I make a mental note to check my email as soon as class ends.
I’m already miles away from the lecture.
Not that I don’t get fluid dynamics—I do. Engineering’s always come naturally to me. I actually already know most of what he’s talking about from reading ahead. Equations, data, problem-solving—I like that kind of stuff. But after a summer spent outdoors at camp, this fluorescent lighting and recycled air is a harsh awakening. I don’t learn best in these conditions.
My brain drifts, as it does, toward more important things.
Like the fact that it’s the first week back, which means two things:
One—we’re definitely partying this weekend.
Two—I need to figure out the new group dynamics before then.
Alfie and Tara are athingnow. Yeah. That took a minute to process.
My best friend. My little sister. Together.
When I first found out, I didn’t exactly respond with grace and maturity. There might’ve been yelling. Possibly a threat or two. I think I told Alfie I’d neuter him with a butter knife.
Was it an overreaction? Probably.
Do I regret it? Also, probably.
The truth is, Tara’s not just my sister. She’s... Tara. I was nine years old when everything went sideways. She was eight and suddenly I’m the one packing her lunch and checking her homework and lying through my teeth that everything was fine. That Mom just needed rest. That Dad would call next week and was just at work conferences.
So yeah. I kind of appointed myself her guardian for life.
And then Alfie, one of my best friends but one of the most guarded guys I know, brilliant, deeply allergic to expressing emotion—goes and falls for her. Out of nowhere.
At first, I hated it. Not because he’s not good enough. Heis. Probably better than most. But because it meant someone else was looking out for her now. Someone I didn’t control.
And here’s the thing.
I’ve seen how he looks at her.
Like she’sgravity. Like the whole damn world revolves around her and he’s just lucky to orbit nearby.
And she? She doesn’t let him get away with anything. It’s beautiful. Terrifying. Weirdly inspiring.
They work.
And Alfie’s never been happier. Or, like,lighter. Still his usual cryptic self, but with less existential gloom and more… I don’t know. Whipped joy?
I’d die before saying this out loud, but I think she’s good for him. And more importantly, I think he’s good for her.
So yeah. I backed off.
But that doesn’t mean I’m not watching. I’ve always watched. That’s just what I do.
Especially with all the partying we’ll be doing this week. It’s our final year, so we are goinghard.
It’s the first real test of the New Group Era. My two other roommates, Ethan and Freddie, are off the market as well.
Ethan’s in a “fling” with Paige and pretending he hasn’t already named their future children.
Freddie is with his girlfriend, and Tara’s best friend, Alex. They are disgustingly synced, as always. Sharing playlists and finishing each other’s sentences like they’re auditioning for a joint TED Talk. But I love her like a sister myself now. And Tara and Alfie are still in their honeymoon phase—gross and weird and alarmingly functional.
And me?
