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“Hey!”
“The printer in the library was jammed.” She huffs. “I just ran across campus like a crazy person.”
I laugh, then pull out my phone. “We still have one…”
“Cassia? You coming?” I glance up, finding Christine staring at me expectantly. Her face creases in response to whatever expression I’m wearing.
I didn’t even realize I’d stopped walking.
REGAN: Did you know Mom and Dad are getting divorced?
I stare at the message from my little sister, my throat tightening.
I’m looking ahead but seeing nothing.
For the first time—ever—I don’t want to go to class. I’m not excited about learning something new or anxious about the prospect of missing a lecture.
I’m numb.
I feel empty.
“Um, no. I’m, uh, actually not feeling great. So I’m just gonna…go.”
I stuff my phone into the back pocket of my shorts.
Worry flashes across Christine’s face as she takes a step toward me. “Do you want me to walk back with you?”
“No, no. I’ll be fine. I’ll call Holden. Can I just get today’s notes from you in class tomorrow?”
Christine nods. “Yeah, of course.”
“Great. Thanks.”
I turn and retrace my steps to the heavy wooden door, almost colliding with a girl rushing down the hall with a stack of three books.
The pathway outside the brick building is empty. I wander in the direction of the student center, finally deciding to do exactly what I told Christine I would do.
Holden answers on the second ring. “Hey.”
“Hi. Are you home?”
“Yup. What’s up?”
“Can I come over?”
There’s a pause before he asks, “Your class get canceled?”
“Nope.”
I wait, but he doesn’t ask any more questions. “Okay. See you soon.”
I hang up and head for my car.
The drive to the “Varsity” house only takes five minutes. I was planning to go get groceries after my Genetics class, which is why I was lazy and drove to campus this morning.
I leave the windows down for the short trip. The heat wave that greeted my return to campus has broken, leaving the air crisp and cool with the first hints of my favorite season.
I park in the driveway that’s already crowded with three cars and walk up the brick front path. Debate on knocking and then just decide to try the door handle. It opens, so I crack the door open and call out, “Hello?”
