Page 48 of Meet Me at the Metro

“You’re all good,” he chuckles, waving me off. “No need to explain yourself. I’m sorry I barged in like that. I should have knocked. I just saw the time and wanted to make sure you didn’t miss your class this morning. Did you mean to sleep in?”

“No,” I say, prompted to glance toward the clock on the wall and discover that I’m 45 minutes late for vocal studies.“Shit!”

Harvey gives me a wane smile. “Up late?”

“Ugh, yes,” I sigh. “I was cramming in homework for Henderson’s class today. I must have accidentally slept through my alarms.”

“We’ve all been there,” he assures. “One missed class won’t kill you.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. What about you? No classes this morning?”

“Nope. My professor canceled lecture today, so I get the day to myself. Going to head toWaterstonesthis morning and buy more books I don’t need.”

“You lucky, lucky man.”

“I know, right?”He wraps me into a gentle, friendly embrace before he starts heading to the door. “Going to get there before theBookToktrolls raid all the good ones. I’ll see you tonight?”

“Yes, you will,” I grin. “Be sure to buy one with lots of smut for me, okay?”

He winks and gives me a knowing smile. “You’ve got it.”

“Mrs. Caldwell, please. Is there any way I can stay in the course? I’m willing to do anything.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Mattice, but nothing can be done. This is adanceclass, as you’re well aware,” my dance instructor says, darting her eyes down to my crutches and bandaged foot. “There’s absolutely no way you’d be able to keep up with your ankle like that.”

“But maybe I could—”

“It’s not gonna work out,” she interrupts. “You need to withdraw from the course before the drop deadline. Think of it as an opportunity to have some time to polish up your moves before you try enrolling again next semester.”

Ouch.

“Yeah, okay…alright.Thanks.”

I don’t spare her another look as I maneuver my way out of the hardwood dance studio on my crutches, feeling immensely embarrassedas their padded ends echo through the open space. Before I push through the doors leading outside, I take note of my reflection in the mirrors encasing the room, getting a reminding glimpse of my current state.

I can’t help but feel defeated.

What the hell am I supposed to do? I had all of my classes lined up, and my schedule was on a perfect trajectory to complete my year of studies here. Now, this damn sprained ankle has thrown me and my plans one massive curveball. I have to find an elective to take this class’ place, and I have to find it fast.

My crutches painfully dig underneath my arms as I reach the campus courtyard. In the distance, I see Connor waiting for me in our usual spot, and I head straight for him.

“How’d it go?”

“Horrible,” I frown. “She’s making me drop the course.”

“You’re kidding?”

“I wish I was. I’ve got to find another class to take before the late semester registration closes.”

“I’m so sorry, Ellie. What can I do to help?”

“I don’t know,” I sigh, letting out a grunt of pent-up frustration. I need things to come together before my hope and motivation start dwindling because, after the events in the last few days, I’m nearly running on empty. “I’ll figure something out.”

“I don’t have any doubt you will. You’ve had a shitty week. I really am sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I lie. I reach into my bookbag and pull out a stack of papers. “I think I’m gonna skip Henderson’s class today. Think you could turn these in for me?”

“Of course. You sure you’re gonna be alright? I can figure out something to help.”

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