“Coming from Nola, you wouldn’t think,” Chloe says. “But I’ve had to learn to tough out the conditions up here. And what better way than to go hurtling down a mountain at a billion miles an hour?”

I laugh. “A billion?”

She nods sharply. “Sure feels like it.”

“So?” Sofía nudges. “What do ya say? Thanksgiving at our place? We’ll do a mass Uber Eats takeout from all the best places in town and binge-watch movies all night in our pajamas. Maybe dabble in a little weed. You in?”

Though I’m definitely worried about being surrounded by what will probably be mounds of starchy, bready, deep-fried fast foods, I’d be lying if I said being with my new friends didn’t sound like the best kind of Thanksgiving.

Plus, get me high AF. Maybe I’ll finally forget about Jack.

I’m on my way to Dr. Sweatervest’s office for my second session when I see Jack walking out of the campus center.

He stops.

Maybe he’s about to wave. Or do that pathetic head nod boys do. Or even speak something resembling words. I don’t need a poem, just a hello, a five-letter word that may not mean anything to him but would mean everything to me.

But I recognize the faraway look in his eyes; it’s one I’ve caught when he didn’t think I was watching, and he would travel someplace in his mind closed off to me. Yet, at the same time, the way his body is turned toward me, the stillness of his movements tell me that he’s just as rooted as I am.

I can’t break this connection. I want to go to him and grab him and hold him and tell him that I love him but also hate him.

A loud group of people bursts out from the campus center double doors and breaks my concentration. I look away for one second.

But that’s enough time for Jack to dart out of sight.

My second session with Dr. Sweatervest wastes no time diving into the muck.

“How did you feel about our last session?”

I ignore his question. “I just saw Jack.”

Sweatervest waits for me to continue.

“He didn’t even acknowledge me.”

“Is that important to you? To be acknowledged by him?”

“Yeah, I mean …” I grind my teeth and go silent. “Never mind.”

“You don’t have to censor yourself in this office.” He smiles, and it’s reassuring.

I take a deep breath. “Of course Jack has to acknowledge me! Just a few weeks ago, he told me he loved me. He was inside of me, for crying out loud!”

Okay, calm down, Chase.

“Sorry for the overshare, but it’s just … I don’t understand how he can treat love like a switch that can be flipped so quick. Is that normal?”