“That’s awesome, what are you studying?” Hanna asked.
Maya felt her gut unclench and then felt a little guilty at her assumption.
“I’m studying business for practical purposes, but double majoring in writing for sanity.. Also doing a minor in sociology and really love it.”
“No surprise, you’re an overachiever,” Lily teased, but again, Maya didn’t detect any malice in her voice.
“Well, maybe, but while I’d like to think I am brave enough to take a stab at being a writer, I also need to eat, so hoping business helps with that. And sociology was a happy accident. It’s challenging, but fascinating.”
“Yeah I'm taking a bunch of soc too, because of my minor. I’m majoring in public policy—and I’m premed.”
“Well shit, I am surrounded by some smart women. Ilove it.”The way Lily said it, Maya believed her and felt herself blush.
“Yeah I want to provide medical care for underserved communities, especially now, given everything,” Hanna said.
Maya and Lily nodded in understanding.
“Soulful, love it, and here I am using my brains to feed myself,” Maya said.
“I mean, being able to feed oneself is important, as my parents like to remind me all the time when I tell them about my plans,” Hanna laughed bitterly.
“They want you to…” Lily asked.
“Go to a top med school and become a top surgeon and make top dollar,” Hanna laughed. “Sometimes I think it's ironic I was adopted, Asian parent stereotypes and all.”
“Well good luck with that, has to be tough,” Maya said.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel like I owe them because they’re my parents butevenmore so because they’re myadoptiveparents. Who knows what my life would look like without them?”
“That’s kinda true for all of us, no matter what,” Lily added, and Hanna momentarily looked lost in thought.
“Yeah well, maybe, I only know what it’s like to be me,” Hanna said eventually.
“I think Lily is just saying, that’s a lot of pressure on yourself,” Maya said, but because she didn’t want to makeHanna feel like she was on an afterschool special, she added, “Hope it goes well with your own clinic.”
“Thanks, maybe we could hang out some time,” Hanna smiled.
“Whoa, I’m jealous!” Lily mock-pouted.
“No you’re not,” Hanna said, rolling her eyes.
“You don’t know that?” Lily quipped.
“Wait, do you go to school?” Maya turned to Lily.
“Oh well,” Lily’s face flushed slightly, “I’m meant to take over the business, so I have a job waiting for me after graduation. And it is totally a privilege, but I got to study what I like–art. Ceramics mostly, though I do some design work for shits and giggles, and some extra cash.”
When they entered the treehouse, Maya had picked up on the standalone ceramic sculptures Hanna had deemed “highbrow art” situated around the space.
“Did you make everything in here?” Maya asked, impressed.
“Yep, though a lot of what’s in here is from high school. I give away a lot of my finished pieces to different organizations who engage youth with art and whatnot.”
“Okay philanthropist over here,” Maya said smiling, trying to throw some of Lily’s quips back at her.
“Oh no way, it’s so I get a good reaction on all my first dates,” Lily said smiling and then slightly biting her bottom lip.
“Oh yeah? And does it usually work?” Maya asked, glancing down at Lily’s lips and then back up to her navy blue eyes.
