———— 1 WEEK LATER————

I wake up to the sound of the alarm on my phone buzzing on the small wood side table by my bed. For a moment I forgot about my new job. It was the crack of dawn and it wasn’t until I started getting undressed that I remembered. I put on the unfamiliar polo with a sigh. I give myself a once over in the mirror on the way out of my room. The uniform shirt was nice, a starch white polo with the signature SP dark blue bands on the sleeves, but it wasn’t my old uniform. That one was comfy and familiar, this was foreign and professional.

My roommate Collette is slouched over in her chair at the kitchen table over a cup of coffee when I walk in. She grumbles something incoherent before taking a long sip.

“I’m guessing you didn’t sleep well last night.” I laugh as I grab a green mug from the bottom shelf, “Stay up late again working on your exam review?” Collette grunted a confirmation before plopping her head on to the table, “I swear, Tam, if this class doesn’t kill me it will be a miracle.”

“Why are you up this early anyways? I thought your class doesn’t start until 10,” I glance at my back work watch, “It’s only 4:47.”

Collette made a sad attempt at a laugh, “You say that like I’ve slept at all. I still have another chapter to review before I crash for the night.”

“Jesus.” I pour a cup of coffee and sit down beside her, “That is seriously unhealthy man, you can’t be running around on four hours of sleep all the time. A person needs an average of at least seven hours of sleep a night to function properly.” Collette snorted before calling me out, “You’re one to talk, you go around running twelve to fourteen hour shifts, then come back here to help around the apartment. That’s not including the time you spend helping me with school or visiting your sister either. You sleep almost as little as I do.”

“What can I say? I like to keep busy.” I shrug before taking another sip of coffee. I don’t care to admit that I’ve been having trouble falling asleep for the past couple of weeks. I can still do the job right which is all that matters for now.

“Whatever.” Colette flips open one the textbook beside her with a sigh, “I’m gonna try and get this over with, you gonna start heading to the new job?”

“Yeah, I should probably head out before morning traffic starts.” I pour the remainder of my coffee into a silver coffee travel cup. I wash my mug before heading to the door.

As I’m closing the door behind me, I hear Colette shout, “You better text me and tell me how it’s going later!”