“Anytime.” He grins, and my heart does a little somersault.
We sprawl out on the rocky shore, munching on sandwiches and basking in the sun. It’s nice—really nice. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed, this content.
“So, Alex,” Alfie says, breaking the comfortable silence. “You’re liking Environmental Science? I’m a Geology major, so I took some of the same modules as you last year. What made you choose it?”
I swallow, caught off guard by Alfie’s question. “Oh, um…” I start, buying time. How do I explain without sounding like a total nerd?
But then I catch Freddie’s eye. He gives me an encouraging nod, and suddenly, I find my voice.
“I’ve always loved nature,” I begin, surprised by the strength in my voice. “But it’s more than that. I saw how things were changing—forests disappearing, animals going extinct, weather getting more extreme. And I just... I couldn’t sit by and do nothing, you know?”
I pause, waiting for eye rolls or dismissive comments. But none come.
Just then, Freddie’s phone buzzes. He glances at it and frowns. “Sorry, guys, I gotta take this. Be right back.” He steps away from the group, phone pressed to his ear.
“That’s awesome,” Troy says sincerely. “We need more people who give a damn.”
“Totally,” Ethan chimes in. “Though I gotta ask—how do you feel about the new development they’re planning for the old factory site? The one by the river?”
And just like that, we’re launched into a heated discussion about urban development versus environmental preservation. Surprisingly, Ethan is all for the development, arguing for job creation and economic growth.
I feel my pulse quicken, a familiar fire igniting in my chest. “We can’t let that happen,” I say, my voice stronger than I expected. “That area is home to several endangered species, including the golden-cheeked warbler and the Houston toad. The ecosystem there is incredibly fragile.”
I pause, taking a breath, then continue. “The proposed development would destroy critical habitat. We’re talking about irreversible damage to biodiversity. Not to mention the impact on water quality in the river. Once we lose these species and ecosystems, we can’t get them back.”
The group falls silent, seemingly taken aback by my passionate outburst. My cheeks flush, wondering if I’ve saidtoo much. But then Alfie nods approvingly, and Troy looks impressed.
Ethan, however, plays devil’s advocate. “But what about the jobs it would create?”
I’m about to launch into another impassioned speech when Freddie returns, his brow furrowed, jaw clenched. He shoves his phone into his pocket.
“Let’s be realistic,” he says, his tone sharp. “Yeah, change needs to happen, but forcing it too fast just hurts people and doesn’t actually help.”
I blink, taken aback by his sudden change in demeanour.
He continues, his voice dripping with distaste. “It’s all performative anyway. Like using a metal straw and thinking you’re saving the ocean.”
My cheeks burn as I glance down at my reusable cutlery set, the one I brought to avoid single-use plastics. Suddenly, I feel ridiculous.
Freddie goes on, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort. “What good does it really do? People lose their jobs, communities suffer, and for what? So some college kids can feel good about themselves?”
The air feels heavy, everyone shifting uncomfortably. I want to argue, to defend my beliefs, but the words stick in my throat. It’s like Freddie has personally attacked everything I stand for, and I don’t know how to respond.
Suddenly, Freddie turns to me, his eyes challenging. “Do you even know what they’re planning to build there, Lexie?”
I open my mouth, then close it again. I know I read about it somewhere, but my mind is blank. With everyone watching, I feel two inches tall. “I... well, it’s...”
“It’s a care home for the elderly,” Freddie says, voice flat. “So you’d rather old people die alone in their houses or without proper care? Is that what you’re saying?”
“What? No!” I sputter, feeling my face grow hot. “That’s not what I meant at all. You’re twisting my words!”
“Am I?” Freddie challenges, standing up. “Or are you realizing that maybe things aren’t as black and white as you thought?”
I feel like I’ve been slapped. “That’s not fair,” I protest weakly, but Freddie’s already walking away, frustration evident in every line of his body.
The group falls into an awkward silence. I sit there, hugging my knees to my chest, feeling small and stupid. My eyes start to burn, and I blink hard, refusing to cry over this. Over him.
Tara moves next to me and puts a hand on my back. “Hey, that wasn’t cool. He didn’t mean it, I’m sure.”
