College was supposed to be the start of a new me. Me and Amber, taking on the world. Her, majoring in fashion design, and I, majoring in Egyptian history. What else would I choose? Amber, being... well, Amber, decided to tell me the first morning of classes. Tell me what, exactly? We walked across the campus, and, luckily, found our class easily.

"Okay, Nina... Don't kill me, but... Fabian... mightbegoingheretoo," She jumbled her words together, as if she didn't even want to tell me.

"Amber!" I groaned.

"I'm sorry Nina! I knew you would never come if I told you before!"

That's not true. I wanted to go here. My past wouldn't stop me from my dreams. "Well he's obviously going to have the same major as me so it's not like I can just avoid him!" I sighed as we walked into the classroom.

"Think about it. This might be good for you! You two haven't spoken since junior year!"

"And with good reason, Amber." I spoke, quieter, as we sat down next to each other, "I didn't exactly leave on good terms."

"But he was heartbroken! You should have seen him."

I feel bad, really, I do. But, I'm not the best at goodbyes, and I'm sure as hell not good at relationships. Leaving Anubis was one of the hardest decisions I had to make, but after I found out Eddie and I couldn't be together, I felt guilty. Fabian and I left each other on good terms. Eddie and Patricia had broken up over the summer. If he hadn't gone back, it would've killed me. They deserve to be together, and I knew that I would be responsible for them never getting back together if I went back instead of him. He fought me at first, but, eventually, he just broke down, and just kept thanking me. He didn't have to say why he was thanking me, because I knew; he loves her.

"Well I see him now!" I panicked: I leaned my elbow on the desk, and buried my head in my hand, shielding my face.

"Nina, please!" she begged, pulling on my arm. "Actually, a good bunch of us are going here too... I was going to surprise you later but maybe you'll be more willing to talk to Patricia, Eddie, and Alfie?" She wouldn't be wrong there, except... "Okay, maybe not Alfie." Yeah.

I laughed, "I'd love to talk to Patricia. I know she isn't the most romantic girl, but I also know that she knows how to deal with things."

From what I've heard, Patricia and Eddie have had a few mishaps, but they'd always work it out in the end. Now, that's not something you'd expect from Patricia, and if she could do it, I could too. I'm glad that they're still together; a reason why I don't regret leaving. The way I always saw him look at her, the way he broke down, I knew they were meant for each other.

"...they even share a room together! It's so adorable, Nina. She's so different with him..." Amber rambled on about the power couple, aimlessly, may I add, while I continued to keep hiding from Fabian. I felt every muscle in my body tense as he walked by, and I hoped he wouldn't notice me. And he didn't. I don't know if it was pure luck, or what, but he either didn't realize it was me, or didn't say something. Either way, I was glad.

When the bell rang, I was ready to just run. Amber had given me Patricia's address. So I grabbed my books, my keys, and ran as fast as I could to my car. I tapped my foot impatiently after knocking on the door, hard, several times, and when the it finally opened, I was face-to-face with Eddie.

"Nina? I thought Amber was having us surprise you!"

"She was, but right now I just really want to talk to Patricia." I explained, trying not to make a big fuss or bring up any details.

"Did someone say my name?" Patricia peeked around the corner, "Come in!"

I gave Eddie a quick hug, and made my way over to Patricia. She hugged me before I had a chance to myself. "I missed you too?" I laughed at her sudden fondness of physical affection.

"Here, sit," she gestured to the set of chairs at the kitchen island, "I'll get you some vodka. I think you'll need it for this conversation..."

I shot her a look, and Eddie butted in, "Patricia!"

"Kidding, kidding! It's early, have some coffee." she said, pouring me a cup, as well as herself. "And you," she pointed at Eddie, "Weasel, get lost!"

"That's more like the Patricia I know." She slid the cup across the table as she sat down across from me, "Thanks," I smiled.

"No problem."

Sip.

Sip.

Silence.

"I know why you're here." she admitted. Good. Now I don't have to awkwardly explain my situation. "Let me fill you in: he had a fling with Mara, but it didn't last long. Not even the summer. He's not over you."

"Look, I know you're just saying that. I'm totally fine that he moved on. Actually, I'm happy." More lies, but I'm not about to cry in front of Patricia.

"You still love him, Nina." she sighed, sending me a sympathetic smile.

"I do?" I said, testing out the words. It's more of a whisper than anything. Then: the realization that it's not a question. It's me, admitting it out loud—to myself, even—for the first time in a while. I rest my head on my hand, and slouch down in defeat, "I still do."

"So go talk to him! You guys were best friends."

"We haven't spoken since the beginning of junior year. It won't be that easy. Doesn't help that I left at the worst time." I knew there would be another mystery, and I intentionally kept my distance. I could've asked Eddie to consider letting me come back instead, but I didn't. I even knew Eddie wouldn't be the most coordinated leader. I wanted them to make up. He couldn't just not go back to her after she distanced herself.

She shakes her head. "That's not your fault."

"I know it isn't. But I can't stop feeling like it is."

"It all worked out in the end," she laughed, "We actually graduated..."

"Surprising!" I smirked.

"I wish you were there."

"I wish I was too..."