Is that a churro behind ya ear?
Summer 2021, Week 4
Monday midday
St. Maria University, City Centre
Zara Babette Suha
College students are creatures of vices: sex, drugs, alcohol, and blessedly, food. As she and both students tended to scrape their finances by the skin of their teeth, Zara was incredibly grateful for the cluster of cheap food trucks conglomerated around the campus. She tried to not visit too often and remain inconspicuous when she did steal, but frankly, as a person of eighth-grade-boy-impulse-control, it was always an occasion when it did happen. This time, she could actually pay for it since the grocery store had slapped a trio of Benjamins into her hand yesterday, and she felt like splurging. So maybe it wasn't the wisest choice to be double-fisting two burritos (c'mon, carne asada and jerk chicken?) with a churro tucked behind her ear like a pencil. And maybe it wasn't all that subtle to have some sort of trendy hipster mac-and-cheese on a stick just... poking out of her pocket. Totally rawdogged, no sort of wrapping, because that would imply foresight. At this point, the clearly dripping contents of her zipped-up left jacket pocket was probably better left not discussed. The intestinal thunderstorm this may have caused in others was of little concern of Zara, so while she was self conscious about running into people and human conversation, the food was not really a problem. She was currently instead ruminating about the severe number of catastrophic sewer-grate incidents there was a distinct possibility she could run into on the bike ride back home.Tiana Walker
Her heels clicked rhythmically as she walked down the pathway just out of class. It was the only one for the day and it got out while the sun was still up. Plus class always gave her an excuse to look good. Girl, like we need a damn excuse. Today it was classy, a nice long grey plaid skirt and a white short sleeve blouse, leaving portions of her arms and legs bare to soak in the sweet sunlight that gave her so much energy. Finish a text to Travis, her date for the night--His name is Travis, right?--she slipped her phone back into her clutch and enjoyed the walk. The sunglasses let her look around while pretending to ignore all the stares she got from girls and guys alike. Most wanted her, wanted to be her, or wanted her dead. Keep wanting, sweeties. Ain't gonna happen either of three ways. There was one who caught her eye. Most likely due to the combination of Tiana not having breakfast that day and being hungry, the girl walking towards her, and the state of her...situation, Tiana felt the urge, nay, the need to ask. Ask what? Hell if she knew, but asks something. Is there something...dripping out--Oh lord. She pushed her glasses up and made eye contact with the girl. Her sunset orbs locked and her path already swerving a bit. "I have to ask..." Her slightly southern accented voice rang out, as did the looks of disappointment from those around them that they weren't chosen to be addressed. "I can understand being hungry, but you have to tell me what exactly is going on here, sweetie. Is that a churro behind ya ear?"Zara Babette Suha
What's going on? Zara looked around wildly as Tiana addressed her, assuming some sort of meteor impact or rogue gerbil attack. Just as quickly as she dispelled her paranoia about small mammals, it was immediately redirected it to the possibility that dear God, she's right! and the churro could DEFINITELY fall from this precarious position. Which was totally what Tiana was talking about, because that was totally going to happen at this rate! Everyone would be staring in the event of that possibility, which was a terrifying thought. Zara found this to be sound reasoning, and so with a relieved sigh she addressed Tiana with a weary, 'Mondays, right?' kind of smile. "Oh fuck," she sighed, grabbing the churro with a free finger and wielding it alongside Burrito #1, (the carne asada, for anyone who cared about Zara's rankings). "You're right, I didn't even think of that," not that she was able to read minds-- she just assumed Tiana was also talking about the distinct possibility the churro could fall on the ground and be used to power up the rogue gerbils from earlier. "Should probably hold this a little better," mumbling, she gave a half-hearted laugh, and then glanced around wildly for a split second to make sure she wasn't drawing too much attention. "Who knows what could happen, right? You're a real lifesaver."Tiana Walker
Her eyes took in the vast amount of food again before moving back the girl. Sadly for the girl, attention was being drawn. Luckily for her, it was all on Tiana for the most part. "Next time I think a tray might be more beneficial, dontcha think?" She said, finding the situation a bit of a lift after a serious class. "Where did you get that from? The trucks outside school? I would kill for a burrito right now." She took a step closer, that subtle intimidation slipping through. "Or you could be a dear and share half? I'll treat ya next time."Zara Babette Suha
She glanced down to her burrito(s). Hunger tugged in her stomach, and she gnawed on her lower lip, considering her options. On one hand, if she gave Tiana the burrito, she would have one half less of a burrito. On the other hand, there were a lot of people who seemed to fixate on this girl-- which, in all fairness... yeah, Zara gets it-- and she hated the staring. She wasn't feeling threatened by Tiana, but she was by the crowds. What if they realized she wasn't who she said she was? What if they thought she was crazy? What if she was outed as an Evo and everyone HATED her? What if she tripped and fell trying to run away and she trips just right to crack her skull open and- "Oh," Zara shrugs, feigning nonchalance, "yeah, here you go." However, she did give Tiana the remains of her jerk chicken burrito, just because it was her second favorite, and she was a little irritated. These were her burritos. Bought with those stinkin' Benjamins she slaved away as a bagger for, only to be swiped by an everyday Regina George. "Um," she glanced around wildly, "uh. I would appreciate like... three bucks. If you got it. I'm a little short on cash. This was going to be dinner," which wasn't strictly true, because the remains of the burrito were going to be dinner, but still.Tiana Walker
Blinking slowly, she took the burrito. This is a development. She didn't actually expect to get the burrito. Really she was just having fun with the new girl she met. Her manicured fingers wrapping around the impromptu lunch, she smiled. "I like you." Reaching her free hand into her purse, she pulled out a $20 and handed it to the other girl. "Looks like a bit of a nervous wreck but tryin to be nice. Not my style but it looks good on you." Taking a careful, almost too proper, bit of the burrito, she said as she started walking, "Find me sometime and I'll take ya to a better dinner. Name's Tiana."Storyteller
The two women exchange names, with Zara introducing herself to the queen of the school--self proclaimed as it may be. Zara, already uncomfortable with the attention she was getting from the audience who stared at Tiana like a goddess settled down around them, quickly tried to make her escape. Taking the money, she smiled and brushed her hair before telling Tiana she'd see her around. Tiana for her part let her new prey escape. It was no fun to chase them down on the first day. Better to work her up towards it. Fun for the day done, she took a bite of her burrito and continued her journey back to her dorm.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 12, 2021
Authors
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