“Wow.” My body warmed. “What subjects?”
“Calc and physics. I’m having a harder time finding chemistry tests.”
I paged through them. They appeared to hold a wealth of information. “Thanks. This is great.”
Class began, and the teacher went over sample problems on the board. I followed along as best I could, trying to focus.
Afterward, Jay and I walked out together. “You going back to the dorm?” he asked.
I heard him, but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t stop thinking about my dad, imagining him sitting at the defendant’s table in a courtroom.
Ugh. I needed to get that image out of my head.
“Ade,” Jay said, a little more urgently than I thought necessary. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry. Yeah, that’s where I’m going. Back to the dorm.”
“All right.” He waved at me, but it was weak, his eyes all-knowing. “See you later.”
I needed a distraction. Something bigger than class, something that would make me completely forget about Dad.
My phone dinged, and I fished it out.
DALLAS
You busy tonight?
I smiled for the first time that day.
No. Except I need to start getting ready for the chemistry test next week.
DALLAS
Want to study?
Where?
DALLAS
The engineering building again?
The hallway to get there is too cold.
DALLAS
My room?
Ha! I don’t think I can study in there. Too many other things to do.
DALLAS
Agreed
4th floor lounge?
DALLAS
So you really don’t care if anyone sees us, do you?