Her dad and Wren would be up any minute, and Cath didnt want them to know she was about to melt down. If Cath melted down, her dad would melt down. And if either of them melted down, Wren would act like they were doing it on purpose, just to ruin her perfect first day on campus. Her beautiful new adventure.
Youre going to thank me for this, Wren kept saying.
The first time shed said it was back in June.
Cath had already sent in her university housing forms, and of course shed put Wren down as her roommateshe hadnt thought twice about it. The two of them had shared a room for eighteen years, why stop now?
Weve shared a room for eighteen years, Wren argued. She was sitting at the head of Caths bed, wearing her infuriating Im the Mature One face.
And its worked out great, Cath said, waving her arm around their bedroomat the stacks of books and the Simon Snow posters, at the closet where they shoved all their clothes, not even worrying most of the time what belonged to whom.
Cath was sitting at the foot of the bed, trying not to look like the Pathetic One Who Always Cries.
This is college, Wren persisted. The whole point of college is meeting new people.
The whole point of having a twin sister, Cath said, is not having to worry about this sort of thing. Freaky strangers who steal your tampons and smell like salad dressing and take cell phone photos of you while you sleep
Wren sighed. What are you even talking about? Why would anybody smell like salad dressing?
Like vinegar, Cath said. Remember when we went on the freshman tour, and that one girls room smelled like Italian dressing?
No.
Well, it was gross.
Its college, Wren said, exasperated, covering her face with her hands. Its supposed to be an adventure.
Its already an adventure. Cath crawled up next to her sister and pulled Wrens hands away from her face. The whole prospect is already terrifying.
Were supposed to meet new people, Wren repeated.
I dont need new people.
That just shows how much you need new people. Wren squeezed Caths hands. Cath, think about it. If we do this together, people will treat us like were the same person. Itll be four years before anyone can even tell us apart.
All they have to do is pay attention. Cath touched the scar on Wrens chin, just below her lip. (Sledding accident. They were nine, and Wren was on the front of the sled when it hit the tree. Cath had fallen off the back into the snow.)
You know Im right, Wren said.
Cath shook her head. I dont.
Cath
Please dont make me do this alone.
Youre never alone, Wren said,
sighing again. Thats the whole fucking point of having a twin sister.
* * *
This is really nice, their dad said, looking around Pound 913 and setting a laundry basket full of shoes and books on Caths mattress.
Its not nice, Dad, Cath said, standing stiffly by the door. Its like a hospital room, but smaller. And without a TV.
Youve got a great view of campus, he said.
Wren wandered over to the window. My room faces a parking lot.
How do you know? Cath asked.
Google Earth.
Wren couldnt wait for all this college stuff to start. She and her roommateCourtney had been talking for weeks. Courtney was from Omaha, too. The two of them had already met and gone shopping for dorm-room stuff together. Cath had tagged along and tried not to pout while they picked out posters and matching desk lamps.
Caths dad came back from the window and put an arm around her shoulders. Its gonna be okay, he said.
She nodded. I know.
Okay, he said, clapping. Next stop, Schramm Hall. Second stop, pizza buffet. Third stop, my sad and empty nest.
No pizza, Wren said. Sorry, Dad. Courtney and I are going to the freshman barbecue tonight. She shot her eyes at Cath. Cath should go, too.
Yes pizza, Cath said defiantly.
Her dad smiled. Your sisters right, Cath. You should go. Meet new people.
All Im going to do for the next nine months is meet new people. Today I choose pizza buffet.
Wren rolled her eyes.
All right, their dad said, patting Cath on the shoulder. Next stop, Schramm Hall. Ladies? He opened the door.
Cath didnt move. You can come back for me after you drop her off, she said, watching her sister. I want to start unpacking.
Wren didnt argue, just stepped out into the hall. Ill talk to you tomorrow, she said, not quite turning to look at Cath.
Sure, Cath said.
* * *
It did feel good, unpacking. Putting sheets on the bed and setting her new, ridiculously expensive textbooks out on the shelves over her new desk.
When her dad came back, they walked together to Valentinos. Everyone they saw along the way was about Caths age. It was creepy.
Why is everybody blond? Cath asked. And why are they all white?
Her dad laughed. Youre just used to living in the least-white neighborhood in Nebraska.
Their house in South Omaha was in a Mexican neighborhood. Caths was the only white family on the block.
Oh, God, she said, do you think this town has a taco truck?
I think I saw a Chipotle
She groaned.