner. She barely turned the water off before running from the shower. It was a wonder she didn't trip. "Can't do breakfast, I'd got a paper." She added, quickly toweling off. She threw her clothes on and locked her locker before hurrying for the door. Her hair was still fairly wet. If Charlie had cared, she was sure she looked like a mess. "I'll see you later!" And like that, Charlie was gone.