I was heading to Sarah’s with most of my clothes and shoes packed in a giant rolling suitcase, when I ran into Gavin in the elevator. He seemed to flinch a little at seeing me, and I wasn’t so sure how to react to him either. We hadn’t talked much since I quit going to psych, dropping the class under emergency with the promise of taking it again next semester—hopefully with much better results.

Uncomfortable, but also not wanting to be rude, I smiled at him faintly and motioned to his bag of belongings. “Heading home?” I asked, going for the obvious question. This was clearly polite conversation.

“Oh, uh…yeah. I’m driving out. It’s good to have a car at home, ya know?” he said, nodding a bit at my bag. “You heading out with the girls?”

“Yeah, I’m driving in with Sarah. Calley took their car, and I like having someone to ride with,” I said, letting the rest of the elevator ride go silent. We were both staring at the floor now, working hard not to make eye contact with one another. I don’t know what made me speak up as the doors were opening and we were both wheeling our bags out, but something made me, like I needed closure. “So, see you in January?”

Gavin just nodded slowly at first, stopping in the lobby and looking down at his feet. “Yeah, uh…probably not, Noles. I’m moving into Cortez Hall. It’s just a better spot for me, closer to the psych building and all,” he said, sucking in his bottom lip a bit uncomfortably.

“Oh,” I said softly, a little confused by this information, but also a little grateful that I might not have to see him again. “Well, maybe I’ll see you on campus, or in another class sometime.”

“Yeah…that’d be nice. I mean, I’d like that,” he said, backing up with his bag and pulling his beanie on his head. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

I just nodded in return and let him walk out well before me so I wouldn’t have to see him anymore. Our final exchange was strange, but there really was no way around that. I’d made it that way the moment I kissed him. But the thought that I might get a chance to earn back all that I’d lost, gave me hope, and there just wasn’t room for Gavin in any of that.

Sarah and I were driving back to Coolidge on Sunday evening because of some dance recital she had managed to squeeze into for the weekend. Sarah’s dance had really evolved. She was constantly being requested for senior choreography projects and being put in showcases at the arts college. I loved to watch her. The things her body could do were truly amazing. It was odd to think of her tough and rough personality when watching her bend and twist in ways so beautiful they almost brought tears to my eyes.

Sarah was packing the rest of her things late Sunday afternoon while I texted back and forth with Reed. He was at some fancy hotel in Tucson with a television crew waiting for the Selection Sunday announcement for the Rose Bowl. Our conversations were playful, and our texts were flirtatious, but never anything more since our skinny-dipping make-out session. I still hadn’t asked about Jenny, but Reed also never brought her up.

I was so anxious for our next date, and for being home with Reed. I knew he’d have to leave right after Christmas for the Rose Bowl, and we probably wouldn’t get to spend New Year’s together, but there was something warm and full of possibility about the holiday season. Coolidge always had a holiday festival in the streets of the downtown, where every historic building was wrapped in lights, and families came out to share desserts, cocoa and popcorn. It was one of the best things about being in a small town.

The news cut in for a live shot where Reed was sitting with Trig and a few other players along with their coach. I texted him—teasing him a little, just to make him sweat.

Uh, so I just saw you on TV. You might want to check your hair.

The camera was still on him, and I saw him look in his lap to read my text. He immediately brushed his hand through his hair and bumped Trig’s shoulder to ask him if he looked okay. I laughed out loud.

You are such a girl. I was just kidding : - P

I saw a smirk spread across his face next, and he looked directly into the camera, right at me, before he snuck his phone into his lap again and shot back a quick message. The station went to a commercial break just then.

That was not nice…but funny as hell.

My small prank had my mind spinning a bit, and it gave me an idea. I texted him back right away.

Hey, so…wanna make a wager?

I waited, and he wrote back in seconds.

Hmmmmm, I’m curious. What are the terms?

I grinned and slid down into the sofa so I could hide a little from Sarah, who was busy tidying things up in her kitchen.