Alice

You run after Alice, as she walks quickly across the quad. You vaguely remember her saying once that she hates being out, on campus. She isn't used to it yet and it sparks her anxiety.

You catch up with her near the fountain where groups of students are sitting around, hanging out, even eating lunch together and picnicking. You're panting. She wasn't as physically fit as you in the beginning, but man, she can move by now. When you're close enough you try to hide how flustered you are, and say, "hey, what's up?"

She immediately jolts. Her eyes blink rapidly and she darts away from you. It isn't until she looks you up and down that she says. "Ryan. Oh my god, I'm so sorry."

"Wait, why are you sorry?" you ask. "I'm sorry for scaring you. I just had to...you know, hoof it to get over here. You're fast, now."

She pauses. Then approaches. She's finally stopped fast-walking down the campus. "I'm sorry because, uh. You don't scare me. I'm sorry. I don't want to make you feel like a monster. It's just been a crazy week. I need to study. I need to study even harder than I have been because, holy shit."

"Right?" you ask her, smiling. "They're really slamming us, now."

"Right. So don't take it personally," she looks like she might be leaving again. "I'm just. Uh. Busy. You know."

It looks like even getting her to stay might be a challenge.