My fingers are numb, my nose is about to fall off, and I’m pretty sure if I hit one more pothole, my ass is going to be permanently concussed.
I need a car. A heater. A comfortable seat. A windshield that shields against wind, which seems like such a basic concept that I’m personally offended my current mode of transport doesn’t have one. But cars cost money. And that issomething I don’t have. Well, I have some savings. My mom wasn’t exactly reliable growing up, so I learned early on that I needed to look after myself, and after so long of building up my savings, I could probably afford a car now. But then I won’t have enough money to make myself feel safe. So I keep pedaling, imagining that every rotation of my stupid frozen wheels is bringing me one step closer to never having to do this again.
Lacey’s apartment is one of those nicer, newer places that UMS students with richer parents or better luck manage to snag. A three-bedroom with modern appliances and a couch that doesn’t look like it was salvaged from the side of the road. I slam my bike against the railing outside, rub my cold fingers on my jeans, and knock once before pushing the door open.
“It’s open!” Lacey calls.
Inside, the warmth hits me instantly, and I resist the urge to just stand in the doorway and defrost. Lacey is on the couch, legs draped over her boyfriend Carter’s lap, scrolling through her phone. Chloe is sitting on the floor painting her nails, and Brianna—half-dressed in what is clearly a pre-going-out outfit—is fixing her hair in the mirror by the TV.
“Oh my god, you look like a corpse,” Chloe says, wrinkling her nose when she looks up.
“Thanks, really boosting my confidence,” I mutter, kicking off my boots.
Lacey grins as I flop down next to her. “It’s cold out, huh?”
“Oh, wouldn’t know. My bike has heated seats and climate control,” I say, deadpan.
Carter snorts. Lacey pats my knee sympathetically.
“Bitch, you should just get a car,” Brianna says, adjusting her top in the mirror.
I stare at her.
“Oh, wow. You fixed it. I’ll just manifest one out of thin air.”
Brianna rolls her eyes. “Okay, whatever, sorry. Anyway, we’re going out later, but you can stay and pregame if you want.”
“Nah, I have stuff to do,” I say.
Chloe tilts her head. “Ugh, is it for your super smart thing?”
I sigh.
“Yes, Chloe, it’s for my super smart thing.”
Brianna turns away from the mirror. “Wait, is that the competition thing? With the scholarship?”
“Grant,” I correct.
“Right, right. And you’re doing it with—who again?”
I hesitate for a second too long and Lacey immediately catches it.
“Oh my god!” She gasps, sitting up. “Wait. Who’s your partner? Is it Baxter? Are you going to have to work with him again?”
“No, it’s just…” I exhale, hating that this is my life now. “It’s Troy Hawkins.”
The room goes silent.
Then, all at once, erupts.
“Wait, Troy Hawkins?!” says Chloe
“You’re joking,” says Brianna
“Oh, fuck,” says Lacey
Carter, who has been mostly silent, raises a hand.
