It's Not Rocket Science

Chapter 2

"So Friday night. I love a Friday night," James, my long time boyfriend asks as we walk across campus. 

He grabs a hold of my hand. It is enormous, engulfing my own. He towers over me, standing well over 6 foot 5 inches. I won't say I'm a small person at 5'7 myself, but next to his bulky large build, I do feel small. He should have played football, basketball, any thing. He didn't though. 

I love a Friday night, but his idea of an awesome Friday night is not my idea of an Awesome Friday night. Even though I've dropped hints, he either doesn't see them or isn't bothered to care. 

He doesn't have to even ask what to do, I already know. Games and pizza. 

"Want to go over to my place and play a round of mortal combat and pizza?"

Called it. 

Can I even be disappointed when I knew it was coming? I sigh. We have been doing the same routine since Freshman year. It's getting old now that I've graduated. There is always things happening on High Street. But none of those things seem interesting to James.  

I look up at him and see the sparkle in his eyes. He loves this. Probably looks forward to it every night. "Fine. Sure. Let's do it. But next week, let's do something different."

It wouldn't be the first time I said this, but it feels like it falls on deft ears. 

"Of course! You pick the activity next time." He beams, flashing his bright smile that I'm sure his parents spent a pretty penny on then pulls me down the sidewalk, eager to get to his appartment. At least that is clear. 

We walk in silence as the summer heat beat down on us. Campus has a different feel when it's empty. I thought once I graduated I would fly to a far off location, but I found a job here on campus, so here I stay. As I watch my friends graduate and take exciting jobs. 

Although, I won't poop on my job. It is exciting. At least, I think so. Our department isn't large by any means, but working for the College of Engineering, there is always a great idea or some new exciting study. I'm just the one not doing those studies. That makes me wish I got my degree in engineering instead of HR. 

I picked go stay here. I picked OSU because I feel like my time wasn't done yet. While most of my friends are still in school, I'm done, finished. So I cannot say that I'm particularly upset that I stayed here in Columbus. It was a choice, my own. No one made me. It's just sometimes I worry that I made the wrong choice. What if I was supposed to go somewhere grand?

"And how is your new job going? Two weeks in. That seems like a accomplishment," he asks.

"I'm liking in so far. It's interesting," I say to him as someone passes by on a skateboard. 

The conversation I had just before I was picked up by James still stands out. They were talking about AI usage in the classrooms. Since I myself am a freshly graduated worker, they relied heavily on my input. It made me feel important. That I was their special weapon. 

"THat's great."

"Did you ever use AI in your assignments?" I ask him.

He gives a chuckle. "Who doesn't Blair? We live in a modern age. Didn't you use it?" 

I shrug. "Just a little. Cannot say I was heavily reliant on it."

"Well, I think you are an anomaly." 

Maybe I am. I don't want to admit that though. "And how about you? How is job hunting?" I ask, changing the topic. 

Only one more semester and he will be gradated with a fancy business degree. I am almost afraid that he'll be one that leaves me behind. He goes off and lives his dream far from Ohio. It will be a little bit of a slap in the face when he asked me to stay. Let's be clear, I didn't stay for him. But he can believe anything he wants. Maybe it will help him stay.

He shrugs. "I got another interview, but the vibe was off. I didn't really like it. So I told them I wasn't interested and left."

"Mid interview?" I have a hard time keeping my voice level. 

He nods. "Yeah. Not worth wasting my time on that."

His parents are loaded so he's not in any rush to find a job. He wasn't one who worked in college, like myself. He didn't need to quickly find a job once he graduated. Unlike myself who needed a job to pay for bills and start on student loans. 

Once again, it feels like I'm complaining about my job. I really am not trying to. I like it. It's just a little boring sometimes. But I am only a few weeks in. I just need to find my footing. Settle in. The program manager, Lindsay, is supportive of this. She is the one I probably see the most of. Even though I don't directly report to her, I feel like I should. I see her. The program director is someone that I do not see. He is always too busy. Or so it seems like. 

I wonder what he's busy doing. Or why I- the new hire- am not the priority. Lindsay doesn't seem to be bothered by this. She shows me everything and is a huge help. I don't know what I would do without her. 

The night wears on until James is passed out on the couch. Pizza, games, a few drinks with his roommates. It always goes the same. Sometimes he makes it to the bed with me on his heels, sometimes he doesn't. Today is one of those days he hasn't made it. I debate about waking him up to get to bed. It always more comfortable than the cheap college couch that he probably got on facebook marketplace. I don't. Instead, I decide to stay and fall asleep beside him. His steady breathing is comforting, especially after the long week of work. 

I'll probably spend the weekend here. Who knows what tomorrow holds, but at least I do not have to work. My job is only Monday through Friday. Lindsay loves to tell me, 'we arent' saving lives here. Anything that isn't done this week, can be finished next week.' I don't know what other jobs feel like, but I like that work life balance. 

I won't check my email tonight, nor tomorrow or Sunday. We probably won't be doing anything exciting this weekend anyhow. I could check my email if I wanted to. But I dont' Lindsay said I shouldn't. When I roll out of bed on Monday morning, I will work. And Jame will go to class. 

My attention turns to him. He snores lightly. Maybe it won't be bad for him to go away. He could get some culture, learn to do other actives then playing video games. That would make him more exciting. Or take less of the responsibility off me planning fun outings.