Page 35 of Man On

I nearly lurch off my bed. Despite staring at my phone thinking about whether he'll text, I end up startling and tossing my phone up in the air when it actually happens. When it lands on the floor, it clatters loudly enough for him to hear it.

Lane: You alright in there?

Noah: I'm fine. Just dropped my phone.

I stare at my phone, waiting for him to respond until the screen times out, and I chuckle at how pathetic I'm acting. Why am I this invested in whether he's going to text me? Rolling my eyes at myself, I decide to text him. I've been looking for an opening, and this is as good as I've gotten.

Noah: What are you doing tomorrow?

Lane: Not sure. Why?

Noah: There's a campus fair or something at the student union tomorrow. I thought I might go check it out.

Lane: Isn’t that a showcase for campus organizations?

Lane: Are you going to join a club?

Noah: I might.

Lane: ??

I huff out a laugh. Am I so obvious?

Lane: Since when are school-sanctioned group activities your thing?

Noah: I'm sorry, are we not both on the same sports team? That we both play for? As a team?

Noah: A team is a group activity.

Lane: It's different.

Noah: Is it?

He's not wrong. I hate most organized group activities. I love being social, and playing soccer and being part of a team, but I dropped out of just about every other club our parents ever signed us up for. They were constantly trying to keep me busy to take the edge off my hyperactive tendencies, but nothing outside of soccer could keep my interest for long.

Lane: I’m pretty sure it’s all the same tables that were at the freshman orientation. Probably nothing new.

Noah: It’s something to do that isn’t working out, studying, or being stuck inside. I’m gonna go stir crazy.

Lane: What's this really about? You trying to scout out the sorority girls to find out which parties are going to have the hottest girls or something?

That's actually pretty genius and I'm going to pretend I thought of it first.

Noah: Caught me.

Noah: So you're coming with, right?

I watch the little dots pop up and then disappear, and I know he's trying to think of an excuse not to come with me.

Noah: Please come with me. Miah bailed and I don't want to go alone.

It's an outright lie, I never invited Miah. He would have come with me without question, even though he knows I'm not likely to sign up for any campus organizations. He's down to hang out anytime, anywhere. I've not been the most attentive friend to him lately, but he's been busy chasing a player from the girl's team that he met at the party we went to. He's so distracted by her, I don't think he's even noticed my preoccupation with my stepbrother.

Noah: Pretty sure there are campus Bible clubs and stuff.

Lane: ...

Noah: I'm not making fun. I'm serious. There are groups for all kinds of stuff. I'm kind of curious about the yoga club.

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