I bite my bottom lip gruffly, and stand wobbly, my body threating to crumple to the ground in utter distress. And that's what I want to do. Just topple over in sobs, letting my tears console me. But I can't. I know I can't. So, I return to Valhalla Hall, my eyes on my slow-moving pumps, and I meagerly trudge to the sound, looming building.

A few girls chirp in the common room about their hot new Viking boyfriends, and their latest purchases at some chic boutique in town, but I don't want to hear their happy, naïve chatter, so I head straight for the open, awaiting elevator. But it's not open. Two scrawny looking vanilla boys whisper in hushed, reserved voices, and I have no choice to climb in with them.

I flash them a wan smile, and pull out my silent phone, praying for something from Travis, to reassure me that it's still me, I'm still his, and he's still mine. But that would be selfish. That wouldn't be right. That would be…impossible. There is nothing. I want to sob right there, in that dingy little elevator, with those gawking, scrawny, pasty guys gaping at me, but I don't. It's as if I have no more tears to waste.

The elevator door slides open, and I burst out, practically sprinting for my room. Finally, I insert my key in the lock, and step inside.

My room is eerily bright, and I gasp at the sight of trash bags and another set of luggage resting on the floor. Did somebody dump this in here? Why'd they put trash and luggage in my room? As I reach down to scoop the bag up, a petite, auburn haired girl enters the room.

"Um…" She frowns, her hand immediately flying to her hip. "What are you doing?"

"I could ask you the same question?" I reply tartly, and stand. "Is this your stuff?"

"Yes." The girl responds shortly, as if that is all the answer I need.

"And who are you, exactly?"

"Kayla." She eyes me curiously, her lips parted slightly in a knowing smirk. "Your roommate."

"Roommate?" I repeat, baffled. "I didn't ask for a roommate."

"And I didn't ask for a snooping little –" Kayla begins to snap, but I hold up my hand to stop her.

"If you're my new roomie, why wasn't I told ahead of time?"

"Cause Mythos is crappy, that's why. I transferred to another school like this, and then came back. This was…is my dorm. You're the new roomie."

"Okayy." I frown, and sit down on my bed. My eyes widen as they take in the other side of the room, another twin bed situated where my dresser sits. Sat. Where is my dresser? I glance around frantically, and find it situated casually underneath my posters. That were moved. Ok then. "Look, I'd appreciate if you didn't move my stuff."

"You mean crap?" Kayla scowls, and licks her chapped, plum lips. "I'd appreciate it if you left me half of the room like you're supposed to."

"Well I'm sorry," I snap, glaring at her pudgy, bloated face. "Like I said, I didn't know I was supposed to share."

"Whatever." She mutters, and throws a wrinkled pink quilt over her twin bed. I rest my head on my pillow, and pull out my phone once again. Inbox, empty. Empty, empty, empty. It's strangely fitting, because that's exactly how I'm feeling. Empty. I text Gwen, the only person who'll, hopefully, understand my dilemma. Or am I just kidding myself? I mean, boys will be boys. But I don't want a boy. I want a man.

Bf problem. Need help, ASAP. I text quickly, and shut my eyes, awaiting the beep signaling she's replied. One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three Mississippi.

Is her phone even on? I let out a frustrated, breathy sigh, and turn to face the wall.

"What is wrong?" Kayla asks, exasperated. "You're sighing like your boyfriend broke up with you or something."

"He didn't." I laugh heartlessly. "Not yet, at least."

Kayla smirks, and slips out of her plaid tailored blazer. "Boys, guys, men, are never worth it."

"I thought he was." I whisper, so softly I can barely hear myself. "It's just hard to do that long distance relationship crap."

She nods understandingly, and sits at the foot of my bed.

"If you're looking for a man, start here. We have a lovely inventory of tanned, six packs, if that's what you're looking for." Kayla smiles slightly.

I flash her a wan smile, and check to see if Gwen's texted me back yet. Inbox (1).

Mimi! I miss u so much, bae! why havent u called mee?

Genève!

Omg trav was just talking to me about u guys. I miss u 2 G. hows u and ur bt? I reply.

Oh, henry & I have been done for like, forevs. Well, 2 days ago ;) found a new bt. Drake JShe responds.

The tall one from English? Cutiee! I text back. I'm unusually happy for her, but I'm unsure why. Gen's had tons of boy toys, usually lasting no more than two weeks or so, but she loved each and every one to the best of her glittery ability. How r u guys so far?

Great, actually. We're going 2 the autumn dance 2gether.

I suck in a deep, yet uncertain breath, and release the air back through my nostrils. I could never escape the sucking void the dance created. Happy. I'm supposed to be super happy for my best friend, who's super happy with her latest guy, who believes I'm happy with mine. But am I?

Mimi? U still there? Genève asks.

Yea. I reply slowly. U know about Lala & trav going to the dance together?

Umm… She replies, definitely uncomfortable where this is going. Yea. She was desperate, since her break up w/ J.T.

Joseph Turner, jock and heart breaker regular at Blanc. We'd all warned Lala not to get involved with him, but Lala was a sucker for love…of any kind. Would she turn into Travis's puppy dog, just as she had become J.T's?

Ok. I'll call u l8r, I gotta head 2 dinner J luv u bae!

Luv u 2 baebae! Genève texts hurriedly. I shut off my phone, and propel myself out of the bed. I glance at my watch, and scowl at the time. 7:23 already. I'd missed half of dinner. With barely 15 minutes left to eat, I scramble out of the dorm house, and sprint towards the lit café.

A few students linger among the practically empty tables littered with trays and used utensils, my eyes quickly scanning the throngs for my friends. Logan sits at a far table, a tan auburn haired girl standing beside him, definitely upset…about what, I'm unsure. I grab a meager bowl of supposedly Caesar salad, and slide in across from him, eyeing the yelling girl accusingly.

"Hey, Logan," I say, my words asking the question I cannot. Everything ok here? He gives me the briefest of nods, and turns to the girl, who's practically spitting, she's so angry.

"Logan, whenever you want to turn away from your harem or whatever you're running here, and be a man and talk to me, do." She barks, spins on her Louis Vuitton heel, and slinks away. Well, more like struts.

"That's Savannah…" Logan sighs, resting his head in his hands. "My ex."

"Oh." I reply mutely, realization hitting me like a bomb. "Well, good luck with that…"

"I'll need it." He grunts, definitely frustrated. I take a bite of my salad, and wrinkle my nose at the heavily powdered cheese slathered over the lettuce.

"Do they like wash this lettuce in cheese or something?" I sputter, and lift my dainty napkin to my lips.

Logan chuckles, and takes a swig of his monstrous Deer Park bottle.

"Oh," I remember eagerly. "How's Coach Lir, for swimming? I'm signing up for the team."

"I dunno," He grunts, shrugging. "Ask Kenzie."