A couple weeks pass again

Life settled back into its usual rhythm. Classes, the gym, hanging around campus, talking to Sarah. Every now and then, I’d see Riley at the library, usually sitting with her boyfriend. We’d exchange a few words, but I hadn’t tried to push things.

One afternoon, I spotted her walking toward the library by herself.

“Hey, Riley,” I called out.

She turned around and smiled. “Oh, hey, Ethan.”

I caught up with her. “Heading to the library?”

“Yeah. I’ve got a ton of work to do.”

I glanced around. “Where’s your boyfriend?”

She shrugged. “He’s sick today. He’s been feeling pretty awful, so I told him to stay in.”

I nodded. “That sucks.”

“Yeah. Hopefully he’ll feel better soon.”

We walked together for a few seconds before I said, “Well, if you need a study partner today, I could probably make myself useful.”

Riley smiled. “I’d love that.”

I smiled back. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me.”

“Could be worse,” she said with a laugh.

We headed toward the library together.