Bruiser: I’m at your door with a latte. If you don’t want to let me in, that’s fine. Camden looks like he’d enjoy your drink.
“Oh, hell no.”
I throw my covers off, checking to make sure I’m wearing clothes before tugging my bedroom door open. Camden is in the kitchen when I get downstairs. I shoot him a glare, lest he think he has a chance with my latte.
Trevor is outside the front door as he said he’d be, waiting patiently. “What are you doing here?” I ask, ushering him inside.
“Figured if you weren’t feeling up to visiting the library this morning, I’d bring your latte to you. Hazelnut. Still hot.”
I melt, accepting the tumbler he hands me. “Do you want to stay?”
Trevor gives me an apologetic smile. “I have to get to class.”
“Yeah, of course,” I say, kicking myself for being such a sad lump that I missed my time with Trevor. “Um. Have a good day.”
Trevor leans down to kiss a freckle on my cheek before turning for the door. I slump as he heads through it.
“So, uh,” Camden says, his voice close. “He asked me to give this to you.”
I turn to find my housemate holding out another poppy. I let out an incredulous huff before looking through the front window. Trevor is already gone, the sneaky fuck.
“Thanks,” I tell Camden.
I head back up to my room, adding the flower to the vase and cradling my drink in my hands. It’s warm, smelling of bitter coffee and hazelnut, so perfect I want to cry. I savor my first sip.
Another ping has me quickly grabbing my phone. It’s not Trevor this time but the group chat.
Lumi: Doing all right, babe?
Me: Fine.
Lumi: Oh boy.
Lumi: Should I come over?
Me: No.
Me: Thanks, though.
It’s a minute before another text comes through.
Todd: Check outside your door.
Sighing, I get up and open my bedroom door. There, in the middle of the hallway, is another poppy.
“The fuck,” I mutter, looking down the hall for Todd. His door is closed, although I know precisely who put him up to this.
Despite myself, a smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I pick up the flower. I put it with the others and cocoon myself inside my fluffiest blanket. Wrapped up, I sip my hazelnut latte, the memory of Trevor surrounding me and keeping me warm.
It’s after noon when I finally force myself to get out of bed and act like a human being. I shower, dress in actual clothes, and am just about to scrounge for lunch when my phone dings.
Bruiser: Can I ask you for a favor?
My eyebrow pops up, but I reply without question.
Me: Of course. What’s up?
Bruiser: I left a flash drive at home with a project I need to hand in during my next class. Any chance you could swing by and pick it up for me? My uncle can let you in.
