Mason:relax rocket, I’m inside. campus shut everything down, we’re basically snow prisoners
Me:not funny. stay inside. seriously
Mason: yes ma’am. you safe? heat working?
Me:I’m good. don’t worry about me, I’ve got it handled
Mason:sure you do. text me later so I know you didn’t freezeto death
Me:idiot. go watch your movie
Mason:love you too
I stare at the screen for a second longer before locking it, exhaling slowly.
“I think I’ll try to drive out to campus and stay with Mason,” I say, turning toward Dex.
He’s closer than I expected.
His eyes widen. “Are you out of your mind, Tinker?”
I square my shoulders. “I’m a grown woman.”
“You are,” he says, unimpressed, “but your car’s tires aren’t made for this. You’ll end up stranded in the middle of nowhere freezing to death.”
His voice is calm, but there’s no room for argument in it, no hesitation, like he’s already decided how this ends.
Like he’s already picturing it.
And I hate how sure he sounds.
I grind my teeth, the frustration rising fast, sharp.
Then I sigh.
Because he’s right.
And I hate that he’s right.
“Alright,” I mutter. “Guess we’re stuck together for God knows how long.”
The words feel heavier than they should.
Loaded.
I turn toward the stairs.
“Could be worse,” he says behind me.
I glance back. “Oh yeah? How?”
A slow smile spreads across his face, the kind that makes something in my stomach tighten in a way that has nothing to do with fear.
“You could still be living in that car of yours.”
A shiver runs through me before I can stop it, the memory hitting harder than I expect.
I turn back to the stairs.
