“Your parents want you to do marketing?”
“If becoming a professional classical musician doesn’t pan out. But I don’t think I’m good enough for that. Marketing it is,” she said.
“I’m sure there’s lots of other things you could do,” I said.
“There are, but my parents will be huffy about it. Which is fine, because it’s my life, but… It’s just annoying, you know?”
I didn’t know, to be honest. My mother was just glad I’d managed to go to college at all. She’d done some community college classes, but that was it. And my dad… I didn’t even know. My family had been amazed when I’d gotten into Amherst, and then completely over the moon when I’d gotten into Beasley.
“They’re just worried about your future, I guess,” I offered, even though I really didn’t know what else to say.
Brianne laughed harshly. “I think they’re more worried about the family being prestigious. But whatever, I already am getting the Beasley degree. What’s your major, again?”
“Biology,” I said. “But I don’t know what I want to do with it. I went into it because I liked animals, but I’m going to have to do graduate school if I really want to work with animals. And now I’m not so sure I want to commit to it.”
“It’s hard. No one knows what they want to do,” said Brianne. “I think they just stumble onto it.”
“True.”
There was a silence as we walked around more of the sculptures. Many of them appeared to have sold. Maybe I should get back into painting, I thought. Maybe I could become a working artist.
“Why can’t you become a working musician?” I asked. “If that street performance friend of yours can do it…”
“She is doing it, but very precariously,” said Brianne. “Between the busking and the music lessons she wants to do, she’ll be fine. But she can’t busk in the cold. She’ll have to have good savings and think of other ways to make money. That kind of financial insecurity is not for me.”
“Fair enough,” I said. “These artists probably are in the same boat, though.”
“Probably,” said Brianne. She sighed. “I don’t know. There’s pros and cons with everything. Nothing is ever perfect.”
“No. That’s life, I suppose.”
“That guy is totally into you, by the way,” said Brianne. “He’s been checking you out for five minutes.”
That jerked me out of my deep thoughts. “What? Where?”
“Okay, don’t be obvious about it, but he’s looking at the raccoon sculpture, and he’s wearing a red sweater.”
I subtly tried to get a
glance at him, but instead ended up making eye contact. He smiled at me. He actually was super cute, but I didn’t want to do anything. I was happy where I was with Brianne. The thought of going up and talking to that guy seemed completely unappealing.
“He’s cute,” I said.
“So go for it. Ask him to lunch, or whatever it is you do.” Brianne smirked.
“Nah.” I shook my head and started walking further away. “I just… I just don’t feel like it.”
Brianne shrugged. “I thought you wanted to meet guys. Or maybe you want to meet girls instead?”
I opened my mouth to say something, but hesitated. “N-no. I don’t want to meet girls.”
Brianne seemed completely blasé, but there was a glint in her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll find someone.”
“Y-yeah, I will,” I said, wanting to get off the topic of my life. It was nice of Brianne to have pointed out that guy to me, but… why did I not want to strike when I had the opportunity?
“I’m sorry my friends didn’t come out,” said Brianne smoothly. “We hang out at the King’s Tooth pretty often, though, so I can just text you next time we’re meeting up. You can come get a drink with us.”
“That’d be awesome,” I said, thankful not only for the invitation but the change of topic.