“Cassian you got a C minus on your history final junior year.”
“That was a different time. I’ve grown.”
I laugh.
He laughs.
And I think — see.
See. This is real. This is us. The rest of it is just life getting in the way and we’re okay and —
He says he has to go.
Just like that.
Close to me the whole time and then — I have to go, talk soon, goodnight.
• • •
Gone.
I sit with my phone in my hand.
Talk soon.
He doesn’t call for nine days.
Nine days.
I count them.
Of course I count them.
I have been counting days since I was sixteen years old.
I don’t reach out first.
Not this time.
I’m trying something new.
I’m trying to not be the only one reaching.
• • •
It lasts four more days.
Then I text.
Hey. Miss you.
He reads it immediately.
Responds six hours later.
Miss you too. Crazy week. Talk soon.
I read it standing in the dining hall line.
