My mother, Hyacinth, is thirty-five, and looks and acts a lot more like an older sister. She’s done well for herself, and has a nice job in finance, in New York City. She sends presents, gift cards, and wire me cash almost every month, too, but she’s in no position to help me if I can’t support myself.

My sperm donor has never been in the picture. I never thought of it that way, but Lily’s right. What Noah truly had wasn’t courage; it was a real choice.

I don’t know how I feel about that. Jealous, mostly.

“Hey, is that a Wolverines sweatshirt?” I say, spotting the next item she unfolds.

There were a few fans of the University of Michigan’s team in my old school.

Her nose wrinkles. “Yeah, my ex’s. He was a dick, but a pretty good hockey player.” The last part, she adds somewhat reluctantly. “This is my girlfriend tax. Trust me, I earned it.”

“I wish I could steal Noah’s sweatshirts, but he never wears any. Cardigans and blazers, all the way.” I roll my eyes.

Lily makes a face, though frankly, a cardigan or blazer would look amazing with her outfit.

“So, your ex is from Michigan?” I ask, pointing to the yellow and blue logo.

“Yup. So am I. Ann Arbor, born and raised.”

“Seriously?” I gape. “I lived, like, two hours away.”

It’s wild we both find ourselves on the other side of the country.

"I guess they must have done it on purpose, figuring I could show you the ropes.” Lily beams. “As I said, my friends are pretty nerdy, but it sounds like you’ll fit right in. There’s a concert tomorrow, if you want to come?”

“Sure!” I reply immediately, even knowing tomorrow’s Sunday.

College starts the next day; I didn’t plan on doing much, to try to rest, but I’m certainly not passing on the opportunity to meet new people.

"Hey,” I find myself saying, retrieving the two cards in my wallet. “I got an invitation to a house party tonight. Fancy coming with me?”

I don’t know why I do it. I had actually decided not to go. Keller is too attractive, talking to him is too easy when he’s a stranger, and I know Noah would hate the fact that I accepted an invitation from a guy. If he knew the guy happened to be the one who gave me the overpriced notebook, plus a huge gift card, his head would literally explode. My plan was staying at home.