Troy had changed. He wore different clothes. He even sounded different.
I wanted to know if I’d done anything or if we’d just grown apart because that’s what was meant to happen, and most of all, I wanted him to know I’d grown up too.
I put my empty cup down on the table. Was I stupid for trying to chase something that wasn’t there?
Suddenly, I felt really out of place.
“I need to go.” I stood and the chair made a screeching sound. “Sorry. I just remembered I have an assignment. I have to draw a…um…” I glanced around the coffee shop. “A cup. That’s it. I have to draw a cup and make it look real for my pencil drawing class.”
Troy’s brows narrowed a little, but he stood too.
“Same. I mean, I don’t have to draw anything. I’d fail that class. Is it even possible to draw a cup as a stick figure?”
“That’s the beauty of art. Anything is possible.”
We took our cups to the counter and the barista waved us goodbye.
“Do you need a lift or something?” he asked.
“No, I have a car.”
“Okay. See you around, Alexi.”
Alexi, not Lexi like I once was. Sadness and nostalgia filled my heart.
Before my brain stopped me, I gave Troy a quick hug. He stiffened under my arms.
Well, that’s a sign if I ever got one.
“See you around.”
I walked in the opposite direction to where I’d parked my roommate’s car around the corner.
The door to my dorm room opened before my key was out of my pocket.
“What have I told you about your phone-tracking privileges,” I said to my roommate as he gave me enough room to get inside before he looked into the hall and then closed the door.
“You said I have diplomatic immunity. Besides, I was checking on my car. Now, spill the beans. How was it?”
“Jett, that’s not how diplomatic immunity works. I said it was for emergency situations only. And your car is safe.”
He waved me off. “I’m sure you mentioned the diplomatic word in there somewhere.”
I crashed on my bed and toed my shoes off, staring at the ceiling. “It didn’t happen.”
The bed dipped on my side. “You got cold feet?”
“Troy was there. I didn’t see the Elite person, and a moment later, I got a message canceling the meeting.”
Jett’s face hovered over mine.
“You’re creeping me out.” I pushed him away, but for a tiny guy, he was weirdly strong.
“No, I’m not leaving until you tell me everything. What was Troy doing there?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know, but we kinda had a drink together.”
“Kinda?”
