ina'

n my chest. I blinked hard just in time to see our dorm r

felt right now. She launched herself onto Megan's bed like it was so

for the hour. I sat up slightly, squinting at her as

arly not in the mood. "What now?" sh

eliver the climax of a soap opera. "You guys, I thi

k tugging at my lips. "W

ay, guess what? Best. Night. Ever. Like, I'm

her from Phoebe's chaos. "Later, Phoebe," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep and

as no stopp

still. "Okay, I might have accidentally started

ped us bo

cing through the air as we sat up, eyes wide, like Phoebe ha

lottery. "Yeah! He asked me out las

id, her voice still thick with

was no big deal. "Love a

arched with disbelief. "Please te

right, like our bodies just needed each other. Right there, right then. I couldn't help but give in." S

be ? Al

with more irritation than exhau

where she was, but honestly, it was like trying to talk

oing. Keith? He's the package-handsome, charming, and knows how to keep up with me." She paused, let

n't help it-I had this sinking feeling that Phoebe's "full

kay, I'll try to be responsible-but no promises. I mean,

to stay mad at her. "You're

e Keith can handle the se

nds up. "Oh, he's r

lting away like it never existed. Phoebe

something. "So, Merlina," she said, voice t

at my mind seemed to race a million miles

oice came out a little softer than I meant.

special? You're telling me Craig Lesn

was already starting to overheat. "Yeah, serio

elling me a guy like him-with his whole, 'I'm too cool

pill the whole 'he saved me from a reckless motorcycle and held

wanted to lie convincingly. I really did. But Phoebe was built

ed with that answer. "Uh-huh? Sure. And what did you guys t

ligent came out-just a vague noise t

rd with a smirk. "Phoebe, chill. Not everyone s

lted her entire way of life. "Excuse you, I don't sleep w

ck?" I asked dryly, grat

ally mysterious. Step two: looks like he's hiding deep trauma but still knows how to flirt. Step three: ey

Keith passed all th

e, can't hold a conversation to save his life, but we're not gonna pretend he's not walking,

ing missile. "Which is exactly why I know you're lying

when Craig stared deep into my eyes, or the way he leaned in-just a little too close-made me feel thing

ean, seriously-that would be embarrassing.

"Phoebe, please. Can we drop

e. You're telling me there's n

w. "Phoebe's just dying for a partner in crime. Honestly, she pro

uld be thrilled. The way he looked at me this morning after I left Keith's room

aig's death stare. Yeah. I knew that look well. It used to be the only one he eve

the way his gaze lingered like he was holding back a thousand things he was too cool to say. The s

nded myself, sitting up straighter.

oom, and reached for the one thing that had been sitting heavy on my che

the female Professor wh

hat, the ro

hter faded. Stillness se