“Is college fun?” My brother asked that same question at least half a dozen times every time we spoke.
“Parts of it.” It was one of the few lies I had ever told him. I’d already decided I hated it.
“Mama says we’ll mail you a slice of cake.”
I smiled. “Make it two. I burn a lot of calories.”
My clock read eleven twenty-three when Devon finally said good-bye for real. By the time I gave up on Mathias coming over, it was after midnight, and the day was over. He’d broken his promise. I wanted to call him a hundred times, but I played that game no one ever wins, where I willed him to call me instead. He didn’t. Not for days.
* * * *
Soon enough, September became October, and then that month flew by. While Mathias was settling in like one of the hot guys on the front of the college brochu
