“Ten at the earliest, but expect to help set up. No one really shows up before that to any college party.”

That’s my first cue that this party isn’t going to be like any of those I’ve attended with Noah and his friends. As jocks, his crew and the football players had a lot more parties than the rest of our old high school, and they did get pretty crazy, but they tended to end around one. I don’t think I’ve shown up after eight or stayed until past midnight before. I bite my lip nervously. If it weren’t for Lily, I wouldn’t go at all, but she is eager at the prospect, and I don’t want to disappoint her.

I won’t deny a part of me is curious about a number of things: witnessing how rich college people party, seeing how I’d feel in Lily’s tiny skirt. Plenty of girls my age wear skirts just like this, or even shorter, but not me. Never me. It looks pretty. I feel attractive here, in front of the full-length mirror hung over the wardrobe’s door. But what would it be like out there, with people looking at my bare legs? My stomach flutters each time I think about it, sometimes with dread, other times with excitement. I half expect someone to point to the skirt and declare that I’ve violated some sort of cardinal law by wearing it, and that I’d better change into a knee-length full skirt right this second. Probably my grandma. But she isn’t here.

“I’m not going to stay long,” I warn her.

Lily shrugs. “Me neither, probably. None of my friends will be there except you. We can leave when you wanna leave.”

I nod gratefully, some of my anxiety dissipating.

I really lucked out in the roommate department. Looking around as she’s finishing hanging up her cosplay, it’s evident that Lily’s both tidy and fond of pretty things. Her side of the room has a number of personal touches, like a throw that looks so soft flung over her bed, two colorful pillows nearby.

We order pad thai from a little place she recommends—the best and cheapest food I’ve eaten so far in town—and then, she has to excuse herself to see some of her pals for drinks. She does invite me, but one party is enough socializing for the day, so I decline, making it clear I’d love to another time.

While she’s gone, I try to nap, but I’m too wired, so I just read while listening to music.