“I did tell her. As nicely as possible. I said I wasn’t in a place to date anyone.” I run a hand through my hair. “She took that as ‘try again later.’”
“Because you were too nice about it. You gave her hope.”
“What was I supposed to say? ‘Sorry, you’re great, but I feel more chemistry with my houseplant’?”
“Yes! Well, maybe not the plant part.”
I slump against the counter. “She’s a good person. I wanted to be into it. I tried to be into it. But you can’t force that shit.”
“No,” Troy agrees. “You can’t. But you also can’t string her along because you feel guilty.”
“I’m not stringing—” I stop. Maybe I am, by not being firm enough. “Fuck.”
“Look, bring someone else to the party. Tara’s got loads of friends she wants to set you up with. Make it clear you’ve moved on. Or come solo and I’ll run interference if she shows up.”
“Is she coming?”
“Delilah invited her. Can’t uninvite her now.”
Great. An anything-but-clothes party where I’ll bedodging someone I disappointed. College really is about new experiences.
“I’ll handle it,” I say. “Maybe I’ll hide with Greg all night. Tell people I’m his bodyguard.”
“Or,” Troy suggests, “you could actually try meeting someone new. Someone you’re actually into.”
“Pass.”
“Your loss. One of Tara’s friends does yoga.”
“You mentioned. Advanced yoga.”
“No, different friend. This one doesaerialyoga. With the silk things.”
I throw a bottle cap at him. He dodges, laughing.
“I’m good,” I say. “Really. Just focused on finishing my game and graduating without embarrassing myself.”
“Fair.” Troy stands, stretching. “I’m gonna go pretend to work on this cover letter some more. You good?”
“Golden.”
He heads upstairs, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I finish my Red Bull, go back to my room, and try not to think about how quiet this house will be next year. How I’ll probably be in some studio apartment, eating cereal for dinner and talking to Greg about my feelings because he’s the only one around to listen.
My phone buzzes, saving me from the spiral.
Pip
Hey
I grin. Piper Renner, texting me outside of mandatory tutoring hours? This should be good.
Hey yourself, Renner. Finally ready to admit Greg is the superior life form?
I need a favor
No, I won’t do your Distributed Systems exam for you
I have a 94 in that class, but thanks for the vote of confidence
