After ✔

29

"How've you been doing?" I sit back on the bed against the headboard and grab a pillow, squeezing it against it my chest.

Claire is currently sprawled on my bed, laying on her stomach. Her freshly highlighted hair is tied up into a knot, and even though she wouldnt let anybody ever see her like this, Rosie and I are exceptions.

Next to her with a closed book in her hand, is Rosie. She looks the same, with her red hair and eyes greener than ever. 

It's currently 9 o'clock, and since I spent the whole of yesterday in my bed, I'm not feeling the least bit tired. It's the weekend, so Claire and Rosie have come over.

"Boring." She snorts. "You'd think people who go to university would be more mature. Cayden's right, it's only half a step up from high school."

"And she hangs out with the sorority girls." Rosie jabs her thumb at Claire. "She's underrating the whole experience."

I turn to Rosie and pass her a half-smile. "I bet she studies even less, now that class presence isn't required."

"It's not, and she doesn't." Rosie laughs. "She's either clubbing, or having sex with Liam."

Claire throws a pillow at her. "I'm just enjoying the whole experience as you call it."

"How are you and Liam?" I ask her. "The last time I heard, you were throwing things at him and threatening to leave."

Rosie mouths everyday to me before Claire can see.

"I don't know, Val." Claire sighs dramatically. "And these days, it's not even my fault, really. It's like some days he's ready to give 90 percent and others, not more than a 5."

"Boys, huh." Rosie shakes her head. "This is why Kevin and I decided to break up and stay friends. Better than doing the whole on-again, off-again thing."

I whip my head towards her. "When did that happen?"

"Four months ago." Rosie chuckles. "Didn't I tell you?"

I shake my head and lean forward. "But you and Kevin were so perfect together!"

"I know right," said Claire. "And after everything you two went through to actually be together, it surprises me on how quickly things took such a turn."

"It's okay," Rosie shrugs. "I was miserable at first, but now... I feel, I don't know, kind of okay I guess. I don't miss him as much as I thought I would and besides, we see each other almost everyday anyways, so nothing's different."

I purse my lips. But they were Rosie and Kevin. How did I not notice sooner?

"As tempted as I am to ask about Dani," Claire says a little louder to grab my attention. But she doesn't need to because I look at her as soon as she says Dani. "Let's move on from the topic of boys and studies." She shudders like she's annoyed by the very words.

"How long are you staying?" Rosie asks me.

"Two weeks, maybe a half more." I shrug. "I can't stay very long, classes begin soon and I'm already behind."

"Did you think of moving here for next semester?" Claire asks.

"Oh I don't want to." I screw up my nose playfully. "I would hate seeing you all ever day and Claire, did I mention you got fatter?"

Rosie bites her lip to hide a smile. She pretends to examine Claire and nods at me briskly. "She did."

Claire gasps and her eyes widen. "You little--" she hits both of us with pillows, and I'm the first to retaliate, laughing and hitting her back.