The Next Month

The following days were awkward. Laurie felt embarrassed about stripping for Dan and Josh, but more guilty about her fantasies that night. She told Alex about neither. Laurie pushed away the thoughts and images 'I was just drunk' she reassured herself 'I would never actually cheat on anyone. I’m not a slut.' Dan was awkward around her that week, trying to avoid using the kitchen at the same time as her. Eventually, she caught him in the block corridor.

“I'm sorry if I was rude the other night... I want you to know I wasn't bothered by anything we did last night. I just didn't want to go too far like that. You know about me and Alex. We’re really serious.” Laurie gave Dan a warm smile. “You guys are really cool. I hope we can still hang out this term?”

Dan perked up. “Of course! You're a lot of fun Laurie, sorry for misreading your signals.”

For the next month Laurie and Dan got on well as flatmates. She felt more relaxed than she had ever before at university, although she occasionally caught Dan watching her when she ate breakfast in her pyjamas.

Then late one Friday afternoon, Laurie returned to her flat after a long trip across town. Her biochemistry exam was on Monday, and she had travelled to the university library to borrow the last copy of the textbook. But as she unpacked her backpack, her stomach turned in horror. She didn't have the book! She must have left it on the bus!

This was seriously bad news. There was no way Laurie would be able to get a new book in time, and none of her classmates would consider lending out their copy this close to the exam.