The massive space of the lecture hall felt eerily quiet, despite the seats being crammed to capacity. Only the sounds of scratching pens, turning pages, and an occasional cough interrupted the blanket of stillness. All around, heads hunched over exams, popping up occasionally to check the time on the clock hung at the front. As the minutes and hours passed, those heads would bend back down with an increased sense of urgency and distress.

Kaitlyn’s eyes roved over the problem in front of her.

Suppose F = ∇𝜙 + ∇ X G in the domain |R| < 1 and that h(R) is a harmonic function for |R| < 1. Let 𝜓 = 𝜙 - h. Derive a formula for H so that F = ∇𝜙 + ∇ X H for |R| < 1. The correct answer will include an integral over a single variable, but not an integral over a volume or a surface. You may leave out that integral in your answer. Be sure to indicate where you need the fact that h is harmonic.

I can do this one. Easy. Cracking her neck, she got to it.

This was it. The loop where she finally would pass every class on her own merits.

No, not just pass, she reminded herself. I’m gonna ace this.

She’d individually gotten near 100% on each other class now, with the exception of Calculus. Now all that was left was to put everything together. To that end, she’d spent the entire loop reviewing everything, all the subjects from all five of her classes. She’d even missed out on attending lab this loop to put her entire focus on making this happen. As a result, midterms had gone flawlessly with perfect scores across the board. Even in her old archenemy.

I got this. Her gaze narrowed at the next problem. It was obviously meant to trip her up. Nice try. But Philip prepared me for tricks like this.

This was the first time she’d attempted the Calculus exams since her days of memorizing answers. Now that she was equipped with knowledge and understanding, the thing felt far more intelligible than ever before. Even better, that understanding seemed to alleviate some of the looming dread she’d come to associate with the subject. All that was left was to take advantage of it.

Even if I don’t get a perfect score, it’s ok. There’s always next time. But… Fire glinted in her eyes. I’m gonna do it this time. Because I can.

Glancing at the clock, Kaitlyn smiled. There was still plenty of time left. Nodding, she bent toward her answer sheet once more.

***

Kaitlyn sat at her desk, eyes closed. Before her on the wooden tabletop lay her phone, its screen glowing faintly upward. After a few moments of waiting she glanced down at it.

It’s not time. Not yet.

At this point, she knew by heart when the different classes would post their final exam grades. Unfortunately, they did so at staggered times. It meant that she could check a few at a time as they came out, but Kaitlyn didn’t want that. She wanted to know them all at once.

With a conscious effort she avoided squirming in her seat. I did well. I know I did. I’ve never felt so confident on a test in my life. But if I didn’t pull it off… She shook her head. No use in thinking about that yet. If it took another loop or two to get straight A’s, then so be it. But she could still hope.

Eventually, the clock blinked over. It was time. Hands trembling, Kaitlyn reached for her phone and refreshed the already open page.

Writing - A (100%)

Calculus - A (100%)

Statistics - A (100%)

Chemistry - A (100%)

Genetics - A (100%)

She leapt up from her seat, pumping her fist with a whoop of celebration.

I DID IT! I finally did it!! A huge grin spread across her face as she stared at the beautiful sight. I didn’t just get A’s - I NAILED it! Perfect scores across the board! Holy crap!

She spun about the room in triumph, flopping onto her bed as elation and adrenaline coursed through her system. Finally. Finally! It took, what ten loops? But I did it. I’ve actually mastered all my classes. Legitimately too. No cheating required.

It had taken a lot of time and effort, but now? It all felt worth it. Pride swelled in her chest as she simply reveled in the accomplishment.

Now… After calming down a bit, Kaitlyn sat up. She felt as light as a feather. This calls for a proper celebration.

After so many loops of buckling down - albeit with proper study breaks and while making time for other things - it was only reasonable to reward herself. The only problem was the timing.

A glance out the window revealed that the sun had already begun its descent. Although it wasn’t quite sunset yet, it wouldn’t be long before the sky turned to shades of orange and pink. It was Sunday - the last day of this loop. Everything would reset later tonight, which didn’t leave much time for a celebration this cycle. It also didn’t help that Heather and many of her suitemates - the most likely candidates to celebrate with - had already left for the holiday break right after finals.

Humming to herself, Kaitlyn considered the options. I could bake something nice, but… no, I think Lyra’s already gone home, so I can’t ask her to grab last minute ingredients from the store, either. I can definitely do something next loop, but I want to do something right now. It just feels right.

After a bit of thought, a lightbulb went off in her head. Flipping through apps in her phone, Kaitlyn pulled up her bank account. Between Philip’s tutoring costs, buying cooking equipment, and paying for off-campus groceries, she usually didn’t have much left at this point. Even working at Chella’s could only give her so much to work with. However, a few last minute orders for her modest meal prep “business” had left a larger buffer than usual.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

She gave a satisfied smile at the number. It’s not much, but it should be enough. I’ll just have to be careful about what I order.

Sliding the phone in her pocket, she stood and checked through her wardrobe for something to wear. It was time for dinner.

***

Kaitlyn approached the modest brick facade of Chella’s Italian Bistro just as the sun had begun to set. The amber lighting fixtures set on either side of the door illuminated the sign above welcomingly in the fading light.

Wow. This place is pretty empty for a Sunday. Lucky me, I guess.

She’d never taken a shift on the last week of the loop. Why bother with the reset right around the corner? Besides, no one expected a student to show up during finals week. As a result, she hadn’t exactly known what to expect.

Stepping toward the entrance, she stepped inside. The tinkling of a small bell attached to the doorframe announced her arrival. Inside, a scattering of patrons clinked glasses and laughed in companionable conversation.

After a bit of deliberation, she’d chosen to wear her career fair outfit - the frilly white blouse and black slacks - just to make the outing extra special. It also helped with fitting in, seeing as most of their clientele dressed up at least a little bit.

“I’ll be right with–” Chella stopped mid sentence, her eyes widening. “Kaitlyn! Why, I didn’t expect to see you here!”

“Hi, Chella.” She waved awkwardly. “I uh, do you have any tables open?”

“For you? Of course we do, honey!” The woman bustled toward her, scanning the room. “Here, let’s get you settled in. Are you waiting for anyone?”

“Nope, just me.”

“Alright.” The woman ushered her toward a table for two near the door, pulling out the chair for her. “We’ll be right over to get you taken care of, alright?”

Kaitlyn nodded in thanks as the woman wobbled away to check on another table. With no small amount of trepidation, she looked over the menu.

I know that this place is expensive, but it still hurts. The prices made her wince. Definitely sticking with water and one of the cheaper entrees. That’s the only way I’ll be able to afford dessert.

Despite the exorbitant costs - well, exorbitant if she didn’t know that Scarra’s cooking was worth every cent - the actual menu made her mouth water. Savory pork chops drizzled with a blackberry-balsamic reduction, creamy four cheese gnocchi, that incredible spaghetti carbonara… All the succulent dishes she’d smelled and seen in her time working here were suddenly at her fingertips.

“Good evening.”

Kaitlyn started out of her musings to find Philip at her elbow. He stood ramrod straight, one arm across his waist in a formal precursor to a bow. His other hand held a bottle of chilled water.

“Philip?” She blushed despite herself. “Uh, sorry. I’m just surprised. I just didn’t expect to see you working with finals and all…”

“No apologies necessary.” He uncorked the bottle and began filling her glass. “Though I find myself surprised to see you on this side of the establishment myself.”

“Yeah. I just wanted to celebrate a bit.”

“May I ask what the occasion is?”

Pride once again welled up within her. I can brag just this once. I’ve got good reason to this time. “I aced all my classes. Perfect scores across the board!”

He raised an eyebrow, recorking the water and placing it on the table. “Impressive. I can see why you would wish to celebrate.”

The reaction was understated, but she hadn’t expected any more. The fact that he’d reacted at all was, as usual, noteworthy. “Thanks.”

“Perhaps I can start you off with another beverage? Or an appetizer?”

“Um…” Kaitlyn hesitated, glancing at the menu once more. Control yourself. You only have so much to spend. Even if that bruschetta does sound really good… And that caprese… And…

With a firm shake of her head, she tore her eyes away from the offerings. “I’m ok for now. Just water is fine.”

“All right. Perhaps you’d be interested in hearing about today’s special while you consider the menu…”

The special certainly did make her mouth water - lamb chops with chimichurri sauce and roasted fingerling potatoes - she held herself back. Philip didn’t mention a price for the dish, and she had no desire to be uncouth and ask. Plus, specials were usually pretty expensive anyway.

As Philip finished speaking, he bowed slightly at the waist. “I will leave you to take a look at the menu. Please do not feel any hesitation to ask if you have questions.”

With that, the guy disappeared. Kaitlyn glanced around the room, observing the other tables. Most of them appeared to be occupied by couples or groups of friends, faces flushed from drink and a jolly night out. She was the only person dining alone. The fact that each one was also decades older than her didn’t help matters, either.

At least I wore something nice. Otherwise, I’d feel even more out of place. Though looking at her blouse, she realized that it may have been a poor choice after all. Images of tomato sauce or oil dripping onto the white fabric sent a shudder through her. She’d have to be careful not to embarrass herself like that.

Just as she settled on what she wanted, Philip reappeared to take her order. Afterwards, he placed a basket of focaccia bread on the table before her, as well as a dish of oil and vinegar. The smell alone made her salivate. It took a bit more control than she wanted to admit to avoid digging in until the server had left.

This alone is worth it. Completely. Kaitlyn had tried the focaccia before - in fact, over the loops she’d sampled a decent amount of the menu through Scarra’s generosity, particularly the pastas. It still didn’t make her appreciate the crunchy yet soft bread any less.

To her surprise, Philip approached again a short while later with a plate in hand. She expected him to veer off course, as this was far too quick for her food to be ready. But sure enough, the well-dressed boy headed directly for her table and placed it down.

“For you, compliments of the chef.”

Her eyes widened. Before her lay a plate of two crab cakes, each topped with arugula and drizzled with a creamy aioli. An artful arrangement of lemon slices, garnish, and additional aioli adorned the side of the plate.

“What? I-I can’t…!”

Philip raised an eyebrow. “If you have a particular allergy, I can inform the chef…”

“N-no! No. It’s not that.” She stared at the plate before her. “I don’t… Why? He didn’t have to…”

“Of course he didn’t.” Philip straightened. “The chef indicated that you could treat this as a bonus for all your help in the kitchen. So please, enjoy.” With another slight bow and no additional explanation, Philip left once again.

Kaitlyn stared at the plate for a moment longer. The idea that Scarra was a big enough softie to give her a free appetizer made some amount of sense. But the reasoning stuck in her mind.

Help in the kitchen? Not with the dishes? It definitely feels like I’ve mostly been messing things up over and over until he comes over to fix them… But if I actually did help? She allowed herself a small smile. Guess I have even more to celebrate tonight.

Resolving to thank the man afterward, she dug in.