I lugged my bag over my shoulders, and trudged to Morgan along the salted sidewalk. A small group of students had started a snowball fight on the greens, and Finch shuddered at the sight of them, covered in colorless powder.
I wobbled my knee, keeping Finch company as he finished his cigarette. America scurried beside us, rubbing her bright green mittens together.
“Where’s Shep?” I asked.
“He went home. Travis needed help with something, I guess.”
“You didn’t go with him?”
“I don’t live there, Abby.”
“Only in theory,” Finch winked at her.
America rolled her eyes. “I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, so sue me.”
Finch flicked his cigarette into the snow. “I’m heading out, ladies. I’ll see you at dinner?”
America and I nodded, smiling when Finch first kissed my cheek and then America’s. He stayed on the wet sidewalk, careful to stay in the middle so that he wouldn’t miss and step into the snow.
America shook her head at his efforts. “He is ridiculous.”
“He’s a Floridian, Mare. He’s not used to the snow.”
She giggled and pulled me toward the door.
“Abby!”
I turned to see Parker jogging past Finch. He stopped, catching his breath a moment before he spoke. His puffy grey coat heaved with each breath, and I chuckled at America’s curious stare as she watched him.
“I was…whew! I was going to ask you if you wanted to grab a bite to eat tonight.”
“Oh. I uh…I already told Finch I’d eat with him.”
“All right, it’s no big deal. I was just going to try that new burger place downtown. Everyone’s saying it’s really good.”
“Maybe next time,” I said, realizing my mistake. I hoped that he wouldn’t take my flippant reply as a postponement. He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets, quickly walking back the way he came.
Kara was reading ahead in her brand-new books, grimacing at America and I when we walked in. Her demeanor hadn’t improved since we’d returned from break.
Before, I had spent so much at Travis’ that Kara’s insufferable comments and attitude were tolerable. Spending every evening and night with her during the two weeks before the semester ended, I was beginning to regret my decision not to room with America.
“Oh, Kara. How I’ve missed you,” America said.
“The feeling is mutual,” Kara grumbled, keeping her eyes on her book.
America chatted about her day and plans with Shepley for the weekend. We scoured the internet for funny videos, laughing so hard we were wiping away tears. Kara huffed a few times at our disruption, but we ignored her.
I was grateful for America’s visit. The hours passed so quickly that I didn’t spend a moment wondering if Travis had called until she decided to call it a night.
America yawned and looked at her watch. “I’m going to bed, Ab…aw, shit!” she said, snapping her fingers. “I left my make-up bag at Shep’s.”
“That’s not a tragedy, Mare,” I said, still giggling from the latest video we’d watched.
“It wouldn’t be if I didn’t have my birth control in there. C’mon. I have to go get it.”
“Can’t you just get Shepley to bring them?”
“Travis has his car. He’s at the Red with Trent.”
I felt sick. “Again? Why is he hanging out with Trent so much, anyway?”
America shrugged. “Does it matter? C’mon!”
“I don’t want to run into Travis. It’ll be weird.”
“Do you ever listen to me? He’s not there, he’s at the Red. Come on!” she whined, tugging on my arm.
I stood up with mild resistance as she pulled me from the room.
“Finally,” Kara said.
We pulled up to Travis’ apartment, and I noted that the Harley was parked under the stairs, and that Shepley’s Charger was missing. I breathed a sigh of relief, and followed America up the icy steps.
“Careful,” she warned.