“Hey.” McKenzie Howard, my roommate for this trip, is studying me closely. I try to think of the last time I talked to her before this trip and come up blank. Most people think going to a smaller school means you know everyone.

Truthfully, I think it segregates people more. Once you’re associated with a certain group, that’s your group. You can’t “meet” new friends, they’re technically peers you’ve known for years. Blurring boundaries becomes awkward.

Last night, it was late enough for conversation between us to be limited. You use the bathroom first and Okay if I turn out the light? was straightforward.

Now, it’s more awkward. There’s another layer of uncertainty between us that’s fueled by the fact that there’s nothing to do. Today was exhausting, endless stops around the city scheduled closely together.

I hung out in the lobby with London and a few other girls I’m friendly with for a couple of hours after dinner, expecting to come back and find McKenzie gone. This is our second and final night in the city, so I’m sure some—most—seniors are planning to sneak out.

I assumed McKenzie would be one of them. I was banking on it, actually. It’s awkward, being in here with her.

After changing into my pajamas, I take a seat cross-legged on the bed. McKenzie is still settled on the couch, busy on her phone.

I pick up the remote and start flipping through the channels. It’s mostly news and sports. I stop on an action thriller with an actor who looks familiar, but it’s halfway through and the plot is hard to follow. At least the gunfire and explosions keep the room from total silence.

I’m barely paying attention to the movie when there’s a knock on the door. McKenzie stands and walks over to open it.

Grace is standing in the doorway. She’s wearing a low-cut top and tight jeans, her blonde hair curled and her makeup flawlessly applied. “You ready?”

“Yeah, I, um, I thought we were meeting at the elevators?”

Grace spots me. Her expression flares with surprise. Obviously, her best friend didn’t mention she was rooming with me. “I got bored,” she tells McKenzie. “London fell asleep.”

I already knew London was staying with Grace. She mentioned it when we were hanging out earlier.

There’s nothing malicious about Grace’s words themselves, but there’s a superiority seeped into her tone. Some judgment of London that seems like it’s really a slight at me.