Quarantine Blues

They met at the usual location–behind the gymnasium by the outdoor gym. Ever since they first met at the student orientation day, they became 420 buddies. He caught her rolling a spiff behind the student hall when she sneaked from the dreaded orientation group. When she got caught, for a second, she thought her academic career was over. But instead of reporting her to the counselors, Tobias bargained for a few puffs using his advanced debate skills and indisputable arguments. And after she moved into the dorm Tobias and she quickly developed an ever so slight gesture to secretly communicate to each other that it was puff-puff-pass time.

She was sitting on the usual bench and silently rolling a joint when Tobias broke the silence. “Don’t worry.” He said with a soothing tone. “I will make sure you will be able to stay here… I will make sure no one is kicked out the dorms if they have nowhere to go.” He quickly corrected himself as if he said something wrong. He took a big drag of their joint as he was frantically walking around. He always became restless when he was discussing politics. “I mean… They cannot just throw the exchange students on the street. Where are they going to go? The hotels and all accommodations are closed, and all the public transportation, is forbidden by the new government actions. And if that is now enough, all the borders are closed. They can’t even leave the country. Like, what are they supposed to do?” He stopped for a second and passed her the joint. “Even movement across counties is not allowed. I can’t even go home to my parents if they kick me out.” He sat next to her and watch her take a hit. “We already wrote a petition to the University, the ministry, and a letter to the president. Don’t worry. We will take care of it!”

She slowly exhaled intoxicating smoke and stared at the burning joint between her fingers. Thinking about what he just said–His words calmed her down a bit. It made a lot of sense. They can’t just kick all of the exchange students out on the streets. Where were they supposed to go?

“Yeah. I bet they didn’t think about cases like this. They are literally trapped here.” She said passing the joint to Tobias.

As she watched him smoke, the thought that numbed her mind in fear didn’t seem so horrific anymore. Even though she truly didn’t have anywhere to go, she felt safe in his promise.

Except Tobias, she didn’t have anyone in her life. No friends, no family. Her dad never really took an interest in her. He never saw her as a child and only rarely paid child support. After he remarried, even that stopped and he was gone for good. She wasn’t always so antisocial. She was once quite outgoing and made friends easily. But ever since her beloved mom died of breast cancer when Ellie was in the first year of college, she wasn’t the same person anymore. She changed to this miserable, anxious girl who avoided people like they carried a deadly disease–in fear of feeling the pain of losing a loved one again, she became a loner. She really had no one in the world and nowhere to go to.

“Thank you, Tobias.” She said, taking the offered joint. “Do you think they will listen?”

“Yeah.” He said comforting. “They have to. They probably only put those measures in place in sheer panic to control the spread, and they forgot about all the exceptions.” He watched her walk to the trash bin to put out what was left of the joint and throe it away. “And even if they don’t. The Mrs. Harrington won’t kick you out. We talked about it in the meeting. She will keep the dorms open for everyone. Even if she will go against the law.”

Tobias slowly stood up. “Shall we go in?”

“Nah,” said Ellie. “I think I’ll go for a short scroll before I must lock myself indoors or the scary virus will get me.” She said with sarcastic tone, smiling.

“Want me to come with you?”

“No. I’d like to be alone for a bit.” Quickly realizing that it might have come off a bit harsh. “Thank you anyways.” She tried using a nicer tone.

“Oh, ok then… Well, see you tomorrow morning.” Said Tobias and gave her a quick hug.

She watched him as he walked towards the main building. She should be nicer to him. She can’t just push him away like that. He was the only one of her former friends who was patient with her after she fell into her depression, and the patience will run out someday. He was so supportive when her mom died, and he was so understanding when she changed for the worst. She probably does not deserve him. She wasn’t a good friend to him for a few years now.

“I think it’s time to seriously consider going to therapy…”