"Things have been good so far," I tell my sister. "We've gotten a better feel of the campus, and I've settled in pretty well."

"You've made yourself at home?" she asks.

"I'm getting there. It's all pretty new, but Owen is nice."

"Is there enough room for your keyboard?"

"Yep. It's in my room. It's a little tight, but I've made it work."

"I'm glad to hear. Have you been eating?"

"Yeah, but mostly pizza," I respond. "Anything else? I feel like I'm being questioned."

"I'm just making sure you're okay!" Quinn defends. "Mum and dad aren't here to look after you, so I've got to do it."

"I promise, everything is okay. Have you visited them?"

"Not this week, but I'll go tomorrow."

"Tell them I love them?"

"Of course. They know you love them, even if you don't visit."

"I hope so," I laugh.

"They do."

"How are you?" I change the subject. "I miss seeing your face every day."

"Well, aren't you a cutie?" she laughs. "I've been alright. Still waiting to hear about the promotion."

"No. Really? That sucks."

"Yeah, I'm starting to doubt if it's actually going to happen."

"It has to, right? Your boss told you the job was yours."

"Yeah, but it wasn't set in stone."

"I'm sure you'll find out soon. Your boss loves you."

"I hope so. I busted my ass to get it."

Quinn is unbelievably hardworking. She joined the police force right after high school, and hasn't stopped working since. Eventually, she wants to be chief of police, but she still has a long way to go.

"Shit," she says. "I've got to go. There's been a robbery in my precinct."

"Alright. Be safe."

"Thanks, sis. Love you!"

"Love you too," I say, but she's already hung up. I drop my phone onto my lap, returning my attention to Lena. She's sitting across from me on the couch, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

We've decided to spend the day inside. We were both exhausted after the party yesterday, and tomorrow is my first day of college. Lena doesn't start until Tuesday, but she agreed that a day of snacks and Netflix would be ideal. Our nails are in the process of drying, and we're both wearing a charcoal face mask. My face is beginning to tingle, so it should be almost time to take it off.

Thankfully, nothing seriously bad happened last night. I stayed away from the fire, and didn't have any more uncomfortable run-ins with frat guys. Lena ended up drinking a little too much, but I made sure we left before it got too bad. She's far more open to experimenting than I am. In fact, I'm surprised she didn't try weed when she had the chance.

"I have to tell you something," I say, leaning towards Lena.

"Sure, girl. What's up?"

"Last night," I hesitate. "While you guys were at the fire pit, I was talking to Christian, and he uhm..."

"Oh my god," Lena grins in anticipation.

"He asked me out."

"Sarah!" She calls. "I can't believe you didn't tell me sooner!"

"I was waiting for the right time to tell you."

"That's so exciting! I'm so happy for you! Classes haven't even started yet, and you've already got a date lined up."

"Do you mind? I know you thought he was hot, too."

"No! Go for it, girl! You two would be cute together."

"Are you sure? I don't want to step on your toes."

"Don't worry about me. It's way too soon for me to be getting into a relationship, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

She shrugs. "Last night confirmed my feelings about college. I need to get out and explore more. You know, experience life a little."

"Good," I smile. "I think it'll be good for you."

"We've only been here a few days, and we've both gotten out of our comfort zones."

"It's scary, isn't it?"

"I'm proud of you, you know? When I saw the fire outside, I thought you'd run and hide, but you didn't."

"I guess I'm ready to explore more, too."

"I can tell. You're actually going on a date! Who would've thought?"

"Not me," I laugh. "All these changes must've really thrown me off."

"You'll come out of your shell soon enough. You're a boss queen, and I know Owen can see it. Christian apparently can too. The question is, can you?"

"I feel like a boss queen," I say. I know everyone thinks I'm just shy and innocent, but I'm not. I just feel more comfortable by myself. It's who I am.

"Speaking of boss queens... Beyoncé just dropped a new album."

I gasp. "What?"

"I found out this morning! It's a visual album."

"Turn it on!"

She presses a few buttons on the TV screen, taking us to the album. Beyoncé flashes on the screen.

"Oh my god. I have to learn all these songs," I gush.

"Yes, do it! Have you finished Lemonade yet?"

"I'm working on Freedom right now."

"You should post your versions online. People will love it."

I scoff. "That's so not me."

"Well, you said so yourself. You need to explore more."

"I don't know," I say. "But we'll see."

I've been making piano covers of pop songs for years now. It's a small hobby of mine - one I don't like to share with others. Lena is the only person I show them to.

"I'm sure Christian would like them," Lena winks.

"Oh, shush!" I laugh.

"Be careful with him, though. He may be sweet, but he's still a frat boy."

"She's right," Owen interrupts, entering the living space. "We can't have you getting your pretty little heartbroken, now can we?"

"Maybe I'll break his heart," I joke, laughing at him. But the humour in the room fades when I notice he's not alone. There's another guy with him.

They walk over to the door together. Owen opens it for him. They share a few whispers, and then let their lips meet. They're kissing!

Lena is just as shocked as I am, but she doesn't express it until the guy is gone, and the front door is shut.

"What the hell?" she exclaims, staring up at him.

"What?" Owen smirks. "You said I couldn't have girls over. You never said anything about guys."

I clamp my mouth shut, stifling a laugh. Lena gapes at him, but she's smiling, too.

"You never told me you were gay," she says.

"That's because I'm not," he frowns. "It depends on my mood."

"So you're bi?"

"Sexuality is a spectrum, Lena. I'm not one thing or the other. I'm just... open to anything."

"Well, good to know. But can you please not sleep with anyone when I'm in the next room? It's gross."

"Well, you didn't hear anything, did you?"

"No, but I could've."

"It's okay, Lena," Owen laughs. "I'll keep my promise from now on."

"You better!"

He shakes his head at her, entertained by her frustration. He begins walking back to the kitchen, but pauses behind the couch. He eyes our faces, but then keeps them locked on me.

"You look cute, Sarah," he winks.

I can feel a blush rise to my cheeks, even though he's probably only joking. How can I look cute when I'm wearing a face mask? Try to find something smart to say back, but I come up blank.

"Oh, so you're gonna break our promise and then also flirt with my best friend?" Lena scolds him.

"Can you blame me? I'm a sucker for a girl in a face mask," he jokes, walking away from us.

"Ugh, get out of here, you ass!" Lena grumbles, waving him off.

"You're a tease," I laugh.

"You love it!" he calls.

I turn back to Lena, but neither of us speaks until we hear Owens door close.

"I can't believe I'm related to that shit," Lena laughs. But I can. She can be just as much of a tease as he can.