"What?"
"I said, I wish you were here!"
The music sounded distorted over the phone, even more so through the makeshift speakers. It was even harder to hear over the sound of a couple dozen other students. Steven adjusted himself against the backboard, holding his phone at arm's length.
Connie gestured behind her at a shaky pong table. "They won't let me play anymore," she said. "My aim's too good!"
Several of the guys behind her shouted various statements agreeing with her. Steven laughed and nodded sagely. His neck felt stiff from having to sit here so patiently as Connie talked about all her classes, about the wonderful campus, about how she was really enjoying her first party and how she was scared but how he had taught her to be brave back when they were kids.
A man's hand came out of frame and took Connie by the wrist. She turned to the offscreen friend and laughed.
"Hey, I gotta go, but call me - next weekend, okay?"
"Alright, enjoy yourself. Bye!"
Steven smiled at the camera. Connie's face came in close, and she blew a kiss at the lens. There was a still frame, then the call ended, and faded to the messenger screen.
He shut his phone's screen off and put it next to him on the mattress. Lion looked up from the ground and snorted. Steven turned to the window and tried to pretend.
"I love you," he said, without intonation, to nobody in particular.