Hanging out in the dorm

A week passes, and life slowly settles into its normal rhythm. Classes pick up, the library becomes familiar again, and the party feels more distant with each day. The guilt isn’t as sharp as it was that first morning, but it never completely disappears. Every now and then, something reminds me of that night, and I feel that same uncomfortable weight in my chest. I’ve learned how to push it aside, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to erase it completely.

Jeff hasn’t been around much during the week. Most evenings, he’s been spending time with his girlfriend around campus. That afternoon, he walks into the dorm, drops his keys on the desk, and looks over at us. “Hey, guys, just so you know, Sarah’s coming over tonight. We’re gonna make dinner here if that’s cool.”

Chase looks up and smirks. “Look who finally decided to come home.”

Jeff laughs. “Shut up. I live here too.”

Doug turns from his laptop. “What are you making?”

“Probably pasta or something easy,” Jeff says. “I just figured I’d let you guys know.”

I nod and go back to what I’m doing, but hearing him casually talk about his girlfriend makes me think about mine. For a moment, the memory of that night comes back. I push it away and try to focus on anything else.