On the far side of campus there were a group of modern duplex dorms tucked in the trees that were reserved for upperclassmen. Annie had toured them when she first visited the college with her mother. They were almost like real townhouses, and had large common spaces. Annie could tell from the sound of music and raised voices which of the houses she was going, and felt herself getting nervous. The party seemed to have spread to a number of the houses. But there was an especially big group of students out front of one, smoking and talking excitedly. Loud music poured from the doors. She looked down at herself. She'd zipped the cardigan up against the cold, but it was fitted and she could see her n*****s even through the ribbed knit. She'd stopped, thinking there was still time to go back and
