Ethan’s guilt is shrinking

As I walked back toward the dorm, I thought about Sarah.

She’d probably call me later. I’d tell her about my day, ask how hers went, and we’d talk like we always did.

I didn’t feel the need to mention Jenna.

That had become easier over time.

At first, keeping things from Sarah had bothered me. Now, it barely registered. We were hundreds of miles apart, living completely separate lives for most of the week. That distance had started to feel like a wall between the person I was with Sarah and the person I was becoming here.

I still loved her. That hadn’t changed.

But there were parts of my life she didn’t know about, and I’d gotten comfortable keeping them that way.

So hanging out with Jenna didn’t seem like a big deal.

It was just two college students stuck on an almost-empty campus, looking for something to do over break.

Besides, I’d done worse.

I reached my dorm, dropped my gym bag on the floor, and headed toward the shower.

I had thirty minutes before I was supposed to meet Jenna.

Whatever happened tonight, I figured I’d deal with it when it happened.