• "Have a good night, Shannon!" Millie called, waving as she hurried off to her car.

    Shannon waved back until her best friend turned away, then reached for her key fob. The night was chilly, sending goosebumps up her arms beneath her knit sweater. Her bag was heavy on her shoulder. It was loaded up with her coursework for the day, and her homework for that night. It was already so late, though, how was she going to get it all done? A pit stop for an energy drink might be in order.

    The parking lot was mostly empty. Shannon and Millie had been there after hours working on a project that was due in a few days. Time had gotten away from them. Neither had eaten, and most things would be closed this late. Oh well, Shannon had leftover pizza in her fridge that would make a passable meal. She hurried to unlock her car and hop in. Exhaustion weighed her bones. She sank into her seat with a sigh and set her bag down. It was a relief to have it off her shoulder.

    The drive home was quiet, with random classic rock humming through the radio. Her drive was short, so she didn't bother syncing up her phone to play her own music. She wanted nothing more than to forget the day she had. Her quiz in the morning was disastrous, she had studied for all the wrong things. Her lunch was stone cold by the time she picked it up. And to top it off, she had stayed late, far later than she intended. Now she was tired and a little cranky.

    Plus, it was about the time of year that her seasonal affective disorder started to affect her again. Cold, gloomy days such as this made her mood sour. Very little could combat her disposition. Perhaps a good bath and a movie before bed would help brighten her mood. She had a few sheet masks kicking around in a drawer, and some new seasonal candles. Maybe some pumpkin spice could brighten her day. Yes, that sounded perfect.

    Her apartment was dark, and the curtains were drawn over her ground-floor patio doors. Her plants exploded over the cast iron fence and b ...
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