Page 29 of Becoming Selfish

“How is everything?” I ask him with genuine curiosity. “I mean, I know Eli’s birth father passed, but how are you both doing?”

As Eli’s name leaves my mouth, Marc looks at me out of the corner of his eye. I’ve never called Eli by his name in front of Marc before, and he probably assumed I would call him ‘EJ’ or ‘Maddison’ like everyone else does. Hopefully he doesn’t find it weird that I call his brother by a name that no one else seems to refer to him as.

“I’m assuming EJ stopped by your room this morning?”

I silently nod my head in response.

“Yeah, he was asking where you might be.” He pauses. “But to answer your question. I’m doing fine. I never liked Jamie much, especially how he treated his relationship with EJ. And as far as EJ goes, he’s doing surprisingly well. Whatever you said to him the other night seemed to really resonate with him. He seemed a lot less angry towards Jamie, and I think they even had a real conversation before he passed.”

He nudges my shoulder. “So, thank you. For whatever you said to him.”

“Can I ask you a question?” I ask my best friend.

“Of course.”

“Did you really need me to bring your assignments over the other night? Because I could’ve easily emailed them to you like I did the rest of the week.” I glance up at him suspiciously.

He laughs as I catch him red-handed. “Well, I was happy to see you regardless, but honestly, I didn’t know how to help EJ. I know the situation with your parents was different, but I’ve never dealt with losing someone before. I thought maybe you could help him.”

His sweet answer makes me smile. He’s such a considerate person, and he loves his brother dearly.

“I’m sorry if you felt pressured to tell him about your dad, that wasn’t my intention.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t at all. I’m glad I could be there for him. And you.”

We continue our walk in silence for a few more moments.

“So, party at the hockey house tonight. You down?” Marc asks me, changing the subject.

“I don’t think so. I’m going to stay in and get some studying done.”

“For real?”

“But you should take Ali. You know she won’t turn down a party,” I add, trying to take the attention off of me.

“Yeah, maybe.” He avoids eye contact, just as he does every time I bring her up in conversation.

By the time we make it to the lecture hall, it’s almost entirely full already. I’m typically at least fifteen minutes early to every class, so I hadn’t realized we were running behind. Spotting Ali towards the middle of the room with two empty seats reserved next to her, I point Marc in her direction, and we make our way over, just as the professor enters the room.

“Thanks for saving us seats.” I take the chair closest to her, putting my backpack at my feet.

“No problem. Hey, Marcus,” Ali says shyly, smiling up at him.

“Hey,” he flatly answers before taking his seat.

They’ve been awkward around each other since they met. Ali tends to be shy when he’s around, which is unlike her, and Marc is almost mute when she’s near. They’re my two closest friends, so I’m going to make it my mission for them to get comfortable around each other.

My phone ding in my bag, but I ignore it.

“Ali, there’s a party at the hockey house tonight. You should go with Marc,” I tell her as Marc stiffens in the seat next to me.

“Are you going?” she asks me.

My phone dings again.

“No, I’m going to stay in and study.”

Another ding.

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