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Yes, and neither she nor Stephanie ever asked me about it. I know we’re not even close to being friends, and I should be glad that they show so little interest in my private life, but it still struck me as odd. A part of me wants to be questioned about Aston, even if I can’t mention his name.
„Well, yeah, he’s busy tonight,” I say.
Colleen's interest seems to be piqued a little.
„So, you got a boyfriend?” she wants to know. „Stephanie has been wondering about that.”
„Oh, has she?” I ask. „Did she…say anything?”
She rolls her eyes. „Well, you know how she is. Always up for gossip.”
Before I can say anything in response, Colleen picks up the cup of noodles and gulps down the last bit of artificially flavored water before throwing it in the trash can.
„Enjoy your dinner,” she says, before she grabs herself a Gatorade from the fridge and disappears into her room.
My eyes remain fixed on her closed door for a few moments, wondering whether anything is up with her, or if she’s always been this antisocial and I just never noticed, or cared.
The enticing aroma of Kung Pao Chicken wafts through the air as I start devouring my solitary dinner. I never cared about eating by myself, but tonight, I feel gloomy and alone. Does he really have plans, or did he just say that because he doesn’t want to see me? He always had time before.
He seemed so…disappointed in me. Did I let him down that night, when I didn’t side with him right away? But why wouldn’t he even listen to me, and insist on seeing things in one way, and one way only? Why can there only be foundational research or practical implementation of our work, and not both? I don’t understand his stubbornness in this.
„Oh, Claire!” Stephanie’s voice rips me out of my lone musings.
I was so deep in thought that I didn’t notice her coming through the door, and when I throw her a surprised look, she lifts up her arm, dangling her own bag of takeout food.
„Panda Express never disappoints!” she exclaims, giggling.
„Seems like we had the same idea tonight,” I say, as she drops her bag on the table.
„Wine?” she asks. „I brought a bottle.”
„Yes, sure, thank you,” I reply, happy about the company. I never thought I’d ever be this happy to see Stephanie, of all people.
She settles opposite me, wine bottle and two glasses in hand.
„Okay, spill, how come you’re here tonight,” she says while filling our glasses.
I chuckle, appreciating Stephanie’s love for gossip. „I could ask you the same thing. You’re the one who’s usually out, especially on the weekends.”
„Well, yes, but I haven’t been sneaking out every weekend for the past few weeks like you have,” she replies. „Got yourself a boyfriend?”
She beams at me, and I feel myself blushing in an instant.
„I’m…not sure if I can call it that,” I mutter.
„A hookup then,” she says. „That’s fine, too. Enjoy yourself a little! Nothing to be ashamed about. What’s he like? Do I know him?”
„Er…h-he’s…no, you don’t know him,” I stutter. „It really is nothing.”
I can feel her eyes on me, and all of a sudden, this whole conversation feels like an interrogation. Maybe, it was better not to be asked about Aston after all. Especially now, when things between us may be about to die off…
„How about you?” I ask, trying to divert the subject. „Are you seeing anyone at the moment?”
She rolls her eyes. „Ugh, I’m sure you heard the rumors.”
„Rumors?” I ask, unsure what she’s talking about. But then I remember what Colleen mentioned a few weeks ago. „Ooh, you mean—”
„Yes, it’s true,” she says, nodding vividly. „Or, well, parts of it. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’m not dating a professor, like everyone’s been saying.”
