“Oh.” Joy.

When class was done, she stood with me. “Hey, uh. Would you like to study together sometime?”

I was going to say yes, but Marcus’ gaze found mine and I forgot everything else. His jaw set in a determined look, and I gulped.

“I gotta go,” I told the bewildered girl. I hot-footed out of there and didn’t slow until I was a few buildings away. Looking back, I didn’t think Marcus had followed me, so I calmed a little.

I needed to catch up on some studying, but Avery stopped by my room later that night. I thought maybe she’d ask about Caden, but she didn’t. She wanted to gossip about Kevin.

I had to remind myself that was a good thing. If she only came to talk about Caden, it would be weird. I told her what I knew about the Kevin situation. He was still with Maggie, and he was moving in with her parents. I’d agreed to be a lame ass and help him move this weekend.

I never called my dad, though. The line was drawn there.

I was surprised when Avery said she’d help too, and when she showed up that Saturday morning, she’d gotten a few others to help, including a couple guys. Kevin and Maggie were shocked, but Maggie and Avery hugged at the end of the sweaty day.

I wondered then if Avery came more because of their friendship, rather than just to help me. Over the next few weeks, I was right. Maggie started coming over to the dorm to see Avery, a lot. At the same time, I settled into a pattern of going to classes and eating dinner or lunch with Avery and the girls. I began to study with my physiology classmate, and sometimes some of our floormates sat with Avery and me at lunch. Of course, her friends weren’t ecstatic about that, but it was Avery. Everyone loved her, and to their credit, I’m sure my floormates were confused when they saw me with her. I don’t think they realized we were friends outside of the dorm.

One night, I was heading out to see Caden as Maggie was coming into the dorm. I asked Avery later if she’d told Maggie about Caden and me. She shook her head, and I was relieved.

My friendship with Caden wasn’t a secret, but it wasn’t something I broadcasted. I knew other girls would misinterpret how much time I spent at his place. I hung out there most nights. Sometimes I studied. Sometimes I watched movies, but I mostly watched sports and drank beer with his fraternity brothers. They never hit on me, and they never acted weird when they saw me. I was accepted.

Avery asked me one time if I was heading to Caden’s, and I stopped short. I felt like I’d been caught cheating, but then she laughed and waved me on.

“Go have fun. Don’t feel bad about being friends with Caden Banks. I can tell you do. People might not understand it, but they don’t need to.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing.” She gave me reassuring smile. “I mean it. People just don’t know you, so there’s buzz about who you are. People have noticed that you walk there, and he drops you off later. His fraternity brothers always say hi to you on campus too.”

I knew all that, but hearing it made it more real.

“Has Kevin said anything about it?” Avery asked.

My panic bloomed, and I shook my head. “I think he’s still in MaggieLand.” I wasn’t looking forward to him checking on me, though. I was friends with someone he considered an enemy. #betrayal

She snorted. “I think Maggie’s getting sick of him.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s been here a lot. She said something the other night how her parents asked Kevin if he was going to find his own apartment or move back to campus. He got all upset about that, and Maggie came here, saying she was fed up with him.”

That wasn’t his normal method. “Kevin usually cheats first, and then gets dumped. The girl doesn’t get tired of him.”

“Until now. A girl is finally going to get fed up with him. It’s inevitable.”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“And because I really suck at transitioning, I’m just going to drop the bomb on you.”

“What?”

She glanced down, picking at her nails. “Um. Okay…” Her throat worked up and down. “I have a weird favor to ask you.”

Why was she suddenly nervous? This was not like Avery at all.

She took a breath and let it out. “Marcus and I might be…maybe…I don’t know what we’re doing really, but I think we might be getting back together.”

“What?!” I started to smile.

She waved that off. “No. Don’t get all excited. I don’t know what’s going on or even if something is happening again. He’s been calling, and we’ve eaten lunch together a few times at the cafe on campus. I mean, there’s more. We’ve been fooling around a little, but only a little. Please don’t judge.” She drew in a ragged breath. “I’m almost pissing my pants just thinking about it, but ugh. Anyway, I was thinking that since you’re friends with me and Caden, maybe the four of us could go bowling together.”

I furrowed my eyebrows together. “Bowling? I thought Marcus hated me?”

“He doesn’t hate you.”

I was pretty sure he did. Class was always awkward. I always felt him glaring at me, but she sounded excited. “You sure Marcus is okay with that?”

“Oh, yes. It’ll be great.” She brushed my concern away. “You. Caden. Me. Marcus.”

“That sounds like a double date.”

“No. Yes. I mean, kinda? It’s not really. Unless you and Caden are dating. Are you guys dating?”