Traci returned to the dorm

Traci returned to the dorm and killed time with some reading and texting with her boyfriend. She finally got around to unpacking the laptop that had been issued to her. She moved the photos she had placed on the desk the night before—one taken with Tommy and the other with her parents—to either side of the laptop.

It was a disappointingly mid-range model. For the amount of tuition that was being paid, Traci had expected something more impressive.

“I guess this will have to do,” she said, looking over at Mr. Boo, the stuffed elephant that Tommy had won for her on their second date. Mr. Boo watched silently from his spot on the bed, kind enough not to make any judgements about the laptop. Traci regretted not bringing her desktop system with her to campus. Maybe when she came back from winter break, she thought to herself. It was doubtful the laptop would hold up to any serious gaming.

Traci checked her phone when it pinged and saw a text from Kelly saying she was having a great time touring the town with the firefighters, and not to wait up.

She texted back a reminder to get back in time to get enough rest before classes in the morning.

After making sure the laptop was working properly and connected to the campus wifi, Traci showered and got ready for bed.

Kelly still hadn’t returned the time Traci was pulling the covers over herself. She shook her head. But Kelly was an adult, and responsible for her own choices. Hopefully she didn’t get back too late, though.

The world was ending.

For months, scientists had been warning about the impending collision between the earth and the moon. It was only in the past few weeks that the government had gotten serious about their evacuation plans. Somehow Traci had found herself with a spot on one of the evacuating shuttles.

She was surprisingly calm as an attendant strapped her in. The countdown was announced, and the rocket engines roared to life. As she began her ascent into the sky, she saw, miles away, Tommy was running to catch up. Despite the vast difference—which was only getting greater, Traci could see her boyfriend clearly.

She watched helplessly through the porthole until the earth was fully receding, and somehow she could still see Tommy clearly, running in vain for the shuttle that he would never catch.

Traci awoke the next morning with a big yawn. She hadn’t slept as well as she’d hoped. Still getting used to the strange new environment. She looked over at the other side of the room and saw that Kelly must have come back at some point—her discarded clothing from the previous night lay crumpled up on the floor next to her bed. But the girl herself was nowhere to be seen. Did she actually wake up before Traci and already head out to class?

Amazing.

Traci yawned again and reluctantly got herself up and out of bed.