Coming Up Roses

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered, a familiar feeling on the first day of a new school year. Sophomore year of college. You'd think I'd be a seasoned pro by now, but the mix of excitement and nerves still hit me.
I poured a bowl of cereal, munching as I debated my outfit. Pink puff-sleeve top and mom jeans it was. Confident and cute. My curling iron lay neglected, sacrificed for time, as I pulled my hair into a ponytail.
"Hey! You look so pretty, I love your shirt!" Maddie greeted, stepping out of the bathroom.
"Morning! You too," I smiled, glancing at her teal peplum top. She was still obsessed with Oliver, her ex, who we'd be seeing in organic chemistry.
"He will," I assured her, though my own focus was on the ticking clock. It was 7:30. Time to go. "Are you almost ready?"
"Yeah, let me just put my shoes on," she called. I grabbed my backpack, trying to feed off her infectious energy. "Alright, let's go!" she cheered, and I gave her a thumbs up, following her out the door.
