Erika

I clutch my guitar case in one hand, pulling my rolling suitcase behind as I make my way around Walden University's giant campus. Dad had been surprised (and, I remember guiltily, a little sad) when I'd decided to go to college in Maine, all the way across the country from Napa.

But despite that, Christmas break had been great. My dad picked me up from the airport, squeezing me in a tight hug that I swore would permanently damage my lungs. Dad proudly showed me the matching Christmas sweaters he'd knit for Wolfie and Midas, ugly red vests with a vague tree-shaped blob in the middle. Midas is always cold, so I think he was glad for the extra warmth, but poor Wolfie, that cat tried to hide the sweater from my dad so many times, but he kept shrugging him into it.

Dad hardly let me lift a finger in the month I was home, shaking his head when I'd offered to help with the dishes after Christmas dinner, and then rolling his eyes when I helped anyway.

I missed my dad. I sometimes feel like a little kid for saying that, but I'm unashamed to admit that I'm a total daddy's girl.

There were some parts of coming home that weren't bad, just complicated. It was really good to see Dominick over break, and I was relieved to hear that he hadn't found a smart, pretty, rich, girlfriend since I'd last seen him, but leaving him sucked just as much as it did back in August. But I force myself not to think about it.

This turns out to be easy. Napa cold is completely different from Maine cold, and all through November and December (and right now), I wanted to die. Honestly, I might, if I don't get inside really quick.

I spot my roommate, Liana, from across the quad, and break into a run, trying not to slip on ice.

"Lia!"

"Erika!"

We hug tightly, jumping up and down, partially from excitement, and partially to keep warm.

I pull away, still keeping my hands on Liana's shoulders. "You met the parents, right? How was that?"

Lia beams. During winter break she and her girlfriend, Alexa, had spent two weeks with Liana's parents, and two with Alexa's, so they could meet each other's families.

"Oh my God, it was so great. Like- I can't even describe how great."

"Yeah?"

"Well, I'm the first girl Alexa's ever brought home, and even though her parents have been really cool about the whole bi thing, I think they all still expected for her to end up with a guy. But they seemed to like me, at least they pretended to. And my dads were obviously super supportive, they even let us stay in the same room!"

"That's amazing! I'm really happy for you."

Liana squeezes my hand just a little tighter, giving me puppy dog eyes.

"Hey."

I raise an eyebrow (or try to, I'm pretty sure both go up anyway). "Hey back?"

"So I have a favor to ask you."

"Yes. . .?"

"So, uh, Lexi and I were hoping that we could move in together this semester. We talked to Housing about it, and basically the only way that could happen is if you move in with Alexa's roommate."

I glance over at Liana, furrowing my eyebrows. "Isn't that a little fast? I mean, you guys have only been dating a couple months."

"Kind of, but it's past the 90 day mark."
"What does 90 days have to do with anything?"

"Alexa says that people can only hide their true selves for up to 90 days, which is why so many relationships end around 3 months."
"Huh. The things you learn as a Psych major."

"Yeah," Lia chuckles with a besotted smile, "anyway, will you do it?"

I shake my head, smiling. It can't be that bad, Liana wouldn't stick me with someone horrible just so she could spend even more time with Alexa. And I know she'd do the same for me if our roles were reversed.

"You and I'll still hang out, right?"

"Duh. You can't get rid of me that easily."

"Fine, then. I'll switch roommates with Alexa."

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" Liana squeals, hugging me tightly from the side, then she picks up my guitar case so that one of my hands is free to lock elbows with her as we walk to our building.

"So, what's her roommate like?"

Liana pauses for a moment, looking up at the gray sky as if the answer to my question is written there.

"Her name is Allie. Or, wait. Annie. Her name is Annie."

My eyes widen. Jesus Christ, Lia.

"You've never met this girl, have you?"

"You've never met Alexa!"

"What if she's like. . . a serial killer or something?"

Liana rolls her eyes. "Oh my God, Erika. The girl's a Geology major, I'm pretty sure she's harmless."

"That's even worse! She probably has a rock collection or something that she'll use to murder me with!"

"We're still assuming that Annie's a serial killer, then? She hasn't killed Alexa yet, and that girl is messy enough to make anyone consider homicide. I think you're safe."

"Will I be able to meet her? Before I move in with a possible axe murderer?"

"Lexi said she's not getting back until later today, but maybe we could all go out for dinner or something tonight? Alexa wants to meet you too. And maybe Addie thinks you're the serial killer."

"I thought you said her name was Annie?"

"Right. Shit. Annie," Liana repeats, "Annie, Annie, Annie."

"If she gives off axe murderer vibes, we call the whole thing off. Deal?" I say, letting go of my suitcase handle and offering Liana a handshake.

"Deal," Liana replies, taking my hand and shaking it, then turns to me with her 'I'm in a Stable Relationship so I want to live vicariously through you" eyes.

"How was your break, though? Did you see your ex?"

"Yeah," I sigh, hoping she'll read from my tone that I do not want to talk about Dominick.

"What was his name again? Donovan?"

"Dominick."

"Riiiight, Dominick. And how was that? Did you guys. . ." Liana does a little dance with her shoulders, giving me a risque wink.

I blush, looking down. "Shut up."

"You did!"

"Shut up!"

"God, I don't get what the point of breaking up with him was if every time you go back there, you just pick up right where you left off!"

"We didn't want any expectations. When I'm there, we're together, when I'm not, we're not. No promises."

"Except you haven't even looked at another guy since you've come here. And I understand why, that Dominick guy is prettier than any other guy at this school. But what I don't understand is why you don't just make him your boyfriend again!"

"I don't want him to feel like he has to wait for me. If he meets someone he really likes at Stanford, I want him to go for it," I explain for what feels like the millionth time.

Liana rolls her eyes. "That is so 'tis the damn season' of you."

"It is not." It is, in fact, the song I listened to on repeat on the entire plane ride here.

"You can call it even, you can call me 'babe' for the weekend!" Liana half sings, half screams.

I try frantically to shush her, laughing despite myself.

"Tis the damn season, write this down!"

"Liana, we're in public!"

"I'm staying at my parents' house, and the road not taken looks real good now!" She overdramatically grabs my face, making me laugh even harder. "And it always leads to you, and my hometown! Come on Erika, sing the bridge, it'll make you feel better."

I take a deep breath and join her, the two of us scream-belting in a way that would likely disappoint both of our Vocal Performance teachers.

"Sleeping half the day, just for old times' sake! I won't ask you to wait, if you don't ask me to staaaaaay! So I'll go back to LA-"

"Shut up!" someone yells from across the quad.

The two of us burst into embarrassed laughter as we lock arms again and continue towards our building.

"And the best part is? We were completely sober."

Liana smiles before shooting me a mildly concerned look. "But you're okay though, right? Like all jokes and Taylor Swift references aside, you're good?"

"I'm good. Really. I feel better now, thanks."

"Good. Because even if Donovan-"

"Dominick."

"Even if Dominick does find someone at Stanford -which I doubt he will, because you're his Dorothea- she won't be able to do braid crowns nearly as well as you do."

"I do do a mean braid crown."

"See? Who needs a boyfriend when you have that?"

As we finally reach our room, my phone pings with a text message. My heart skips a beat, thinking maybe it's Dominick. I take my phone out, holding my breath.

"Oh my God, is it him?"

I breathe out a sigh, a mix of relief and disappointment. "It's my dad."

Did you get to school okay?

The hospital in town counts, right? Love you, Dad!

Har har. Love you too, kiddo.

I smile at the screen before sliding my phone back into my pocket, giving Liana's arm a brief squeeze as we walk into our room.