Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Owen hastily began typing a reply but then thought better of it. Maybe it was best to just go see her in person, especially since it was Sunday - she was likely to be home. "Stoddard, I'm heading out. Three more datasets are about to drop, keep an eye on them for me."

With that said, he made to leave.

"No way... Didn't I just say I needed to head home today? Hey-why are you leaving? Did I say you could?! You didn't go home to rest when I told you to yesterday, and now you're ditching me today?!" "Owen, you're really asking for trouble!"

...

However, when he got home and knocked on the neighboring door, there was no response.

"Roseanne? You there?"

There was only silence in response.

Owen sighed, turned back to his place, sat down, and composed a text message:

"Sorry, got caught up in the lab and missed your messages."

"Is there still any way I can help out now?"

After waiting for half an hour without a reply, Owen couldn't help but wonder if Roseanne felt the same disappointment he was feeling now when she had messaged him earlier. Roseanne, indeed, couldn't reply at the moment.

She was busy cleaning and setting up in the new lab she had applied for.

When Scales filled out the application, he specifically asked the faculty advisor for the largest and most secluded lab available.

double-checked, worried Scales

been vacant for a while, hardly used by any research group because of its size, lack of equipment, and its remote location from the main academic buildings. Scales insisted,

could set up a spot

since they planned to

close to the cafeteria, which

downside for them

a nightmare

a morning's work, the trio had only just managed to

water cooler,

up was the

can't we just hire a cleaning service? This is

replied, "It sends the wrong

"What message?"

spirit of

"..." Okay, you win.

way. As she hesitated whether to greet him or not, he already approached

did you need me for

guard, Roseanne took a moment

Scales paused, exchanging

swamped in the lab and missed your

indeed sent Owen a message which he hadn't replied to, but she had been too busy to follow