Kaitlyn walked towards the familiar yellow backpack where it slumped atop one of Cappy Cafe’s many outdoor tables. Philip always took the same table when it was available, which was nearly always. As such, she didn’t even have to search for the guy any more.

Sucks that I can’t get more sessions in. A frown creased her brow. The extra money would have really opened up so many options… Oh well. Maybe I’ll revisit it somewhere down the line.

Stepping forward, she slid into one of the benches across from the formal tutor. At her approach, he glanced up from his book and snapped it shut. “You are Kaitlyn, I presume?”

“Yup. Nice to meet you, Philip.”

“You as well.” As he made to put away his book, Kaitlyn glanced at the cover curiously.

“Is that Journals from the Overland?” I didn’t even notice last time.

“Indeed. Have you read it?”

“...Yeah…” She spoke the word slowly, debating about how much to say, but then decided to be honest. It wasn’t like she had anything to lose. “At least, I tried to. I didn’t really get it, to be honest.”

Philip nodded. “While the style of writing is rather unorthodox, I do find value in it.”

“Really? It just seemed depressing. Why would I want to read about a lazy guy who’s too self-absorbed to see past his own nose?”

With a practiced motion, Philip retrieved the last of his study materials from the worn backpack. “It’s a cautionary tale. Not only about sloth itself, but about the dangers of blaming the world for one’s problems instead of oneself. I find it to be a useful reminder. Though perhaps it may not be relatable to one such as yourself.”

Indignance flashed through Kaitlyn, followed by confusion as the guy’s words actually processed. “What do you mean?”

“You requested tutoring for Geometry before the semester even began. At this point, you likely have attended one class session at most. That means that you have preemptively identified this course as a potential issue for yourself and decided to take action in order to head it off, rather than trust things to the quality of your professor’s instruction or any other variables.” He folded his hands on the table. “Your decision displays a level of self awareness and responsibility that is both rare and praiseworthy. As such, you may not have much sympathy for the story’s character.”

She blinked. Did I hear that right? Did he just… compliment me?

The sheer unexpectedness of the praise caught her off guard. “Th-thank you.”

“No thanks required. I merely made an observation.” Philip flipped open his notebook. “Now, shall we begin?”

***

“...And that’s all the time we have for today. Don’t forget to pick up your textbooks this week! Those practice problems will really help for the midterm.”

The familiar clamor of a lecture hall bursting into motion drowned out the last few words of Professor Adams. Desks were folded to the side as students filed their notebooks and pens away, eager to leave or get to their next class. Kaitlyn was among them, quickly packing up her things and hurrying toward the front of the space. It was the first class of the quarter, meaning, not many students would yet take advantage of the opportunity to speak to Professor Adams. At least, that’s what she was banking on.

Kaitlyn waited behind a couple of other students as they spoke to the frazzled Genetics professor. Her brown curls stuck out in every direction as though electrified. Between that and the woman’s thick glasses, she looked every bit the mad scientist type.

I think I might be good on Genetics after this loop. So let’s see if I can make these last talks really count.

She’d learned a lot from the woman already. Cycle 13 had seen them talk multiple times about some of Kaitlyn’s topics of interest. However, those conversations became more few and far between later in the loop as other students jockeyed for Professor Adams’s attention. She couldn’t blame them, of course, but still.

“Hi!” A tired grin spread across the professor’s face as Kaitlyn approached. She seemed itching to leave. “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, professor. I um, I had a question about a particular technique…”

As Kaitlyn asked her question, the woman’s eyes lit up with surprise and genuine excitement. “Oh! Well, I certainly didn’t expect a question like that. Er, though…” She glanced toward the door with obvious reluctance. “I do need to be going… Can you walk with me?”

Kaitlyn grinned. “Of course! I’m done with classes for the day.”

“Oh, perfect! Well, then, to explain…” The woman bustled toward the door as she spoke. Luckily, she was short enough that Kaitlyn didn’t have to rush much to keep up.

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The pair walked and talked, navigating through the crowds of students meandering across campus. The whole while, Kaitlyn kept a mental list of additional points to ask in the future. Professor Adams seemed continuously surprised by her questions, which was understandable. After all, she had way more background to work with than most students did at this point.

Eventually, their discussion took them down winding side pathways toward Gutac Hall. Kaitlyn had seen the modern-style boxy building a couple of times before, mostly as a result of stalking Elliot. She also knew that it was where her professor’s lab was located. Still, the sight made her feel a slight twinge of disappointment that their conversation would soon come to an end.

“Actually, it’s quite useful. Particularly to the work I do.” Professor Adams continued to explain applications of RNA silencing all the way to the front door of the building. “Why, there’s plenty of applications to it in research, and we’re just getting to the point where pharmaceuticals have taken a slight interest… Oh, but look at me, rambling. I’m sorry, I must have taken you far out of your way.”

“No! No, not at all.” Kaitlyn smiled apologetically. “If anything, I’m sorry for taking up your time. Uh, is it ok if I ask you some more questions next class?”

“Of course, anytime!” The woman reached for the door, then paused. She seemed to consider something before speaking again. “Actually… I do have a moment, it so happens. If you’re interested, I could tell you about the work my lab does?”

“Really?” A grin bloomed across her face. “I’d love that! I mean, if you’re really not busy!”

“Of course, of course!” She flapped a hand dismissively. “I’m never too busy to talk about my work! Come in, come in.”

With that, Kaitlyn took her first steps inside of Gutac Hall.

***

Less than a week later, Kaitlyn once again followed Professor Adams through Gutac Hall’s hospital-like halls. However, this time it wasn’t for a discussion.

I can’t believe she let me join the lab! She practically vibrated with excitement. I actually am going to get practical experience with some of this stuff! This is awesome!

The fact that this development had occurred early in the loop was just icing on the cake. It meant that this might be something she could do every time.

Operation “Master Everything Because You’re In A Timeloop” is going amazingly.

Their footsteps tapped against the beige tile floors. On her left, regularly spaced doors led to office-like areas for professors or what appeared to be graduate students busy on computers. On the right, a series of double doors led to what must have been the lab area. Peeking through the windows, Kaitlyn occasionally spotted scientists in white coats in their natural habitats.

Professor Adams led her to a particular set of double doors along the hall. “Right. Here you are! I need to get to a meeting, unfortunately, so I’ll leave you to introduce yourself.” With that, the woman pushed open one of the doors and ushered Kaitlyn inside. Stepping through, she let her gaze wander around the space.

The first thing she noticed was the noise. A combination of soft whirs, beeps, and hums blended together to produce a blanket of sound that made the lab feel busy and alive. Rows of long benches ran parallel to each other up and down the hall, each stacked with a messy assortment of machinery, bottles, boxes, and other various items she didn’t recognize. Above each bench stood shelves boasting similar selections, most with handwritten labels. Stands of pipettes that looked just like her Theranuc pen hung on stands at each station - at least, what she assumed was a station. The low-backed rolling stools indicated that there were multiple spots for a person to work along each bench.

This is… really cool. A lot different than I expected, though. In everything she’d seen, labs always seemed like these sterile, brightly lit areas with colorful liquids and precise organization. This though? It felt more like a chaotic mess. More like her desk at the dorms, but in science form.

Guess scientists really are people, too.

Turning to thank Professor Adams revealed that the woman had already whirled out of sight. Kaitlyn shrugged, then stepped further in. Guess I really am on my own. Is there anyone here?

A glance around revealed she wasn’t alone. There was one researcher about at the moment - a portly, cheerful-looking woman with a tray full of plants at her elbow. She hadn’t seemed to notice her entrance, being too focused on her work. Unsure of what else to do, Kaitlyn stepped forward.

“Um… Excuse me…”

The cheerful woman looked up. Her cheeks dimpled with a smile as her deep blue eyes took in Kaitlyn. “Oh! Hello! Is there something you need?”

“Uh, yes. Professor Adams said I should introduce myself?”

A look of confusion flashed across the woman’s face, followed by realization. “Oh! You must be the new undergrad! Give me just one moment.”

Her attention turned back towards her work. Craning her neck, Kaitlyn saw that she was bent over a rectangular plate of some sort. Its surface was studded with lots of circular wells arranged in a precise grid. The woman appeared to be cutting and placing little leaf disks inside each well.

Weird. Wonder what that’s for?

A minute later, the woman straightened with a sigh. Placing the odd plate on a shelf above her bench with a clear plastic cover, she turned to give Kaitlyn her full attention. “Sorry about that! Time sensitive, you know. My name’s Christa.”

“Uh, Kaitlyn.” She almost reached a hand forward to shake, but the woman raised her blue-gloved hands apologetically. “I would shake, but I don’t want to change these out. Sorry about that!”

“Oh! It’s ok.”

“Well, welcome aboard Kaitlyn! So, she sent you in here to meet us?”

“Yes! She uh, wanted me to say hello.”

“I see, I see. Well, I have a moment while I’m waiting for that. How about I give you a tour of the place?”

Kaitlyn nodded vigorously. “Yes please! If it’s not too much of a hassle.”

“Oh, nonsense. You need to know where things are if you’ll be helping us out, right?” Christa gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Though don’t expect to learn it all at once. This little lab packs in quite a bit of stuff!”

With that, Christa stood and gestured for Kaitlyn to follow.