Why are you reading that? Wren had asked when she noticed.
What?
Something without a dragon or an elf on the cover.
Im branching out.
Shh, Wren said, covering the ears on the movie poster above her bed. Baz will hear you.
Baz is secure in our relationship, Cath had said, smiling despite herself.
Thinking about Wren now made Cath reach for her phone.
Wren had probably
gone out last night.
It had sounded like the whole campus was up partying. Cath felt under siege in her empty dorm room. Shouting. Laughing. Music. All of it coming from every direction. Wren wouldnt have been able to resist the noise.
Cath dug her phone out of her backpack.
you up? Send.
A few seconds later, her phone chimed. isnt that my line?
too tired to write last night, Cath typed, went to bed at 10.
Chime. neglecting your fans already
Cath smiled. always so jealous of my fans
have a good day
yeah - you too
A middle-aged Indian man in a reassuring tweed jacket walked into the lecture hall. Cath turned down her phone and slid it into her bag.
* * *
When she got back to her dorm, she was starving. At this rate, her protein bars wouldnt last a week.
There was a boy sitting outside her room. The same one. Reagans boyfriend? Reagans cigarette buddy?
Cather! he said with a smile. He started to stand up as soon as he saw herwhich was more of a production than it should have been; his legs and arms were too long for his body.
Its Cath, she said.
Are you sure? He ran a hand through his hair. Like he was confirming that it was still messy. Because I really like Cather.
Im sure, she said flatly. Ive had a lot of time to think about it.
He stood there, waiting for her to open the door.
Is Reagan here? Cath asked.
If Reagan were herehe smiledId already be inside.
Cath pinched her key but didnt open the door. She wasnt up for this. She was already overdosing on new and other today. Right now she just wanted to curl up on her strange, squeaky bed and inhale three protein bars. She looked over the boys shoulder. When is she getting here?
He shrugged.
Caths stomach clenched. Well, I cant just let you in, she blurted.
Why not?
I dont even know you.
Are you kidding? He laughed. We met yesterday. I was in the room when you met me.
Yeah, but I dont know you. I dont even know Reagan.
Are you going to make her wait outside, too?
Look Cath said. I cant just let strange guys into my room. I dont even know your name. This whole situation is too rapey.
Rapey?
You understand, she said, right?
He dropped an eyebrow and shook his head, still smiling. Not really. But now I dont want to come in with you. The word rapey makes me uncomfortable.
Me, too, she said gratefully.
He leaned against the wall and slid back onto the floor, looking up at her. Then he held up his hand. Im Levi, by the way.
Cath frowned and took his hand lightly, still holding her keys. Okay, she said, then opened the door and closed it as quickly as possible behind her.
She grabbed her laptop and her protein bars, and crawled into the corner of her bed.
* * *
Cath was trying to pace her side of the room, but there wasnt enough floor. It already felt like a prison in here, especially now that Reagans boyfriend, Levi, was standing guardor sitting guard, whateverout in the hall. Cath would feel better if she could just talk to somebody. She wondered if it was too soon to call Wren.
She called her dad instead. And left a voice mail.
She texted Abel. hey. one down. what up?
She opened her sociology book. Then opened her laptop. Then got up to open a window. It was warm out. People were chasing each other with Nerf guns outside a fraternity house across the street. Pi-Kappa-Weird-Looking O.
Cath pulled out her phone and dialed.
Hey, Wren answered, how was your first day?
Fine. How was yours?
Good, Wren said. Wren always managed to sound breezy and nonchalant. I mean, nerve-racking, I guess. I went to the wrong building for Statistics.
That sucks.
The door opened, and Reagan and Levi walked in. Reagan gave Cath an odd look, but Levi just smiled.
Yeah, Wren said. It only made me a few minutes late, but I still felt so stupidHey, Courtney and I are on our way to dinner, can I call you back? Or do you just want to meet us for lunch tomorrow? I think were going to start meeting at Selleck Hall at noon. Do you know where that is?
Ill find it, Cath said.
Okay, cool. See you then.
Cool,
Cath said, pressing End and putting her phone in her pocket.
Levi had already unfurled himself across Reagans bed.
Make yourself useful, Reagan said, throwing a crumpled-up sheet at him. Hey, she said to Cath.
Hey, Cath said. She stood there for a minute, waiting for some sort of conversation to happen, but Reagan didnt seem interested. She was going through all her boxes, like she was looking for something.
How was your first day? Levi asked.
It took a second for Cath to realize he was talking to her. Fine, she said.
Youre a freshman, right? He was making Reagans bed. Cath wondered if he was planning to stay the nightthat would not be on. At all.