I sighand answer while still scrolling my emails. “You are unhinged.”
“Well, well, well,” Lacey drawls, ignoring me. “Miss ‘I’ll Probably Get Rejected’ is now Miss Future Innovator. That toilet block doesn’t know what’s coming!”
“Shut up,” I mutter, but I’m grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.
“So how was the meeting?”
I exhale, slow and long. Press my fingers to my eyelids.
“It was ok, but....”
I start scanning the list, nobody’s name jumps out at me. Idon’t know what I was expecting, but I have no idea who I can pair with.
My smile evaporates. “No.”
“Uh… yes?” Lacey says on the other end. “That’s literally the thing. You got in.”
“It’s a partnered competition.” Flat. Dead.
“Oh.Shit.”
Exactly.
“I thought it was solo. It’salwaysbeen solo. But now I have to find a partner — someone outside my field — and I know basically no one at this university besides you guys.”
“Well, hold on,” Lacey says quickly. “Do you want me to ask around? Maybe I know someone who?—”
“Do you know anyone who got in?”
A pause.
“Actually... no. Most of the people I know are coasting through UMS and wouldn’t apply for anything extra unless there was free weed or alcohol involved.”
“Awesome.”
“Still. You got in,” she says gently. “Even if it’s not what you imagined — I’m proud of you.”
I shift uncomfortably on the couch. Compliments are a weird texture in my mouth — like food I’m allergic to.
It’s nice hearing Lacey be proud, though.
We were forced roommates freshman year—thrown together by the dorm gods—but ended up inseparable. She wanted to move into a place near frat row with some girls she’d met, but it was eye-wateringly expensive, and I didn’t know Chloe or Brianna. So I got this apartment. Further from campus so I have to bike in everyday but it’s on my own.
In the past two years, we’ve drifted. She’s become more like them. I’ve become more… alone.
I’ve tried,God, I’ve tried to be like them—but I’m not.
Chloe and Brianna are loud. They love frat parties and crowds and chaos.
I miss Lacey the way she was in the dorms. Watching movies at 2 a.m. Talking and laughing until we passed out.
“I know,” I say. “It just... makes things more complicated. I need to make some friends.”
“Only a little,” she says. “You’ll figure it out.”
“Hold on one sec, Lace. I’m gonna check the list again.”
“‘Kay.”
