Lauren hates herself for even contemplating it, but still, she runs her brush through her hair and stares into the tiny mirror by the door, pushing the dark locks this way and that.

It looks kind of okay, she thinks, squinting at her slightly warped reflection.

But what if those friends of Dan's think she did it because of them? Ugh. Every time she thinks about those two and their teasing smiles, she gets irrationally irritated. If there's one thing Lauren hates, it's being teased. She swipes eyeliner and mascara around her eyes, delaying the decision.

Steffi skips in, carrying her shower bag, smelling of that sickly floral body spray she loves. She pulls her towel from her neck and eyes Lauren. "Your hair looks really good out."

"Thanks," Lauren mutters. She picks up her backpack and dashes for the quad, hauling her hair back into a bunch behind her head and tying it with the elastic she keeps permanently stored on her wrist. Businesslike it is. As she walks, she can't help noticing how it bounces behind her. Jaunty it is, too, apparently.

She scuttles into the lecture hall, head down, taking a spot halfway up on the far side like she usually does. It feels like the most anonymous part of the room. The lecturer is late. Lauren opens a book, figuring she can cram in some Biochem while she waits.

Someone sits down next to her in a bustle of bags and coats She bristles but doesn't look up. Lauren thought she had cultivated what she thought was a very strong force field, where no one dares take a seat near her. Apparently not.

Eventually, curiosity gets the better of her. Might as well know who's going to be heavy breathing or yawning or fidgeting all through this morning's Film Worth Appreciating.

A long-legged girl unwraps a huge blue scarf from around her neck, sending her braids swinging around her face. She crosses her long legs, clutches her large leather handbag to her chest and gives Lauren a relaxed smile. "Hi."

"Hey."

"I just started here. Anything I should know?" she asks.

"Bring snacks. He always picks long movies."

"Noted. Is it an easy class? I was kind of hoping it would be."

"I think it is. But then I'm majoring in Bio, so…"

The girl sits up. "Me too. BBMB."

"What do you know?" Lauren says, holding up her BioChem textbook. "Well, this class is pretty chilled in comparison to labs."

"That's what I hoped. Especially today." She yawns. "The jetlag is real."

"Are you British?"

"Well done. Most people have no clue. They just know I'm not from here. I suspect they don't expect an English person to be black."

"Probably." If she was willing to admit it, Lauren would tell this girl she'd never met a black British person before. But at least Lauren knows they actually exist. "I have to confess I don't really know the difference between England, Britain and the UK. Like, is it all the same thing?"

"Don't worry." The girl flaps a hand. "I feel like it's one of those need-to-know basis things."

The lecturer bustles in, dumping his backpack on the table and going over to the projector. Lauren can't help sneaking a look around the room. They're there, right in the centre of the hall, both looking at something near the front of the room. Raf's crazy hair is bouncing out his hat again and Leyla is wrapped in a thick green jumper. She leans back, stretching her arms, giving Raj that same half-amused smile that she gave Lauren the other night.

As Lauren watches, Leyla's gaze starts to rove around the room, somehow both bored and curious.

Before it can land on her side of the hall, Lauren quickly turns back to the new girl. "So, why'd you want to come here?" It feels kind of novel to be the one asking that.

The girl taps her pen against her chin. "Honestly, I didn't. I wanted to go to LA or New York, but there was this whole mess with getting the right prerequisite classes, blah blah and I ended up here." She leans in, eyes twinkling. "Where am I, anyway?"

"Not New York City, I know that much."

"You're from New York?"

"Yup." It funny how her hometown can be both and badge and a burden, depending on the situation. With this girl and her stylish jacket and perfect eye make-up, it feels like something Lauren wants her to know.

"I'm Helen, by the way."

"Lauren."

"Nice to meet you, Lauren. "I probably shouldn't ask what there is to do around here, should I?"

"Most definitely not."