Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen hastily began typing a reply but then thought better of it. Maybe it was best to just go see her in person, especially since it was Sunday - she was likely to be home.

"Stoddard, I'm heading out. Three more datasets are about to drop, keep an eye on them for me."

With that said, he made to leave.

"No way... Didn't I just say I needed to head home today? Hey-why are you leaving? Did I say you could?! You didn't go home to rest when I told you to yesterday, and now you're ditching me today?!"

"Owen, you're really asking for trouble!"

...

However, when he got home and knocked on the neighboring door, there was no response.

"Roseanne? You there?"

There was only silence in response.

Owen sighed, turned back to his place, sat down, and composed a text message:

"Sorry, got caught up in the lab and missed your messages."

"Is there still any way I can help out now?"

After waiting for half an hour without a reply, Owen couldn't help but wonder if Roseanne felt the same disappointment he was feeling now when she had messaged him earlier.

Roseanne, indeed, couldn't reply at the moment.

She was busy cleaning and setting up in the new lab she had applied for.

When Scales filled out the application, he specifically asked the faculty advisor for the largest and most secluded lab available.

The advisor double-checked, worried Scales was being impulsive.

The lab had been vacant for a while, hardly used by any research group because of its size, lack of equipment, and its remote location from the main academic buildings.

Scales insisted, "This is the one we want."

The size meant they could set up a spot for naps.

The lack of equipment wasn't an issue since they planned to buy what they needed.

Though far from the academic buildings, it was close to the cafeteria, which meant Mamie was thrilled.

The only downside for them was...

It was a nightmare to clean!

After a morning's work, the trio had only just managed to arrange the lab

benches, storage cabs, colab

table, and water cooler.

Next up was the actual cleaning.

Mamie groaned, "Why can't we just hire a cleaning service? This is exhausting."

Scales replied, "It sends the wrong message."

"What message?"

"The spirit of college life."

"..." Okay, you win.

Deciding to grab lunch and continue the work afterward, they headed to the cafeteria. That's when Roseanne saw Owen coming their way. As she hesitated whether to greet him or not, he already approached her, panting as if he had run all the way there.

"Roseanne, did you need me for something?"

Caught off guard, Roseanne took a moment to respond.

Mamie and Scales paused, exchanging glances.

Owen apologized, "Sorry, I've been swamped in the lab and missed your texts. I didn't mean to ignore you."

Roseanne then remembered she had indeed sent Owen a message which he hadn't replied to, but she had been too busy to follow up.

"It was something, but it's been taken care of now."

Corley had messaged her early that

morning. The CPRT was already on its way back, expected to arrive

tomorrow without any ve

Swn&

"...Why did you have to pay out of pocket? What happened?"

Before Roseanne could respond, Mamie burst out with the details like a firecracker.

"...Edna?"

"That's the one! The department was siding with her, bullying us!" Mamie was fuming.