Cosima gave the box one final tug and stood up, panting. Every time she moved she thought it was a good idea to shove as many books as she could in every box, and every time she regretted it. Maybe I just enjoy making life difficult for myself, she thought. You know, the challenge of getting an eighty kilo box from place to place. The social awkwardness of your first appearance at college being that of you sweating your brains out and struggling to catch your breath. At least my roommate isn't here yet, she allowed.
Right on cue - because everything happened at the worst possible time in Cosima's life, it was just the way of things; she'd resigned herself to it long ago - her gorgeous roommate stepped through the door. I mean jesus christ, this girl was hot - long legs, tall, delicate. Her hair was fucking ridiculous, and Cosima ran her hands through her dreads self-consciously. But really, Cosima didn't have time for hair like that; science was her passion and she wasn't all that concerned with how she looked doing it. This girl probably studied fashion or something. Cosima realised she was staring and busied herself taking books out of boxes.
"Hi, I'm Cosima," she said, tilting her head to the side and waving her hands (which were still full of books). Biology textbooks flew around the room. Jesus. Again? Just once I'd like to speak without waving my arms around like an octopus.
"Hello Cosima, it is a pleasure to meet you, my name is Delphine." Delphine said as she reached down to pick up one of the books that landed at her feet, handing it carefully back to Cosima. Even her voice oozed sensuality. Cosima stole a glance at the other girl's face as she took back the textbook, and even in that short time caught herself wondering what Delphine's delicate lips would feel like against her own. Cosima couldn't believe she was being so shallow. She'd barely even spoken to her new roommate. Cosima didn't worry too much about it being awkward though; she was sure that once they started speaking the illusion would be shattered and this momentary lust would be forgotten. That's what always happened; Cosima was attracted to people until she heard them speak, and then their stupidity turned her right off.
"Ah, are you taking Microbiology 1 this semester?" inquired Delphine, pointing at the textbook.
"Umm, yeah. I'm studying a Bachelor of Science - Bio Major - it's my first year," answered Cosima, a little bewildered. "Don't tell me you're a Science geek too!?"
Cosima inhaled excitedly, hoping beyond hope that she'd been roomed with someone she could geek out with. Delphine grinned, and Cosima could feel her heart melting.
"Yes, I am also a Bio Major; I am in my second year though."
Cosima was practically bouncing off the walls, but she tried to contain her excitement.
"So, what's it all about for you? I mean, like, where is this heading? Are you doing post grad? What's your specific interest? What kind of job do you want? What's the course like? Will I enjoy it? It is more challenging than high school, right?"
"Goodness me, so many questions!" Delphine laughed. It was a light, tinkling, sincere kind of laugh. The kind of laugh that makes everyone else feel like smiling. And so Cosima smiled, she couldn't help herself.
"I don't even know where to begin. Hmm, well I had this really excellent Biology teacher in high school. She was so passionate about it; the kind of passionate that made everyone else want to be passionate about it too. And so I started doing more and more research in my own time, and then I stumbled across Immunology and kind of fell in love. I am planning on studying through to get my PhD, and from there the dream is to get funding for my own research projects in the future. The course is really great. There are some stats subjects you have to take that are a little dry, but you should really enjoy all the biology major subjects, you definitely learn things that you wouldn't have learnt in high school. What about yourself; any topics you're particularly interested in?"
Cosima couldn't believe it. This girl was hot, and smart (and hot).
"I'm not too sure yet. I mean, I'm really interested in Human Evolutionary Development, but I am hoping that I will get exposed to a variety of different topics throughout the next three years and that it will be really easy to choose an honours topic. I want to get my PhD too, actually. Just because, like, science, right?" Cosima let her hands drop to her sides, she hadn't even noticed that she was using them.
Delphine smiled that warm smile again, and started emptying her boxes onto her bed.
"It is really lovely to meet someone who loves science like I do," Delphine said quietly, as if it were a very intimate secret she was sharing. Cosima grinned cheekily.
"Me too, I have a feeling that this is going to be great." Delphine and Cosima smiled at each other and went about setting up their room.