“How can he not consider you guys as serious if he’s introducing you to his family?” Amy asks.

“Because we haven’t even gone on an official date.”

Amy waves a dismissive hand. “What makes a date ‘official’ anyway? Like it has to be over dinner at a restaurant or a movie? Honestly, I think that’s old-fashioned. Did you guys have sex?”

I nod. It was unlike any sex I had ever had before. Since Simone was just across the hall in her room, I was worried that we’d make too much noise. Darren had covered my mouth and nose with his hand. I remember the panic of not being able to breathe. Somehow, it had led me to the most intense orgasm I had ever experienced.

“Did JD mention how long the trip’s going to be?” I inquire.

“A week, maybe week and a half.”

I balk. “That’s a long trip.”

“If you’re going to fly all the way to Asian, you don’t want to have to turn around a few days later.”

“You’re not worried about missing that much school?”

Amy stares at me like she can’t believe I would even ask such a thing. “How often does one get invited to Thailand? Thailand!”

We both start at the sound of a chirping beep.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Oh, it’s a monoxide detector,” Amy says with a roll of her eyes. “My mom freaked out when she read in the newspaper that a family of four passed away in their sleep at a local motel because of a faulty heater or something, so she sent me one. It must be low on batteries. I should just plug it into the wall.”

While she tries to find a free outlet, my cellphone buzzes with a text. It’s from Darren, though I don’t remember ever giving him my number.

For your passport, send me your headshot.

You can be smiling but no teeth can show.

Did I actually say I was going to go? As I replay my exchange with him, I don’t recall saying definitively that I would go. I didn’t say I wouldn’t, but Darren has these instances where it seems he just expects me to do what he says. And I have because, so far, they’ve been minor things, like getting into his car after he’s offered to drive me to the grocery store. But I’d better assert myself more before he thinks he’ll always get his way.

I text back:

We should talk more about this.

Seconds later, I get a text:

Come over to the club tonight.

I debate spending another night with Darren when I still have my outline for my health policy paper to finish. I text Darren:

I’ll let you know later if I can make it.

Have a paper to work on.

He responds:

Don’t play hard to get.

A little miffed, I type back:

I’m not! I really do have classwork.

FYI, I’m a college student.

He texts:

Then go get it done instead of texting me.