Chapter 4

As soon as Nathan noticed me approaching, he stubbed out his cigarette beneath his shoe. Then he looked at me with interest.

“With what?”

I held up my phone. Just as I finally worked up the courage to speak, someone tapped my shoulder.

Why did the universe hate me?

I turned around. It was Jacob, a guy in my department who took the same classes. He liked asking questions, talked way too much, and had absolutely. No. Sense. Of timing.

His smile was so genuine that I couldn’t even work up the anger.

“Emily! What a coincidence. I’m eating here, too.”

Nathan straightened. “I’ll let you two talk. I’m heading back inside.”

Then he walked past me.

“Did you need something, Jacob?”

Jacob scratched his head awkwardly. “Uh… I just saw you and wanted to say hi…”

I nodded and started to leave.

He stopped me again, his voice trembling slightly. “Could I add you on Snapchat?”

Great. Someone had finally said what I’d been trying to say.

It was only exchanging contact details. It didn’t mean anything. I took out my phone and added him.

Exactly. It was just Snapchat. Nathan probably wouldn’t turn me down either.

By the time I got back to the table, plenty of people had passed out. Everyone was getting ready to leave, so I hauled Chloe to her feet.

“Hey… beautiful!” someone called from behind me.

I didn’t dare turn around. I couldn’t be sure he meant me, although I certainly thought I qualified.

Then someone jogged over. It was a guy with a buzz cut who’d been at dinner. He rubbed his head and grinned. “Hey, almost forgot. Nathan said if you still need his help, add him and tell him what’s up. He had to leave early.”

Fireworks went off inside me. My face, however, remained perfectly calm.

“Okay.”

As soon as he gave me Nathan’s username, I sent a friend request. Nathan accepted almost immediately.

His profile picture was simple. After my shower, I found a message from him.

[So, Emily, what did you need help with?]

Me: [Oh… you’ve already helped.]

[But I haven’t done anything yet.]

Me: [I just wanted you to get out your phone and add me…]

Nathan stopped replying. Maybe he wasn’t thrilled that I’d tricked him into giving me his contact information…

Ten minutes later, just as I was about to sleep, my phone chimed.

My body ran on a strict schedule. Once eleven rolled around, I could barely keep my eyes open.

Fighting my sleepiness, I checked my phone. It was Nathan.

Nathan: [Actually, I need your help with something, too.]

Me: [Tell me tomorrow, Nathan. It’s late.]

Then I turned off my phone. When Chloe found out, she tapped my forehead and told me I was hopeless at flirting.

When I woke up, there were no new messages.

I had an early class. Anyone with an eight a.m. lecture knew what it felt like to be a half-dead dog.

I liked my usual seat by the window in the second-to-last row. From there, I could see the sky and the mountains in the distance. It felt like freedom. Sometimes, I could almost smell flowers carried in on the wind.

It was also a great spot for a nap.