Garrett, my maybe-boyfriend, appeared behind me, putting his hands around my waist and planting a kiss on my neck. “Company for what?”

I giggled, his kiss tickling me a bit. “Shopping! But! First, we need to check our schedules and map out our in-person classes to find the best spots to scope for your mafia.”

She waved a hand at me. “I say we hit the shops. We already have one here with us.” She looked at Garrett, holding up her board. “Just know, I will take your girl on my sick board if you break her heart.”

He nodded, smiling. “Noted. Also, mafia?”

“One,” I started. “I don’t think we can both fit on that board. Two,” I looked to Garrett, “she’s building a mafia-style cult. Keep up, babe.”

“We’ll make do,” Kelly huffed, linking her arm with mine as Garrett dragged along behind me. She held up her lilac-colored penny board like it was a threat as we went.

Stomping along ahead of us, Kelly found where her English class would be. We had one class together since she hadn’t officially declared her major, making her options for classes more open than mine. My classes were based around the core credits for a bachelor’s in Exercise Science.

I was taking a physical education class–explorative exercise. We would be taken through a host of movement types. There would be dancing, skating, swimming, tennis, and any other activity that fit the scope of the class.

The sports science building was jaw dropping. There was a lab dedicated to metabolic research and testing. The pod–where one could get the most accurate body fat data was at the top of the list to check out. Ever since the pod came out, underwater submersion data was tossed to the side.

Unsure of where I wanted to go with my degree, I picked it because it was the topic that interested me the most at the time. I’d spent a lot of my life choosing sports for hobbies, and my mother encouraged me to follow my heart in all things. Remembering the times we had, my heart ached at the thought of her not being able to share in this next era of my life.

Whatever you choose to do, follow your heart and you’ll know the path is right.

“Now that we’ve explored,” I started, pulling myself out of my thoughts, “we should get off campus and do self-care in the form of shopping.”

Kelly looked far too happy to go check out new shit to buy. “Walk or car? Or board?” She winked at Garrett.

“Seems like a good day to walk before the weather starts cooling off too much,” he nudged me, pulling my hand into his.