Chapter 1.3 - Let's Get Cooking

Quinn stood up hastily, feeling slightly uncomfortable. Kazumi, joined her near the bed, her chatter interrupted by Quinn's sudden shift. 

Quinn realized that she had been wearing the same clothes for almost 48 hours straight and she felt gross. She touched the back of her bun, feeling the way it frizzed out and knew she needed a long, hot shower. But more pressing was her need to eat.

"Um...." she said, trying to fill the sudden void. "So I can cook". More lameness, she thought.

"Really?" replied Kazumi. "Well that's perfect because I can't cook worth a shit. Honestly, you'd think my waffles were just dirty bird's nests."

Quinn laughed. "Okay, well then meet me downstairs in twenty minutes."

As Quinn wandered downstairs, she heard the faint sounds of music coming from one of the rooms and she nodded at a few of the new students still milling about in the front hall.

She made her way to the well stocked but very empty kitchen, relieved for the moment to be alone. As enchanted as she was with Kazumi, Quinn needed a few minutes to pull herself together after hearing her new roommate mention the city of St. Claire.

She lost herself, as always, in the mindless chopping and soon was halfway done the meal.

As she stood cooking the massive omelette, she could feel herself relaxing once again. Her heartbeat slowed to a regular rate and the smell of the food calmed her. Once she was done with the first meal, she moved on to cooking burgers on the outdoor grill. She had a feeling that if she wanted to eat more than yogurt at college, she would have to keep the fridge stocked with leftovers.

Her food was a hit. Quinn flushed when most everyone declared her to be the chef of the dorm. And when the cool blond, Caroline, asked her if she was enrolled in the famous Hearst Cooking College, she turned pink. 

Kazumi sat back in her seat and rubbed her belly while grinning at Quinn. 

After a much needed shower and change of clothing, Quinn and Kazumi set out with the others in the fading light to attend the Fine Arts orientation meeting. It was mostly a way for them to meet a few of their professors and other students in the fine arts stream. 

Quinn stuck near Kazumi for most of the night, letting her do most of the talking. She shook hands with all of her professors and mumbled greetings at the various students who were naturally sucked in to Kazumi's captivating vortex. 

By the time they got home and Caroline had done the dishes (Bless you Caroline, thought Quinn), it was practically 11:30PM and their classes started at 8:AM sharp. 

As Quinn closed her eyes, she could hear Kazumi softly snoring on the other side of the room. A faint smile touched her lips. She had a strange feeling in her body as she lay under the soft cotton sheets. It took her a while to place the feeling but as suddenly as it had happened earlier in the day, Quinn swiftly realized that this is what peace must feel like. 

I am so freaking glad I made that omelette, she thought just before she drifted off.