Noah answered and let Emma, Lauren, Audrey and Gina in. As they peeled off the layers they had on to keep the winter weather away, Noah had the pile it on a chair by the door. Noah then introduced everyone.
"It smells so good in here." Lauren commented.
"That's thanks to Elijah and Lucas" Noah said "I think they outdid themselves making dinner."
"We love to cook." Lucas said.
"Wow, a home cooked meal, not what we expected." Gina admitted.
"It's ready, why don't you all head in to sit down while we bring it out." Elijah said.
Lucas, Elijah, Graham and John headed to the kitchen while the rest headed to the dining room. Lucas directed everyone what to take and they headed to the table.
"We're starting with a pumpkin soup and French bread." Elijah announced. "Don't worry, we have a main course and dessert after." He added looking at his housemates faces, knowing they thought they would be starving in an hour with only soup.
After everyone got their soup and bread, they started eating.
"Wow, maybe we should hire you two to be our chefs." Noah complimented them.
"You all could just buy the food and we'd happily cook it. Except Wednesday, we're not giving that up!" Lucas said.
The girls look confused at the Wednesday comment, but none were willing to appear nosy yet. So Oliver decided to answer the unsaid question. "We have dinner on campus every Wednesday. Have for almost two years and it's like our sacred ritual."
"And sometimes the only time we really see everyone that lives here together anymore." John added. "Life gets crazy once you hit Senior year."
"So you're all seniors?" Emma asked.
"No, Graham's in his second year MBA, Oliver is in his first year in Finance MBA, the rest of us are graduating this Spring. I'm doing Bio, John's Economics, Elijah's Engineering and Lucas is Computer Science. If I remember, this is all your second year, right?" Noah asked.
"Yes," Emma answered. "I'm going into education, Audrey is thinking of geography - she really likes maps, Lauren is undecided and Gina is doing Law."
"Have you taken 370 yet Audrey, I'm sure you'd find it interesting if you love maps." Oliver asked.
"I'm in it right now. And I do love it! Right now we're working on a map of the state..." Audrey went on to explain the project and was very enthusiastic about it. At the end she added shyly, "Sorry, I get excited talking about it and tend to go on and on."
"It looks like you found your interest all right." Graham responded, he'd loved watching her describe her assignment. He was sure he could love listening to her describe something as boring as dirt though.
"I did, although my parents don't love that I want to study cartography. They'd rather I do something else." Audrey admitted dejectedly.
"It's hard to have our interests be different than what family expects." Graham agreed. "My Aunt wanted me to stay and take over the farm I grew up on, but I decided to come here and go into Business."
"My parents wanted me to marry the neighbor - literally the girl next door." Lucas smiled. "And we're not thrilled to know I'm living with my boyfriend."
"I think what they're trying to say is life is hard enough without living up to everyone's expectations on who they want you to be." Noah said. "But we understand that going up against family expectations can be hard as well. But your family doesn't live your life, you do."
As he said this Emma just looked at him with dreamy eyes. Graham and all his housemates knew she was interested at that point.
"Thanks," Aubrey said.
They were finished with the soup, and all the guys took the dirty bowls and dishes to the sink and helped bring out the main course.
As they set everything down, Elijah explained what they were having for the main course. "We have cranberry chicken and a medley of brown and wild rices with oven roasted asparagus.
"You two should open a restaurant l, seriously this looks, smells and tastes so delicious!" John exclaimed. Everyone agreed.
"Too much work, and cooking is a hobby I'd hate to ruin it by making it my job." Elijah said. Lucas nodded in agreement.
There was a lull in the conversation as they all focused on the food in front of them. After a few minutes Gina spoke up, "Graham, the kits should be here on Thursday so if you can come by next Saturday we'll get it ready to send back."
His housemates, except Noah raised their eyebrows. Graham answered Gina, "Sounds good, just message me a time, Saturday is pretty flexible for me." He gave his housemates an I'll tell you later look, and tried to change the subject. "Gina what made you interested in Law?"
"My dad is a lawyer and he always wanted one of his children to follow in his footsteps. They lost my older brother before I was born and so I was the only one who could. Plus I have loved when I'd visit my dad at his office. I learned to love it growing up so even though it's what my parents would love for me to do, it's my choice and passion. They'd never force me to do it." Gina explained. "I'm really interested in family law especially."
"Is that what your dad does?" John asked.
"No he's a prosecutor." Gina answered.
"How about you Emma? What part of education?" Elijah asked.
"Secondary, junior high, high school. I worked in a daycare last year and realized that younger kids were not my specialty. But I have always loved helping others learn." Emma replied.
"Any subject in particular?" Noah asked.
"Math. I know girls aren't "suppose to" like math." Emma said using finger quotes, "but I've always loved it. And I don't get into gender stereotypes. My parents aren't thrilled, they wanted me to go into a better paying profession. I think they are secretly hoping I'll get married to a millionaire so I don't have to use my degree." She laughed. "Joke would be on them though, I'd still teach."
"I doubt you'd need help in math, but if you do, Oliver is our math nerd." John said.
"I'll keep that in mind." Emma said.
"Lauren, anything you're leaning toward studying?" Lucas asked her.
"My problem is that I like everything and want to do it all. I'm hoping as I do more generals I will find my passion." Lauren answered.
"Good plan." Noah said.
"How about all of you?" Gina asked.
"I'm a biology major but am waiting to get into med school for next year." Noah said. He glanced at John to his right.
"I'm doing economics. I want to be an accountant." John said.
"I'm finishing my MBA this year. Next month I start trying to line up my job for when I graduate." Graham said.
"This is my first year doing my MBA with finance emphasis. I want to be a Finance officer." Oliver explained.
"Engineering. Loved the male ratio in that major." Elijah joked, "But really I love the field."
"Computer science, I'm a geek." Lucas shrugged. "Who's ready for dessert?"
Everyone had finished eating by then and wanted to see what the two had made for dessert.