om. Sitting at a small table across from Mr. Wright and my excessively exuberant brother Ethan, I grabbed my cup li

s enthusiasm was practically bouncing off the walls. "Man, it's so good to see you

iendly laugh that made me wonder if he ever laughed that way during class. I wouldn't know. The m

said. "I don't think I could ever take

ow him! I have heard many

oommates in a shoebox-sized dorm with a malfunctioning heater and one sad desk chair. Chris had balanced Ethan's wild demeanor with his perfectly arranged books and talent for making insta

a sneer, stating Ethan's Chrisural appeal most likely offset his lack of preparation. Over time, their friendship turned into something solid and unshakable, built on trust, lo

Mr. Wright? I need some t

e of nonverbal understanding that lifelong frien

than dropp

e down and leaning forward conspiratori

Don't engage me in this bromance. L

a trace of inquiry in his no

ards me like I was a pro

bit of a

dripping with indigChrision. "I'

d with everything going on at home, I just... I need to k

me, his gaze lingering a little longer than nece

er," he said carefully."But I'd be pleased to assis

ssing a foolish sense of relief.

s face in the meanwhile. On one hand, it would be immensely satisfying. O

dramatic clink. "What does 'keeping an eye on me'

st means Chris will be around if you need anything. You kno

---

needed and in that wayI

back."I don't need a babysitter, and I definitely don't n

a more serious tone, "this isn't up for

ice. "What's best for me is not having my life turned into some kind of ch

r-brother way. Mr. Wright, meanwhile, looked like he'd walked into a

red, "it's not about interfering. It's about being a resou

back into my chair and crossing my

n never win

trics. "Anyway, Alina, why don't you head back

"You're kic

than corrected. "Just gi

led by this sudden development. Great. Now it wa

as much dignity as I could muster

d. "We will.

ut conspiracy theories. What could they possibly need to talk about that I couldn't hear? Wa

But a girl c

The boldness of Ethan, treating me like some kind of del

reed to it like it was the m

re: Ethan's over protectiveness or Mr. Wr

ere was something about the way Mr. Wright had looked at me

possibly be ta

o change everything. But deep down, I couldn't