Page 115 of And They Were Roommates

And I don’t want to hide. I can stand up for myself. “I had originally requested a single room, but there was a mix-up. This is why I requested one. For privacy.”

We stare at each other. “Thriller” starts to play. Again.

Then Principal Grimes nods, albeit unnaturally quickly. “We need to get that part of the guideline package fixed, then.”

Is that a good or a bad thing? “Fixed?”

“I’ll bring this promptly to the board of trustees at our next meeting. Goodness, getting paired with Jasper must’ve been a shock! What is this about a mix-up? If it makes you feel better, he’s recently gotten a room back in my instructor’s quarters, if you didn’t know. You should have a space to yourself soon, Charlie.”

With how fast both Jasper and his aunt barrel through conversations, it takes a second for me to process.

Am Idreaming?

“Thank you. Again,” I say, my heart full. “I’ve heard a few other good ideas from other classmates. They might be worth hearing at that meeting too.”

“Oh?”

I glance across the ballroom until I spot Xavier, who slow dances with a totally innocent-looking Delilah despite her previous sparkler crimes. Xavier, however, looks seconds from a breakdown as he holds her, shoulders tensed to his ears. “Like, a coed lacrosse team.”

A grin pulls at Principal Grimes’s lips. “We can leave space for questions this month.”

As she walks away with a polite goodbye, I search the crowds more. Robby is passing a letter to another sister student. Luis stands at a table with Michael in his black suit and orange bow tie, a little too close to just be friendly. London must’ve also received a letter because she’s taken a break from her delivery duties to shyly talk with Griffin Li. Way more couples are paired up now. Talking. Laughing. Finally with each other instead of the gloom and doom we walked into.

The plan really worked.

Then there’s Jasper in his white suit and left-down hair and brilliant eyes. He’s patting Blaze’s back, most likely for fighting so bravely in the arachnid war. Suddenly, Jasper flicks his head my way. The first look I’ve gotten all night.

Across the sea of bodies, dancing and hugging during the most romantic event of the year, he smiles. Even though I pushed him away.

I made a mistake. A huge one.

Chapter 42THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Unspoken Guideline 18: Do not sit on the fountain in winter, or your ass will freeze.

Snow hasn’t fallen in Au Sable Forks yet, but my breath visibly leaves my lips as I wait out here. I still prefer this to being surrounded by the lovey guck in that ballroom, reminding me how Jasper and I aren’t getting the night we deserve.

Any moment, the mixer will end. Jasper will walk out of that ballroom among the crowds. I need to tell him I made a mistake.

But will he listen?

The double doors open, chandelier light seeping into the night. A group walks down the steps, hollering about the fallen plastic cup spider. More follow, wandering toward the residential hall. Ten or so minutes pass, and there’s barely anyone left.

Fabric slaps me across the face.

I choke out a very not-hot noise and grab at it.

“You’re cold” comes from above me.

Lowering the fabric—a white suit coat—Jasper stands in his white vest and dress shirt, hands tucked into his slacks pockets.

“I’m not cold,” I say through a chatter.

Jasper spikes an eyebrow.

I huff and wrap his suit coat around my shoulders. “You didn’t have to.”

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