Page 24 of The Omega Archives: Part Two

She narrowed her eyes. “Cal called me.”

“He did?”

“Friday after you guys went out. He didn’t realize that I was still at the conference for the weekend, but… are you okay?”

“He called you.”

She nodded. “He said your phone died and were getting some sleep but wanted to make sure if I was home, I knew where you were. Kind of sweet.”

It was. If that was what happened.

At my stare, Rita cocked her head. “Are you alright?”

“I’m…” I paused, not sure what I should say. “I need to get to work. I’m late.”

“Same here.” She smiled. “We’ll need to meet up though. Dinner? If I’m home later.”

“Didn’t you just get back?” I looked by her feet for her bags, though I still felt like every movement was so much effort.

“A few hours ago,” Rita said. “I went out to coffee with a new friend. I met him at the conference. A new hire turns out.”

“You’re kidding.”

She smiled.

“That’s exciting, Rita.”

“It… it kind of is. He doesn’t even seem like an asshole like the rest of my dates usually,” she said. I was happy for her. This was good.

However, when I looked around the apartment, I could only imagine what it meant. More nights alone here in the apartment. Maybe even Rita would want to move out on her own or with someone else soon now that she was steadier and not on a constant academic warpath. She would probably even move to another university soon with better funding and opportunities.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay? You look a little sick.”

“Of course. I’m fine.”

Rita didn’t look convinced but smiled as if this was my usual antics when I was feeling under the weather and couldn’t take off.

“I can’t wait to hear more about this guy,” I said.

“And I want to hear all about your steamy weekend with that cutie,” said Rita, still smiling. Charge your phone when you get to work, and I’ll message you if I get out early.

“Sounds good.”

“Um, El?” Rita hedged.

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to change first?”

I looked down at the sweats I was still dressed in. “Oh. Right.”

“I didn’t think Cal was that large.”

I just shrugged, turning back towards my small room to quickly change, ignoring the question, and trying to piece back together my life when everything suddenly felt… wrong with each layer I took off.

Rita and I headed quickly toward campus. I could get to the library blind from my apartment after so many days of following the same routine and route, and today as Rita chatted about her conference, I zoned out as best I could so that I didn’t feel like I was about to fall over until we parted ways.

Sweat pooled along my hairline as I made it to the large building I spent more time in than anywhere else in the past seven years. This was where I was supposed to be safe. This was where I was meant to be.

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