The Distance Between Us

Page 6

Maya turned into the main campus road, and Elena found herself sitting straighter without realizing it.

There was something different about seeing a university this way.

She had seen pictures of Westbridge before leaving France, but photographs had a way of making everything look smaller and cleaner than it really was.

In person, the campus felt alive.

Students crossed the road in groups, some talking loudly, others walking with headphones on. A cyclist passed them, nearly cutting in front of a car before raising one hand in apology. Somewhere nearby, music was playing from an open window.

Elena watched everything.

Maya noticed.

"You don't have to stare at everyone."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm observing."

"That's a very polite word for staring."

Elena smiled.

"I've never been here before."

"I know. I'm just messing with you."

Maya pointed toward a large brick building on their right.

"That's the student center."

Elena turned to look.

It was larger than she expected, with wide glass doors and students sitting outside on the steps.

"That's where you'll find basically everything."

"Everything?"

"Food, student clubs, events, people trying to convince you to join things you don't care about..."

"Sounds useful."

"It is. Also dangerous."

"Again?"

Maya laughed.

"You'll understand eventually."

She drove a little farther.

"Over there is the library."

Elena immediately looked.

The building was enormous.

Two students were sitting on the front steps with laptops open between them.

Maya glanced at her.

"Don't get too excited."

"I like libraries."

"I know."

"How?"

"You told me."

"When?"

"At the airport."

"I don't remember saying that."

"You did."

Elena thought for a moment.

"I don't think I did."

Maya smiled.

"Then I guessed."

"You guessed?"

"You look like someone who likes libraries."

Elena sighed.

"You're doing that again."

"Doing what?"

"Deciding things about me."

Maya shrugged.

"I'm observant."

Elena laughed.

"You can't steal my word."

"Too late."

They passed the library and turned toward the residential area.

The atmosphere changed.

There were more students now.

Some were carrying boxes. Others were sitting outside the residence halls. A group of guys were throwing a football back and forth near a grassy field.

Elena watched them.

Maya followed her gaze.

"That's probably going to be you soon."

"Throwing a football?"

"No. Sitting outside pretending you're studying while actually doing absolutely nothing."

"I would study."

Maya laughed.

"We'll see."

They stopped at a red light.

Maya tapped her fingers against the steering wheel.

"So, serious question."

Elena looked at her.

"Okay."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

Elena blinked.

"No."

Maya nodded.

"Okay."

"Why?"

"No reason."

"You're lying."

"I just met you. I'm allowed to be curious."

Elena smiled.

"Do you have one?"

Maya made a face.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because apparently I'm attracted to people who don't notice I'm alive."

Elena laughed.

"That's unfortunate."

"Very."

Maya sighed dramatically.

"But don't worry. I have a plan."

"What plan?"

"None yet."

Elena laughed again.

The light changed.

Maya drove forward.

"And you?"

"What about me?"

"What kind of guy do you like?"

Elena looked out the window.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I've never really thought about it."

Maya stared at her for a second.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Okay."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Maya grinned.

"I think you're going to be interesting."

Elena shook her head.

"I think you talk too much."

"That's also true."

The car turned toward the residence halls.

Maya pointed ahead.

"That's ours."

Elena followed her gaze.

A four-story brick building stood beneath a row of tall trees, with students moving in and out through the entrance.

Maya pulled into the nearby parking lot.

"We're home."

Elena looked at the building.

Then at her suitcase in the trunk.

Then back at the residence hall.

Maya parked between two cars and switched off the engine.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Elena looked through the windshield at the residence hall.

Students were coming and going through the glass doors. Someone stood outside struggling with a cardboard box that was clearly too large for them. Two girls sat on the steps with iced coffees, talking and laughing. A guy hurried past with a laundry basket tucked under one arm.

It looked ordinary.

That was what made it strange.

Elena had spent months imagining her first day at an American university.

She had imagined something grander.

Instead, there were people carrying laundry.

Maya unbuckled her seat belt.

"Okay."

Elena looked at her.

"Okay what?"

"We're here."

"I can see that."

"Good. Just checking."

Maya opened her door.

Elena followed.

The moment she stepped outside, she felt the warmth again.

She looked up at the building.

Maya opened the trunk.

"Grab your backpack. I'll get the big one."

"I can carry it."

"I know."

"You keep saying that."

"Because you keep trying to carry everything yourself."

Elena smiled.

"Maybe I don't like asking for help."

Maya stopped.

"Well, you're going to have to get used to me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm already helping."

Before Elena could answer, Maya lifted the suitcase from the trunk.

She nearly dropped it.

"Oh my God."

Elena burst out laughing.

"You said you could carry it."

"I said I'd get it."

"There's a difference?"

"Apparently."

Elena reached for the handle.

Maya refused to let go.

"No. I've got it."

"You clearly don't."

"I do."

"You almost dropped it."

"That was strategic."

"Of course."

Maya dragged the suitcase toward the entrance while Elena followed, trying not to laugh again.

Inside, the residence hall was cooler.

A large lounge sat near the entrance, with couches, vending machines, and a television mounted on the wall. A few students were scattered around, some studying, some talking.

Elena looked around.

"This is nice."

Maya nodded.

"Wait until you see the room."

They walked toward the elevators.

Maya pressed the button.

"Fourth floor."

Elena looked up.

"We're on the fourth floor?"

"Yep."

"No elevator?"

Maya stared at the elevator doors.

"We have an elevator."

"I meant if it breaks."

"Then we become athletes."

The doors opened.

They stepped inside.

Maya pressed four.

As the doors closed, she looked at Elena.

"So."

"So?"

"Roommate rules."

Elena smiled.

"Already?"

"Absolutely."

"What rules?"

Maya counted on her fingers.

"One: if you borrow something, ask."

"Fair."

"Two: if you eat my food, replace it."

"Fair."

"Three: if I'm asleep, don't wake me unless the building is on fire."

Elena nodded.

"Reasonable."

"Four..."

Maya paused.

"Don't let me text my ex after midnight."

Elena turned toward her.

"You have an ex?"

"Unfortunately."

"What happened?"

"The usual."

"Which is?"

Maya sighed.

"He was stupid."

Elena waited.

Maya looked at her.

"What?"

"That's all?"

"That's enough."

The elevator doors opened.

Elena laughed as they stepped out.

Their room was near the end of the hallway.

Maya unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"Home."

Elena stepped inside.

The room was small, but brighter than she expected.

Two beds stood on opposite sides.

Two desks.

Two wardrobes.

A window overlooking part of the campus.

Maya's side was already decorated.

Photos were pinned above her desk. A small lamp sat beside her textbooks. There were fairy lights around the headboard and a pile of clothes occupying a chair.

Elena looked at her own side.

Almost completely empty.

Maya noticed her expression.

"Don't worry."

"About what?"

"We'll fix it."

Elena smiled.

"I can decorate my own side."

"I know."

"You say that a lot."

"Because you need to stop assuming I think you're helpless."

Elena put her backpack on the desk.

"I don't."

"You do a little."

"I don't."

Maya grinned.

"Okay."

Elena looked around the room again.

Then she walked toward the window.

She pulled the curtain aside.

The campus stretched beneath them.

Students moved along the sidewalks.

The trees swayed gently in the warm afternoon air.

For a moment, Elena simply stood there.

Maya leaned against the doorway.

"Pretty, right?"

Elena nodded.

"Very."

"Give it a week."

Elena turned.

"What happens in a week?"

Maya smiled.

"You'll stop looking at it like a tourist."

And Elena couldn't help wondering whether that was exactly what she wanted.