Spin Cycle

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

        I FOUND THAT in nearly freezing weather in November Michigan, a pair of sweatpants and an oversized grey hoodie wasn't really the best outfit for warding off cold temperatures. How in the world had it managed to get so cold? When I had walked to the laundromat, it might have been in the high fifties, and even then my clothes were barely retaining my heat. But now, with the temperatures most likely below thirty five? I was freezing, to put it simply.

        I was definitely grateful that Haruki had tossed an extra shoe my way.

        The only thing that was even slightly warming me was the Big Mac I clutched between my greedy little hands. My hunger was far from satiated, and I was already one-third through the outrageously huge burger, but just in case I was still hungry, there was a large fry in the McDonald's bag tucked under my arm.

        I took another heartwarming bite of the sandwich, trying to forget the pure fat and processed preservatives I was actually eating. The heat blossomed through my esophagus, enveloping my chest in a fiery dynamic.

        Or was that heartburn?

        Either way, I was content to be somewhat warm in the relatively chilling weather. I was walking up Nolan, heading straight for the Clover dorms where I knew in room 332, my roommate Florence Baker would be waiting.

        By the time I reached the door to my room, the Big Mac was half gone and the fries were half finished. I tucked the bag below my elbow and dug my key out of my pocket so I could unlock the door. As I stepped inside, I tried to anticipate what new scent I would smell today.

        A blast of Snow Pea or Sunshine Mist had been attacking my olfactory system since the day I had moved into room 332. Florence was a girl who strongly believed in perfume, and she had developed an entire method for the application and prolonging of the smell down to a science. 

        She had tried to present her perfume thesis to me once.

        Only once.

        I, to say the least, was not a girl who especially cared about such trivial things as perfume. College, in my mind, existed for one purpose only, and that purpose was to learn. I wanted to graduate, and I wanted to do well in life. Spending time on little things like how I smelt? Not the most important of my priorities. Anyway, I wouldn’t rest easy knowing that my substantial pile of debt was growing while I was sniffing scents. My grades were bad enough as it was because of my forgetfulness.

        Once I walked in, I realized today was a flower day, and as I tried to pinpoint exactly which flower, Florence jumped off of her cot and bustled over to me. And yes, "bustling" was the exact word to describe how she moved. Her gait reminded me of that of a kindly old aunt, or a nice elderly grandmother.

        Upon reaching me, she cupped my face with her dangerously long nails and murmured, "Marla, darling, it's absolutely, positively freezing out there. And you were only wearing a sweatshirt?"

        I sighed and kicked the door shut behind me, slowly extricating Florence’s hands from my cold cheeks. The McDonald's bag landed on my desk, and I landed in my chair, furiously blowing warm air into my cupped hands.

        Florence rushed around me to the fast food bag and looked inside. "Oh, Marla, are you eating fast food? Also known as the work of the devil? These are just chemicals processed in a factory, my dear." She shook her head almost pityingly. "They are absolutely, positively horrendous for you. And all the carbs! Marla, we'll have to get you exercising pronto! Tomorrow you can come to sunrise yoga with me, and after lunch you may accompany me to tai chi; is that alright with your schedule?"