I put Neko in my room, Ethan announces from the doorway. He and Sinc are always vying for Neko to sleep on their beds. Luckily, every one of my roommates likes animals.
Awesome. Thanks for your help, everyone, I say.
Not a problem, says Swanny.
They all disperse back to their rooms, except Sinc, who sits on my bed. So… what happened with Lana that you needed a ride home?
Give me a second. First, I take a bite of the sandwich I made since I missed dinner. Then I roll my shoulders to release some of the tension. It’s been a really long night.
I should have read her mood better. She was really anxious about me meeting her parents for the first time. Anyway, when she parked the car in the underground lot, I heard a meow. I motion towards the kitten. But once I rescued him, we had a big fight about what to do with him.
I was horrified by Lana’s suggestion that we could just leave him and someone else would find him. Then she’d refused to lend me her car to take him to the nearest shelter because I’d be late for dinner.
Finally, she said that if animals were more important to me than people, I shouldn’t bother coming to dinner. And that we were done. My voice cracks a bit on the last words. I’d been shocked that Lana went nuclear in what was one of our first fights. Even now, everything feels both painful and surreal.
Sinc’s eyes widen. Done? So, are you guys broken up now?
I swallow down my own doubts. Of course not. She was furious, but we’ve been going out for months. People don’t break up over one missed dinner. But I’ll have to do something big to make it up to her.
Even though I’m exhausted, I try to figure out a plan. In the morning, I’ll send her flowers. Then I’ll head over after class so we can talk.
Sinc nods. I’m sure you can smooth things over. He gets up to peep at the snoozing kitten and reaches out to pet him. He’s so tiny and helpless. For what it’s worth, I think you did the right thing.
THE NEXT MORNING IS A TOTAL SHIT SHOW. I SLEEP THROUGH MY ALARM, THANKS TO A CERTAIN kitten who woke me up multiple times because he was hungry, lonely, or scratching loudly in his litter box. I miss breakfast and I’m late to class, since I have to drop the kitten off at the shelter first. Then, I get a message to meet Barb Peachy at the Alumni Office at 4:00 PM today—exactly when I was planning to visit Lana. Not to mention that it’s Friday, and I have a game tonight.
I hate when my schedule feels out of control like this.
But Lana is my priority, so I skip my last seminar and head straight to her place. She lives in the Alpha Zeta Mu sorority house. It’s one of the nicest heritage houses in St. Viola, with red brick and leaded glass windows. Even in freezing January, a wreath on the door and twinkling lights make the place look Christmas card–perfect.
I knock, and a tall blonde answers. It’s Birgit Jansen, Lana’s best friend.
Hey, Birgit. Is Lana around?
Oh, er, hi, Roy. Instead of her usual friendliness, she looks wary. That’s not a good sign. Birgit’s reaction is a good barometer of Lana’s current mood. Apparently, a good night’s sleep has not alleviated Lana’s degree of pissed off.
Birgit just stares, so I suggest, I’ll just go up to her room. Then I push by to go inside.
She clutches at my arm. I don’t know if that’s a good idea.
She’s still upset?
Birgit nods. I’ve never seen her like this before.
Well, things can’t get better unless we talk.
Whether Birgit agrees or not, she releases me. I take the carpeted stairs two at a time up to Lana’s room. I rap on her door.
Come in, she calls.
I open the door. Hey, Lana.
She’s sitting cross-legged on her bed and studying. Her blue eyes widen at the sight of me, then all expression drains from her face. Lana is very good at keeping her emotions in check. Usually she’s pretty even-tempered, which is something I appreciate about her. I’m not interested in a lot of drama in a relationship.
I stand at the end of her bed. I want to tell you how sorry I am about last night.
Yes, I understood that from your card. She motions towards the white roses in the corner of her room. I got white because Lana prefers neutrals. Her room is furnished with blond wood, natural linens, and soft, knitted throws. This is her private sanctuary, and even though it’s where we usually sleep together, I always feel like an interloper.
Right now, I’m even more uncomfortable. I unzip my coat and hoodie to cool off.
