I pulled my hair back into a small burst of ponytail at the nape of my neck, looking like a bouquet of wheat shooting out from the back of my head. I sighed at my closet and gave myself a pep talk before dressing in the inevitable layers: one after another; bra, tank top, undershirt, sweater, socks, jeans, boots, coat—and not always in that order.

With my backpack bursting at the seams, I pulled up the handle and angled the bag onto its wheels.

“I’m going early for coffee.”

Beth smiled as she booted up her laptop. “Good luck getting that thing across the ice.”

I stepped out of the elevator into the hallway wondering if Beth was right about the weather. I held my breath and pushed the door open, waiting for the freezing temperature to sting my face. The wind blew the heavy glass door against me, working against the already pitiful pressure I had managed with one hand. Using my arm and shoulder, I forced the door open and gasped at the frigid burst of air burning my face.

I stumbled into the dining hall the student populace affectionately and appropriately dubbed “The Ratty”, and brushed off my coat. Shuffling across the muted tile floor, I made a bee-line for the coffee pot. Dark, brown liquid created the steam that would help me function that early in the morning. Out of habit, I reached for my favorite hazelnut creamer and two packets of Splenda.

“That stuff is death in a package, you know,” Kim said from behind me.

“You sound like my mother,” I grumbled.

“I’m surprised you came today. Sucks that your dad died during finals.”

Kim was never one for holding back or mincing words. I usually found it very refreshing, but I hadn’t had time to brace myself before the words left her lips, and my ribs wrenched in response.

“Yeah.”

Kim watched me for a moment, and then shoved a blueberry corn muffin at my face.

“Breakfast?”

I shook my head, uncrossing my eyes from looking at the muffin. “No, thanks. I need to get to class.”

“I’ll walk with you,” she said, pulling the muffin back.

Kim pulled a faded, red plaid hunter’s cap complete with ear covers over her short brown hair. If I thought I could laugh, I would have.

“Oh, Kim,” I said, attempting to make my voice sound cautious.

“What?” she asked, stopping in her tracks.

“Nothing,” I shook my head, deciding to leave it alone.