“Thanks Eliana. You may be the most thoughtfulfriendI’ve ever had.”
I roll my eyes, and continue responding to emails.
Jake lets out a groan as he flips through his homework,mumbling to himself, “Of course this week is focused on research...”
“Do you have a problem with that?” I bristle, his words clearly hitting a sour spot for me. He wasn’t the first person to tell me they didn’t get why I found research so interesting or wanted to make a career out of it. Normally I would let it go, but something about Jake made me want to push back. Or maybe it was the fact that being up this early messed with my ability to be polite. It was probably that. “Because research is a super important part of our field and is a big reason why we know so much about how humans think, function, and process the world.”
“I know.”
The words come out of my mouth before I can even stop them. Unfortunately for Jake my filter is nonexistent at 6am, “Granted some the early pioneers in the field pushed theories that were either racist, sexist, homophobic or combination of all three, but there are so many incredible researchers today doing groundbreaking work or even sharing small findings can help us make important foreground.”
I expect him to make a snarky comment or roll his eyes at my mini rant but instead the side of his mouth lifts up into a half smile, “I’m very aware about both the shitty history of research and also how important it is. I didn’t mean anything bad by my comments, and I’m sorry if it came off that way.”
“Oh.” Oops. “My bad. I’m a bit crabby before 10 a.m.”
That draws a genuine laugh from him, “Most people are. I’m only used to it because we have some early morning practices. I take it that working at a research assistant is more than just a work-study opportunity for you?”
“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I love tutoring and nannying too. But being a research assistant, getting to work with Violeton projects, that feels different. Feels like it’s a space where I can bring all my questions and ideas to life.”
“So you’re a full-time student who works as a tutor, nanny, and a research assistant?” He sounds equally impressed and surprised.
“Yup. I squeeze in being a human sometimes too,” I joke. Sort of. I sleep. Not anywhere near the recommended 8 hours a night you were supposed to get but enough to constitute more human and less zombie status.
“Have you ever considered taking on less so you’re not overstretching yourself?”
I repeat the same words I’ve said to countless others over the years, words that have basically become my life motto. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
He opens his mouth to rebuttal, but I redirect us back to the task at hand— him homework, me life prepping.
For a second it seems as if he’s going to fight me on it, but instead he takes the paper from my hand and starts working. At least initially. “We’re not done talking aboutyourissues, by the way.” He keeps his eyes locked on the worksheet in front of him.
“Myissues?”
“Yeah, your problem with not letting yourself have a little fun now and then. You don’t always have to put yourself last.”
“That’s like friendship level 6 stuff. We are still on, ‘So how many siblings do you have?’”
“Two. Now, why no fun?”
“I traded in fun for an A in PSYCH101. Now focus.”
He chuckles to himself and thankfully returns to his work.
Chapter 13
Eliana
“Are you sure there’s nothing else I missed?” I stare at the Word document in front of me, waiting for some glaringly obvious mistake to jump out at me.
“I’m positive, Ellie. I’ve looked over your drafts multiple times, and it’s perfect. It’s strong. You’re ready,” Violet reassures me.
“You don’t think I need to buff out my skills section more? Or add another few sentences about my career goals and how this summer internship would get me there?” I feel a tension headache starting to build and I try my best to unclench my jaw.
“Nope. It’s perfect as is. You sent this to Bethany, right?”
“Yes.”
“And what did she say?”
