I pull out my phone. No texts. No missed calls.
I dial. Voicemail.
Lexi:Where are you?
Nothing.
Irritation prickles under my skin, but I swallow it down. “He probably forgot.”
“Maybe he’s just busy. You know how boys are.”
“Yeah.” I shove my phone in my pocket. “I’m stupid to think coming here would change our relationship.”
Thea reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You’re not stupid. He’s just... Axel.”
I force a smile. “Let’s just get checked in.”
We check in at the student center—a building that smells like burnt coffee and industrial cleaner. A bored student worker hands us keys and maps and tells us our dorm assignments.
Different dorms.
Thea’s face falls. “Wait, what?”
The girl nods like she’s bored and then asks for the next person in line.
I grab Thea and pull her aside before she makes a scene. “It’s fine.” I hug her quickly. “We’ll get dinner later, okay?”
“This is bullshit. You better text me.”
“I will.”
She squeezes me once more, then disappears into the crowd of parents and freshmen and rolling suitcases. I feel bad because I knew we weren’t dorming together. I had thought I could afford what she got, but my scholarship didn’t. So, now we’re in complete different buildings.
I drag my bags alone down the hallway that smells like fresh paint and old popcorn. The carpet is stained in places, the walls covered in bulletin boards full of flyers for clubs I’ll never join.
Room 212.
I unlock the door and push it open.
A girl stands by the window, petite and pale, with her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. She turns, smiles politely, and offers her hand.
“Hi. I’m Scarlett.”
“Lexi.” I shake her hand. Her grip is gentle, careful.
Her side of the room is already unpacked. Everything white and beige—sheets, pillows, desk organizer, even the picture frames. It’s so bland it almost hurts to look at.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she says, gesturing to her half. “I got here early. Wanted to settle in before classes start.”
“No, it’s—it’s fine. Looks great.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Do you need help?” She nods toward my bags. “That one looks heavy.”
“I’m good.” I pull the box closer. “I don’t need help.”
“Oh. Okay.” She steps back, wringing her hands. “Well, let me know if you need anything.”
