It’s been about two weeks, but I think I’m finally starting to get used to being back at school. Maybe.

I’m not sure I have the routine down quite yet – living in an apartment is so much different than being on campus!

I usually get up pretty early anyway, but I have to get up even earlier to catch the bus and make it to my first class on time. I was actually late for my first 8am class of the semester. Can you believe it? It was so embarrassing!

And I kind of miss being able to eat all my meals in the dining hall… Because when it comes to cooking, well… Clara can tell you all about that. Let’s just say I’m not the greatest cook in the world. She keeps telling me I must be trying to poison her or something. She hasn’t liked one thing I’ve made for her. But do you think she’s actually willing to turn on the stove and try for herself? Of course not.

God, talk about ungrateful!

Still, I guess living with her really isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, the two of us get along well enough – we’re so much closer now than when we were kids. But we’re just so different. And we still butt heads sometimes. I was expecting it to be so much worse. But we’ve only really had one big blow-up since we moved in – and it was all about where to put the couch. (Yes, really. She’s friggin’ ridiculous).

This is the first time we’ve ever lived together since we started university. Until now, we both lived in the campus dormitories… But this year, we decided to try something different. Get a little taste of real independence, know what I mean?

So living together was our only option. We’d never be able to afford it otherwise.

Papa offered to pay, of course. Even offered to let us each stay in our own apartment. And I must admit, it was pretty tempting at first. But in the end, it just didn’t feel right to take the money this time. And believe it or not, Clara actually agreed.

Papa was still insisting though, right until the last minute. I think he’s just kinda worried about us having to “fend for ourselves” for the first time. And I do get that… But he’s gotta know that Clara and I aren’t little kids anymore. We deserve the chance to try and handle things on our own.

It was actually Onkel Stefan who finally convinced him it was a good idea, back when he and grandpa Josh were visiting at the end of the summer. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something really special about my Onkel. No one can get through to Papa the way he can. Not even maman.

“It must be a twin thing.” Grandpa Josh likes to say. And then he’ll usually go into a story about his half-siblings, Nathan and Theresa.

But I don’t know. What about me and Luc? Do we have a ‘twin thing’? I’ve been asking myself that for years. And unless that ‘thing’ is liking the same shitty, low-budget horror films or getting on each other’s nerves all the time, probably not.

Anyway, the point is that Papa finally backed off, and then it was up to me and Clara to try and figure out how to pay for this thing.

For her, it was pretty easy. She already makes a little money every month from advertisers on her blog, and she’s even taken a couple of freelance jobs writing articles for other sites too. She’s not raking in any big bucks or anything, but it should be enough to pay for her half of the rent.

As for me, well, my options were pretty limited, but that just made the choice even easier. I got a job on campus working in the library. I’ve always loved reading and just being around books in general, so I’m actually kind of excited about it. The pay isn’t the best, but every bit helps. I just filled out my paperwork and met with the librarian this afternoon. I am officially employed!

So I guess overall things are off to a good start this semester. For me and Clara, at least. I’m still worried about Gus being so depressed, but I’m glad he has everyone at home to help him through it. And I guess I’m a little worried about Luc too… But I know Florian’s keeping an eye on him.

Now I feel almost silly. There’s really nothing to worry about. And you know what? This is my last year at school… And for once, instead of spending all my time worrying about my family, I’m gonna try to worry about myself.

Won’t that be nice for a change?

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Thank you so much to both ra3rei and JoieWilder! Joce and Clara’s apartment was a joint-effort build between the two of them 🙂 And the beautiful university library was made by ra3rei as well! (We will be seeing more of both builds in future chapters!)