In unspoken agreement, we didn't acknowledge The Movie Night again and didn't launch a repeat. One Friday afternoon, we were hanging out in the common area of John's suite, drinking tea, listening to a soothing video game soundtrack and trying to focus on our homework while instead constantly distracting ourselves and each other with funny video clips when suddenly the keypad to the front door was punched. A second later, it swung open.

"Hey!" John jumped up from the couch.

On the loveseat, I uncrossed my legs and put my laptop to the side. He ran his hands along his girlfriend's arms, gave her a peck on the lips, and I averted my eyes, embarrassed. I didn't know how to deal with people kissing, particularly in a tiny space. Was it weirder to look or to look away? She kissed him back and took a quick glance at me. It was so quick I almost wasn't sure if she had done it at all.

"Were we meeting somewhere?" he asked.

She smiled and calmly shook her head. By now I was sitting awkwardly on the edge of the loveseat.

"Grace and I were only doing homework. Do you want to join?" he asked.

'Only doing homework.' Couldn't he have left out the 'only'?

She subtly looked as though she would rather have a root canal treatment, so I saved her the embarrassment and quickly threw my things in my bag, saying: "Actually, I need something from the library, but I'll see you in class next week, John!"

I gave both of them a tight-lipped smile and pushed past them and out into the hallway. The door slowly fell shut behind me. A chuckle behind me made me turn.

"What the heck, Devin? What are you doing out here?" I asked John's suitemate who leaned against the wall beside the door with an unparalleled level of nonchalance.

"I saw her entering before me and wanted to stay out of it if there were any trouble. Did you get John in trouble again?"

"I wouldn't think so," I replied deadpan. "Anyway, why 'get him in trouble again'?"

Devin shrugged dismissively. He had slipped up.

After a few seconds there was still no answer from him, so I defended myself: "We literally sat next to each other and did homework. Why would she take offense to that?"

"You can stop acting naïve. It's just me."

Through my lashes, I glared at him. But he was right. Of course I knew why she might assume the wrong thing. But she wouldn't have been wrong enough.

"Is she actually mad right now?" My eyebrows drew together and I exhaled, watching my foot tap on the floor. But there was a layer of something else underneath. A dense, dark ball in the pit of my stomach. Guilt.

"You could ask her instead of me?"

I raised my eyebrows. Right.

"I doubt she's mad. She's chill."

"Do they get along well?"

"Um, hello? They're dating."

A small burst of air escaped my nose. "You know what I mean."

"Gracie, you're not nearly as suave as you think, but I'll answer this one because I think you need to hear it: they're in love, okay?"

I narrowed my eyes, but the way my chest constricted betrayed me. "Why would I need to hear that?"

"We don't have to talk about it, but don't insult my intelligence. I'm not blind." My mouth stood open at his remark. "If you stick around you can ask her if she's mad." Shooting a glance at the suite door, he curled a finger and gently lifted my jaw shut.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. "You go ahead and do that, I'll go and do my homework somewhere else." I need to get out of here.

He extended his hand to me and I laid mine in his, allowing him to lightly close his fingers around mine.

"You're always welcome to work on it in my room, you know that." A mischievous grin lit up his face.

I was used to his constant flirtation by now, so I gently pulled my hand from his and shot right back: "As tempting as that sounds, Devin, I wouldn't get anything done in your breathtaking presence, so I should scram. See you later."

"It pains me, but I understand your problem. See you soon, Grace."

What I didn't tell him was that I was more than curious as to what was going on behind that door. Were they talking about me? Were they fighting? Perhaps I could probe Devin about it at some point.

—Except I wouldn't. You're getting him off your mind, remember? From now on, no more hanging out with John in private quarters unless other people were around. Even the common area of their suite would have to be taboo without Devin around.

It was an extraordinary level of caution between friends. But if ordinary levels of caution led to The Movie Night, those extraordinary levels were necessary.

Was she the jealous type? If so, why was she with him? I knew for a fact he even had senior girls drooling over him. Social media research had turned up quite a few references to him from last year's Proc Crush Lists, the tradition where graduating seniors honored those fellow students important to them with creatively designed posters they put up in the hallway leading to Proctor dining hall. And why was I thinking about her so much? I got irritated at myself as I walked to the library. There was nothing going on between John and me, I would take care of that, so there was nothing to think about.

I realized I actually did have a book for class to check out at the library, so my excuse hadn't been totally made up. Studies in the Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations was not going on my shopping list when exactly one chapter had been assigned to read, no matter how strongly Prof. Fernández emphasized it was "available for purchase through the bookstore."

Even from a hundred feet away, I spotted Liam's well-worn yellow sneakers on the library plaza. Leaving the building, he turned toward the Chapel, but stopped in his tracks upon my calling his name. His winning smile quickly spread across his face.

"Hey, Grace! Making any progress on your poli sci readings?"

It had been three days since I had texted him that the reading list was eating me alive and that I'd be spending every afternoon this week catching up with them. And he remembered.

"Eh, could be better." I grimaced and shrugged. "But it's good I'm investing the time." At least I was trying to. "You said you were struggling with econometrics?"

The wide-eyed smirk playing on his face told the same story of overwhelmed desperation with which I was all too familiar. My high school guidance counselor wasn't kidding when she said this college was tough in academia. Though she should not have combined that important piece of information with pushing a brochure for Southern Maine Community College across the desk toward me. I ended up scoring 2340 out of 2400 on the SAT and also never forgiving her.

"Change of topic," Liam's voice thankfully ripped me from irritating memories, "what are you doing tonight?"

Oh. Warmth spread though my cheeks. Is he asking me out? "Nothing in particular, why?"

"Come with me to this party in Voter Hall? It's a friend's birthday, but I don't know what kind of party it is and I'd feel more comfortable if I went with someone."

Okay, he's definitely asking me out. Why did it have to be a party, though? It was such an impersonal space. My toes curled and I rocked back and forth on my heels.

"I don't know... I won't know anybody there."

"You'll know me. Plus, neither will I."

His eyes were pleading, hopeful. Up until now, I had only been meeting Liam for the occasional study session or meal at the dining hall. He hadn't asked for more and I hadn't thought of it either. The more I thought about it now, the less it seemed like a terrible idea to see where things might go with Liam, if anywhere. I did have a certain someone to get out of my system, preferably yesterday, and Liam was a great guy. But one issue still remained: I did not have time for a relationship. I couldn't afford losing my focus.

"I don't think so. Sorry."

Disappointment spruced on his face like weeds, uncomfortably tugging at my stomach. Still, I couldn't take it back now, after I had just declined. As stupid as it was, my pride was in the way. "Alright. Text me if you change your mind."

As a compromise, I promised him I would think about it. Then, finally, I pushed through the door of the library to tackle The Two Faces of American Freedom. Maybe John's girlfriend had unknowingly been looking out for me by reminding me that school work mattered more than unavailable men.

Or maybe this was real life and there was trouble down the line.