6

I tried working on homework, but couldn't bring myself to focus. My energy was still high from my conversations with Chloe and my mom.

Plus, I still had first week jitters. I'd flipped through My Antonia three times but couldn't bring myself to read past the first line. Our assignment was to have the entire book read by the following Monday.

If I can't get into this book, I may as well drop this class now.

Tyler: Do you still want to meet up? I'm about to head to the dining hall, if you want to join

Did I want to meet up with him?

No, I don't. I just took out my frustrations from my mom and Chloe out on you. I don't even know how to begin apologizing to you.

Tyler: I get it if you don't want to. I don't want to cause issues with you and your friends. You can look for a different partner, if you want.

My stomach growled, making my decision for me.

Me: I don't want another partner.

Me: And, I'm not friends with her.

Me: I can meet you downstairs in a few minutes.

His response was almost immediate.

Tyler: See you soon.

***

He was waiting for me in the Commons, scrolling on his phone. After a brief glance, he avoided eye contact with me. The walk to the dining hall was quiet.

He's obviously not going to be the one to bring this up.

"I'm sorry about snapping at you before," I said as he opened the door for me. I walked through the door backward to catch his reaction. He shook his head and shrugged. I thought he would respond, but he didn't even take a breath deep enough to start talking.

Ugh. I was going to make this one-sided communication work if it was the end of me.

"I'm sorry," I repeated. He shot me a quick sideways glance, but still didn't say anything.

"I have a lot going on right now, and I took it out on you. It isn't an excuse, but the whole conversation with Chloe made me really mad. You heard everything, right?"

He nodded.

"We have a history," I said slowly as we swiped our meal cards and started heading up the stairs. Then, I amended it before continuing. "Our families have a history going back a long time. Chloe and I have had a very complicated past, but my mom still expects us to be friends. It's a long story. Anyway…" I knew I was rambling. I looked over at him as we started picking out our food. He caught my eye and quickly looked away, reaching for a piece of pizza and walking away. I hurried to fill my plate and catch up with him.

"Anyway…"

We sat at a table close to the exit.

Stop rambling. He's probably not even paying attention.

I looked up from my pasta to make eye contact with him. He nodded, so I quickly said "We haven't been friends for a while. My mom keeps trying to force it because the family friendship goes back several generations."

After a few bites of pasta, I could feel his eyes on me.

"Sorry," I said. "I'm sure you don't want to hear all this drama from some girl you just met. Long story short, well, I'm sorry about what happened earlier today. All of it. I'm not friends with her, and I am looking forward to working on this project with you."

He gave me a half-smile and nodded.

"Let's just say that there was a big fallout between us, and that contributed to Chloe and I ending our friendship."

I didn't feel like providing any more information, and I had a feeling that he wasn't going to push. I was right.

We finished the rest of the meal in a comfortable silence. After we were done eating and putting our dishes away, we walked back to the dorm.

"Thanks for letting me vent to you," I said, badging the door open. He gave me another half-smile and a slight nod.

He started walking up the stairs to the Commons area.

"I'll see you around, Tyler," I said, starting my walk down the hallway to my room.