Page 4 of The Future Play

Rae’s smile grows. “I can’t lie. It usually works out pretty well for us when we add a new friend. Been a while, but I think you might be a good fit.”

I grab another brownie. “For these brownies, I’ll contort myself into whatever shape I need to fit into. But this little friend group sounds amazing too.”

“So what’s your story?” Sarah asks. “How’d you end up at SUNY FL?”

“Oh, and what kind of horror story roommate situation are you trying to escape?” Mackie asks.

“My roommate horror story is a classic. She thinks the room belongs to her and her hookups and loves to lock me out.”

“Ew,” Sarah says.

“Yeah, I don’t love it.”

“Well, I promise I’m not like that,” Mackie says. “You’ll be rooming with me, and I’m usually the most laid-back of thebunch.” She cups her hand around her mouth and loudly whispers, “The rest of them are very dramatic.”

Rae reaches over and smacks her thigh as Mackie laughs.

“Oh, and by the way, my full name is Mackenzie. They just decided my name was Mackie when we were four, and it stuck. My mom always calls me by my full name. My dad and my girlfriend both call me Kenz.”

“Girlfriend?” I ask.

“Yeah. I don’t love labels, but I’m a lesbian. Even though it’s not a big deal to me and shouldn’t be a big deal, I usually throw that in early because?—”

“Then the trash takes itself out?” I ask.

Mackie looks relieved. “Yes.”

“Well, no worries here. I’m bi. And I get exactly what you mean. I finally taught myself to stop saying ‘I hope that’s not a problem’ because fuck anyone who thinks it is.”

“I’m here for that energy,” Rae says.

“Same,” Sarah says.

“So, Mackie-Mackenzie-Kenz, do you have a preference for what I call you?”

She shrugs. “I’ll answer to just about anything.”

I arch a brow. “So, what you’re saying is I should come up with a ridiculous nickname for you and see if you’ll answer to it?”

She laughs. “Sure. Why not?”

Her eyes dance with mischief. She seems to be the most playful of the three. They’re all upbeat and fun, but it’s obvious Rae wears her emotions on her sleeve. And there’s something haunted in Sarah’s eyes. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it. But I’m usually good at picking up on things like that.

“Well, I’ll be working on nickname ideas over break.”

“Hit me with your best shot,” Mackie says with a wink.

Sarah laughs and shakes her head. “You two are definitely a good match.”

“Fate,” Rae whispers dramatically. And there’s something in her voice that tells me she truly believes that. I’m cautiouslyoptimistic that not only did I just find some new roommates for next semester but also some new friends.

We’reover an hour into a conversation about their wild friend group, how I ended up at SUNY FL, and what we’re all studying, when the door to their room swings open and a band of boys walks in.

I’m pretty sure they said only three go here with them, but there’s a fourth with them. I take a shot guessing which is which. Aaron is the easiest because of how he looks at Rae. Based on the physical descriptions they gave me, I figure out the other two fairly quickly as well. Then they introduce the fourth guy—Trevor—a friend from Ida, who then announces he brought a special present. And in walks Mackenzie’s girlfriend, Hyla. It’s a lot of people and big personalities, but I love being lost in it all.

As someone who often feels like I’m too big or too much, it’s comforting being surrounded by people with similarly big energy.

Then Mackie and Hyla disappear to Mackie’s room and Sarah and Rae suggest we make ourselves scarce.

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