The smell of detergent, fabric softener, and cat piss met my nose in a revolting swirl that made me nauseous.  It was bad enough that my dorm’s washing machine broke down, but the only place to do laundry within a mile or so was this place; Pete’s Laundry World. The name didn’t sound promising at all. As I looked around the shop I spotted a few other girls from my dorm, including Gloria, the one girl I couldn’t stand. I was tempted to leave but before I could make my muscle’s move, she turned towards me, smiling sweetly. God I hated that smile.
Gloria didn’t know I hated her, mostly because everyone loved her. She was the top student, gorgeous, had the hottest boyfriend on campus, came from a rich family, and she was humble above all. What wasn’t there to love about her?  Here I was, average student, average looking, single, and middle class, riding on a scholarship to even be at this school. Of course people were going to like her better. Sure, she’d never done anything to me except be exceptionally nice and friendly. Okay, automatic guilt trip.
With a sigh, I waved a little and set off to find a free washing machine. I had three loads to finish before I could go back to the dorm and finish my Human Sexuality class essay. It took me a few minutes to notice that my luck wasn’t the best today. The only free washing machine was right next to the one person I didn’t want to be anywhere near. Fantastic. She was beaming before I was even within three feet of her, like she knew that the only open machine was next to hers. She probably bribed someone not to use it.
Returning a small smile I used my free hand to turn my music up to a level where it could be heard by someone a foot away. I was sure that she would at least hear it and leave me alone. I pulled one of the small trash bags up onto the washer and untied the plastic, pulling out my bottle of detergent. I didn’t want my cloths to smell anymore like this place than they would when I left. I started a load of laundry and hopped up onto the washer, settling in to wait.
I heard a low hiss during a break in between songs and looked over to see that Gloria was looking into the bottle of detergent, eyeing it with apparent annoyance. She was out of soap and her only options were to ask someone for a bottle or buy one. I knew she would be asking me first and I could never say no to anyone. As if she could read my mind, she looked up and smiled sheepishly. I wished desperately that I had chosen something to listen to, that way she couldn’t ask me. Unfortunately she could tell that I could hear.
“Jessie, can I borrow some soap? I’ve run out.”
I sighed and cursed myself internally for not being able to say no. Without saying anything, I grabbed my mini jug and opened it, looking to the load in her washer. I wasn’t about to let her use it all when she didn’t need to. I measured some for her and poured it in, smiling a little at her. She mouthed a ‘Thank You’ and closed the lid, noticing that I had music blasting again.
My washer kicked off soon after Gloria’s started and I slipped off the top, opening it. A fresh, floral scent drifted up to my nose and I smiled a little, putting money into the dryer before I loaded it with clothes. As soon as it was going, I went back to my washer and paid for it, tossing in another load. When I got to the soap, I noticed that I only had enough for this one load. I’m sure Gloria could find another person to mooch off of. I started my new load and grabbed my purse, setting my last load on the washer. I didn’t want anyone taking what was in there.
I started toward the short line for soap and noticed, about halfway there, that there was someone behind me. I peeked over my shoulder and found that Gloria was following me. I quickened my pace. For some reason, I felt the need to get to the line before her. I could feel her pace quicken too. Apparently she felt the same anticipation I did. She was quick and caught up, nudging me as she passed.
My eyes narrowed and jogged to keep up, nudging her as she had me when I passed by. The action was returned when she caught up once more. That meant war.  As soon as I was right beside her I pushed her, causing her to stumble into one of the store- provided carts. There were several gasps, none of which I paid attention to. I was on my way to winning and nothing could stop me now.
Except, something did stop me. The next thing I knew, I was being slammed into the wall of dryers. There was a loud thud when my body collided with the metal and someone shouted, “CATFIGHT!”
That started the frenzy. Before I could fully recover, Gloria was charging at me, rage blazing hot in her eyes. People had gathered around us, some chanting, most just looking on at us. I felt like I was in one of those fights you saw in high school or something. The next thing I knew, my hair was being yanked, a fist was pounding into my stomach. For a small girl, Gloria was fast, a pretty strong. I would give her that much. I wasn’t going to just give up though.
I retaliated in the same way; pulling her hair, punching and slapping wherever I could. It didn’t take long before the tough guys in the crowd broke through the circle and pulled us apart. We both struggled against their arms. I was seeing red by this point.
“Would you two stop!” someone yelled.
A short, balding man pushed through to the four of us, holding his back. The silver nametag read “Billium.”
“What were you two fighting about?” he wheezed as soon as we were still.
His ancient eyes were narrowed and obviously annoyed. He stood between us, looking back and forth, waiting for one of us to answer his question.
“She started it!” we both shouted in unison.
“ENOUGH!” The man shouted back, rubbing his temples. “Now, without yelling over each other, tell me what’s going on.” He pointed to me first.
“She bumped into me and then shoved me into the dryers. Then she proceeded to beat me up. It’s entirely her fault!”
The old man sighed, “Alright, your turn,” he said to Gloria.
“I was just going to go get a box of detergent and she was walking ahead of me. The next thing I know, she speeds up and I do the same. I accidentally bumped into her and then she bumped me back. I nudged her again and she pushed me into one of those carts.”
Gloria nodded in the direction of the cart that she had fallen in to. The old man was looking back and forth between us again.
“So let me get this straight. You two were fighting over boxes of detergent?” His eyebrows were raised by the time he finished.
When she spoke it out loud, it did sound ridiculous. I couldn’t help but smile at the idiocy it all was. Apparently Gloria was on the same page because she smiled and shook her head.
“If these two gentlemen let you go, will you two shake hands and walk peacefully to the vending machine?” The owner asked.
The both of us nodded and he motioned for the guys to let us go. They did and we dusted ourselves off, walking towards each other, still smiling. We raised our hands and shook them, calling a silent truce. As soon as we released each other’s hands, we started, side-by-side, to the vending machine at an even pace. Neither one of us slowed down or sped up the entire way. We were going to make good on our promises.
There was only one other lady in front of us but she moved just seconds after we got in line after her. It was to our horror that the lady in front of us had bought the last box of detergent. Gloria and I looked at each other, taking in the red marks on our faces, and turned back before we do anything rash.