"Anyway." Sage releases my arm and reaches into her bag, pulling out her phone. "If you need a break from hell, you can always come to our dorm. Here."
She scribbles a number on a napkin and slides it across the table to me.
"Room 247, Crescent Hall. That's the Omega residential building, but Jace has like... special access." She waves her hand vaguely. "Again, complicated. But the point is, you're welcome anytime."
I take the napkin, folding it carefully and tucking it into my pocket like it's precious.
Because it is. It's an escape route. A lifeline. A reminder that I'm not completely alone in this chaos.
"Also!" Sage holds up her phone. "Let's exchange numbers? I lost all my old contacts when my parents confiscated my phone back in the day. Which means I've spent thirteen years without being able to reach you, and that's a tragedy I refuse to let continue."
I smile, pulling out my own phone.
And immediately wince at the look of horror that crosses her face.
"Mae."
"Yes?"
"What is that?"
"It's my phone."
"That is not a phone. That is a relic. That belongs in a museum. Is that... is that an iPhone 6?"
"Maybe."
"Girl." Sage looks physically pained. "It's been like ten years since those came out."
"It still works!" I protest defensively. "Mostly. The battery dies after two hours, but that just encourages me to be present in the moment."
"Present in the moment," Jace repeats flatly. "That's what we're calling technological neglect now?"
"Just so you know." I type in Sage's number with fingers that know this cracked screen a little too well. "My texts are going to be green. Don't get mad."
Sage gasps in mock horror.
"Green texts? You mean I'm going to have to suffer through pixelated images and delayed delivery like a peasant?"
"Hey, green texts build character."
"Green texts build frustration."
Jace is shaking his head, laughing.
"You know it's bad when your iPhone is basically turning into an Android."
"It is NOT an Android!" I clutch my phone to my chest protectively. "She's just... vintage."
"'She'?" Sage raises an eyebrow. "You named your ancient phone?"
"Her name is Beatrice and she's been through a lot, okay?"
They both burst into laughter, and I can't help but join them.
This. This is what I missed.
Easy conversation. Gentle teasing. People who laugh with you instead of at you.
