You run into someone

I’m halfway to my next class when I hear someone call my name.

“Ethan!”

I turn around and see Maya walking toward me with a smile. “Hey. I was hoping I’d run into you.”

“Hey, Maya.”

She falls into step beside me, chatting about our class and joking about how seriously everyone already seems to be taking the semester. Then she notices me glancing toward the classroom ahead.

“You have class right now?”

“Yeah. Starts in like five minutes.”

Maya gives me a small, knowing smile. “Skip it.”

I laugh. “Just skip class?”

“Come back to my dorm with me instead,” she says, lowering her voice slightly. “My roommate’s gone for the afternoon. We can have the place to ourselves for a couple hours.”

I look at her, immediately understanding what she’s suggesting.

“Maya…”

“What?” She smiles innocently. “I’m just saying, we had fun last time. Your notes will still be there tomorrow.”

I glance toward my classroom, then back at her. A week ago, the decision would have filled me with guilt. Now, guilt has no factor in it