Chapter 3
The dial tone buzzed and I finally dropped the fake act.
The next two days were dead quiet.
Aaron didn’t call again, just shot me a couple reminder texts about those library seats like he was terrified I’d somehow mess up and ruin Sophia’s precious study plans.
Meanwhile, Sophia posted on Instagram – a picture from that trendy downtown café I’d been telling Aaron I wanted to try.
Her caption: “Feels like all my hard work goes nowhere… totally hitting rock bottom rn? thankful for someone who’s been there through it all, hoping we can get away together over break”
Aaron’s comment was right there for everyone to see: “gonna spoil you with all the best food over break?”
A neat little row of likes and sympathy comments from mutual friends.
I scrolled right past without even tapping to see the full photo.
The day before break started, someone knocked on my dorm door.
I opened it to find Aaron and Sophia standing there.
Sophia immediately flashed me this apologetic smile: “Rachel! Hope we’re not bothering you?”
Aaron was already looking past me into my room, his eyes zeroing in on my carry-on sitting next to my bed. His brow furrowed slightly.
H
“What’s up?” I stayed in the doorway, clearly not inviting them in.
金钱
多
“Oh, nothing major,” Aaron said casually. “Sophia wants to get to the station early tomorrow, so I’m helping her pack. Figured we’d swing by and check on you.”
(wiB0″””,
His gaze drifted back to my suitcase with this scrutinizing look: “You… manage to get a ticket? Standing room? Same train as
us?”
DEST F
O
Sophia blinked at me with fake concern: “It would be so great if you’re on our train! That way we can look out for each other, help with bags and stuff…”
Looking at her phony expression, I said slowly: “I buy a ticket.”
They both froze.
Sophia recovered first, her voice carrying the smugness: “Oh no! No ticket? Rachel, how are you getting home? Are even the standing room is gone? Oh my gosh, what are you gonna do?”
Aaron’s face darkened.
“Rachel, what the hell have you been doing these past two days? I told you to get on booking something. Now you’re telling me you have nothing? What, you planning to walk home?”
Watching them play good cop, bad cop, I had to fight back a smirk.
Chapter 3
“I have my way to get home,” I said flatly.
“How exactly?”
Aaron’s voice was getting sharp and impatient.
“Still acting tough when you’re completely screwed! I knew you were unreliable – can’t handle anything properly. And now you’re probably gonna blame me again, make it all about how I…”
“Aaron, don’t be so hard on Rachel.”
Sophia gently tugged on Aaron’s sleeve, then turned to me: “Rachel, if you’re really stuck, my roommate has this apartment off-campus. I could get you the keys…”
She pulled out her phone, tapped around, then held the screen toward me.
The photo showed some dingy studio apartment – water stains on the ceiling, pizza boxes and energy drink cans everywhere, this wobbly IKEA desk covered in moldy coffee mugs and textbooks.
I stared at that disaster of an apartment photo.
“No thanks.”
I turned them down again, glancing between the two of them with the tiniest smile.
“My ride’s actually gonna be way faster than your train.”
