It’s eight o’clock in the morning when Estelle Miller pulls her van into The Orchard parking lot. The first building to the left has only one other car in front, and it’s in a reserved spot. Estelle parks across from it, in the unload dock. Her youngest daughter, Jeanette, graduated high school in time to nab Mountain Oak’s Honor Society program. Ellie graduated last year but took a year off to do volunteer work at their local community center, now five hours away. Her oldest daughter, Brittany, graduated two years ago but merely grabbed a job at a nearby hair solon to work on new styles.
“Are you girls ready for this next chapter in your lives?”
“I don’t understand why I had to, like, go to college,” Brittany complains from where she’s filing her nails in the backseat. “I had, like, a legit job already. Not to mention my TikTok followers. This will totally put a cramp on my social status.”
“Only you’ll get new roommates, right?” Ellie asks.
“… you’re right, Ellie,” Brittany’s eyes widen. “After growing up with a baby and a bookworm for housemates, I’ll finally have some new faces for my audience!”
She unbuckles her seatbelt and jumps out the door to grab her belongings. Ellie watches her go in confusion.
Jeanette sighs but rolls her eyes. She doesn’t want to get in the middle of another family squabble. She just wants to unpack the car, grab her assigned room number, and only see her sisters occasionally on campus. There isn’t too much to unpack from the van and subsequent trailer. They weren’t allowed to bring much furniture, and there’s even a limit on appliances per student. As Jeanette and Ellie eventually begin bringing the majority of their luggage to three piles on the sidewalk, they vaguely register Brittany arguing with Estelle.
“Why should I wait six whole days for my car to get here? How the hell am I going to get to classes in time?”
“Well, you can rent golf carts and bicycles.”
“Ew, renting? This is how low I’ve stooped?”
“You can always try those appendages sticking out of your midsection,” Jeanette comments offhandedly, grabbing another box. “It’s not like they’re worn from use.”
Brittany blinks at her uncomprehending. Judging by Estelle’s repressed grin, she understands. Jeanette thrusts the box to her oldest sister’s chest.
Brittany childishly drops the box in response, uttering a false apology. Jeanette merely shrugs, grabbing another.
