Time Warp: Old Habits Die Hard [Anjali]

[Kate Warren]

February 28th, 2015

Kate Warren was officially a changed woman. It had started with slacking in her classes, then adventurous sexual exploration with both sexes, and now blowing off time she could be using to study for her Calculus test on Monday for instead a night of relaxation with her new roommate and good friend, Anjali.

She sat on the couch and stared mindlessly at the television, waiting for her friend to return from wherever she might be. It was getting late, and normally Kate would go to bed to rise early with enough sleep under her belt, but that would be the old Kate talking. The new Kate took each day independently from the other, never thinking too far into the future. She found this type of thinking much less stressful. She was not necessarily becoming unproductive, she just had stopped trying to perfect everything. If she got a B on a test, it no longer gave her heart palpitations. If she was late to rehearsal, she didn't chastise herself.

Kate raised from her spot on the sofa and shivered as the blanket that had been covering her fell. She wore only a fitted old band t-shirt and black spandex shorts, and the winter air that seeped in from the apartment windows had chilled the air. She prepared a snack in the kitchen and was just on the return to her resting place when the door opened an Anjali entered. Kate's lips parted into a smile and she gave a half wave, carrots in hand.

"You've returned from your adventures just in time. I have officially finished unpacking and rented movies to celebrate." She said proudly, throwing up her hands excitedly. She bit down on one of her carrots and retreated back into the kitchen, smiling still, and of course talking.

"I even bought pizza. Vegetarian, of course. I was waiting for you to get back to make it, on the off chance you haven't eaten." Kate bent over and shoved the frozen pizza into the preheated oven, trying to remember the last time she'd eaten something so unhealthy.

[Anjali Kedar]

The study session went a lot later than Anjali had expected, and then when they'd finally finished she was too hungry to go home and try to find something to eat in the fridge she knew was empty. at least her portion of it was, anyway. No matter how many times she opened that damn box up, food just didn't magically appear which meant one thing; grocery shopping, and soon. But for now some Chinese food sounded good! The wait took forever, but she knew it was better than attempting something at a drive thru. Besides, she needed something spicy tonight after all that boring.

Anjali trudged up to her apartment, shaking off some of the snow that had fallen on her from braving the Vermont great outdoors in February, but her dark hair was still sprinkled white when she pushed the door open. She kicked her boots off immediately, not wanting to track anything into the apartment, since she would then have to clean it. Plus after walking around in them all day she just wanted them to die.

She was greeted immediately by a somewhat familiar face. Anjali was still getting used to coming home to someone again. The apartment had been all hers for almost three months, it was sort of nice sharing it again, and Kate had proved to be a good roommate so far. She was respectful of Anjali's things and didn't want to change the place much, only add to it. She could definitely get used to living with the girl.

"That is something to celebrate!" She insisted pulling her jacket off, though she kept the hoody wrapped around her still. Just until the chill wore off a bit. When Kate admitted to having brought some vegetarian pizza she suddenly felt bad for grabbing Chinese. Pizza sounded good, but she was hungry now. She held up the brown sack and pouted. "Aww, you shoulda told me. I brought Chinese." She said but then smiled a little wider. "Hey! Let's watch movies and scarf down the Chinese and then have the pizza when it's done?" She suggested, feeling a little more excited as she came into the kitchen with Kate. "I got Szechwan eggplant and spring roooolllss..." She dangled the bag with a wide silly grin, leaning her back against the counter while Kate finished loading the pizza in the oven. "That's gonna take, what, like twenty minutes or something? We could totally start with this."

[Kate Warren]

Kate had never lived alone in her life. It might have felt that way when she'd lived with her parents, but since she'd gone to Hammel she had grown used to having roommates. It would be lonely if she ever found herself living alone, which is why she'd moved in with Anjali. It's not like she couldn't afford to have her own place, she just didn't want to. Splitting the rent probably helped Anjali with finances anyways.

She grinned when her roommate held up the Chinese food. She'd have to work double time at the gym to burn off the calories from this night, but it was so worth it. Whoever said money couldn't buy happiness had never tasted Chinese takeout. She set the timer on the oven for twenty minutes and grabbed some silverware from the drawers. It took her a few tries to find the right one. She was still getting used to the place.

"Sounds so good. Chinese and pizza? I swear we were made for each other. Marry me, Anjali. We can grow old living off of takeout and 90's music." Kate skipped to the living room and picked up a stack of movies that she'd brought out from her own personal collection. She was secretly and old soul, loving old books and movies and all the greatest hits from the 80's and 90's.

"I have several choices to grace our television screen with. The Sounds of Music, The Shawshank Redemption, Titanic, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Notebook..." She made a face at the Nicholas Sparks romance movie that had somehow gotten mixed with her collection.

"Take your pick, madam." She said, leaving the choice up to Anjali as she set up silverware on the coffee table for them to eat. Eating in the living room was rare for her, but nothing was ordinary about this new-Kate. She sat on the couch and wrapped up like a burrito in the blanket, patting the seat next to her for Anjali to sit. "Come - there's plenty of blanket for two. It's freezing in here." Her lack of clothing was no help.

[Anjali Kedar]

All she could do was laugh at the slightly younger girls teasing.  In another world she could see herself marrying someone like Kate; funny, energetic, an irrational love for the 80's and 90's and good taste in food.  She would settle for roommate and friend, though.  "Don't tempt me, Kate." She scolded back playfully as she kicked off her shoes and threw her hat on top of her coat.  she'd only wear it tomorrow, no need to put it away!

She listened to the list of movies and then raised a brow at the last suggestion.  Now there was something that didn't fit in! Judging by the look on Kate's face, that last one wasn't supposed to be in there.  "Hmm, that's a tough choice." She agreed, bringing the bag of Chinese over to the coffee table as Kate wrapped herself up.  She put the food down and grabbed Fried Green Tomatoes.  "I haven't actually ever seen this, but had read about it once."  She opened the box and brought it to the TV as she continued.  "Did you know that Ruth and Idgie were actually lovers?"  She popped the DVD in and then turned back to Kate.  "It was in the book, but the movie sorta skipped over that part."  She made her way over and plopped down next to the other girl, reaching for her bag and the forks.  "It's been on my watch list! It's like you've read my mind." She grinned and pulled out a spring roll for Kate.  "We were simply meant to be."

[Kate Warren]

Kate tucked her feet under the blanket and snatched a portion of the food for herself. Emily, her ballet mentor, would have a fit if she saw her eating MSG infested, oil soaked, and fried takeout. She would raise her light blonde eyebrows and shake her head in the way that Kate hated. The I'm-not-angry-I'm-just-disappointed look. Plant based diet, Kate. No meat, Kate. Stretch five times a day, Kate. Wrap the blisters and keep going, Kate. She loved ballet more than anything in the world, and it showed when she was on stage and how hard she worked in rehearsal. She might be willing to rebel against her parents and schoolwork, but ballet and fitness would remain a priority. However, it was nice to have a night off.

When Anjali said that she'd never seen Fried Green Tomatoes, Kate's mouth dropped open. This movie, while it might not be a classic, would forever be one of her favorites.
"How have you NOT seen this?" She exclaimed, absentmindedly leaning affectionately against her friend, glancing at her for a moment and smiling softly at her words. "I never knew for sure, since I have not gotten around to reading it, but I always figured that they were. You can kind of tell. It's so...inspiring, how much love they had for each other." Kate nodded as if agreeing to herself and considered Ruth and Idgie's relationship as the movie began to play.

"We were, darling." She said half-jokingly, pushing some Chinese food into her mouth and savoring the taste. Spinach and cucumbers simply did not taste this wonderfully good. As the movie began, her mind began to wander. She thought of Zo, picturing the girl's face in her mind. She supposed that the whole corruption had started with Zo. She bit her lip, pushing thoughts of the other girl's lips and touch. Kate had never felt so alive, but it had left her feeling so confused. She sighed.

"So, Anjali. Any boys in your life?"

[Anjali Kedar]

She snorted, "I've been too busy watching other, cooler movies." She chided back in a teasing voice.  She didn't really have much more to add about the possibility of the main characters being gay.  She'd never read the book or seen the movie, only read about it online before.  Instead she just snuggled closer to her roommate, appreciating the warmth of another human being as the movie began and her belly filled with the familiar tastes of Asia.  

They had been watching for all of five minutes when Kate dropped a bomb of a question on her.  Anjali choked a little on her spring roll, turning to look at her roommate, a brow quirking up.  "Where did that come from?" She asked curiously, wondering what brought the question on.  Were there any boys in her life? That was funny.  

"No, no boys.."  There was a girl, though.. but they were just friends.  That didn't stop Anjali from thinking about her new.. student? She'd been giving Chris private yoga lessons and fantasizing about doing with her exactly what she was doing with Kate.  It was weird to think about Chris that way.  They'd just sort of.. well, clicked.  She hadn't clicked like that with anyone in some time.  "I don't think you'll see me dragging any boys home."  If only Kate knew why..  "What about you? Anyone catch your eye?"