ia's

into the corridor last, blinking against the brighter hallway lights after two hours under the fluorescents. My hand still ach

eaning against the wall with her arms crossed, scrolli

called, pushin

ng a tired smile

tep beside me as we walked toward the ex

definitely not a gift." I rolled my shoulder

my arm lightly. "We're almost done now. Two days until we're on the

e been talking about tho

You'll see." She glanced sid

o throw in the last fe

ithout me." She grinned. "I'm so ready to get out of here. No more early mornin

want to slee

float in the pool if t

music playing from a portable speaker somewhere, laughter echoing off the brick buildings. Autumn leaves skittered acros

e and dropped onto it. I stretched my legs out,

ood," I

ore paper left," Mirabel said. "Then we'll have two whole weeks of nothing we have to

ll closed. "I coul

thing in the freedom. Then I felt the shift-th

y eyes, an

ockets of his hoodie, that same easy smile alread

ned beside me.

, nodding at both of us. "

aid, keeping

t "Hi" that sounded

his neck, glancing bet

answered

've said no before, multiple times. But I'm leaving for break tomorrow too, and I just... I'd really like to see you one

t I touched her knee lightly. She snapped i

ay he was trying to look harmless, the faint flush on

o. Firm. Final. Li

words di

was the quiet dread of the holiday ahead, of spending two weeks in someone

hour. Then he'

I said

ke he hadn't expe

ee. Tomorrow after my

eat. Thank you. I'll text you the spot-there's that pla

ded.

ost sheepish-then backed up a step. "S

way, his shoulders lig

r him, then whipped

ually seriou

I just... want it over. One coffee. He gets his chance, I

use if he's even a little weird tomorrow, I'm s

ll, tired la

all, the sun dipping lower. And, students and lect

ing. Just coffee. Just cl

esn't try any