Nathan’s still at his practice when I get done, so I go back and pack for our drive to State tomorrow. Sydney comes into our room freshly showered. “Hanging out with Nathan tonight?”

“I’m not sure,” I tell her. “He’s got a late practice, and we didn’t make any set plans so I’m waiting to hear from him.”

“I’m meeting Liv at TKE if you want to come?”

“I don’t think I wanna drink tonight. I need to get up early in the morning and run through some mobility exercises before classes.”

She shrugs. “I’m not really planning on drinking either, I just need to get out for a while. We’ll come back early or if Nathan texts while we’re out, you can catch an Uber to his place.”

It does sound nice to spend a few hours not studying or practicing. My insides fill with anticipation, and I grin at my roommate. “Alright, let’s do it.”

I double-check my travel bag and load up my backpack for tomorrow’s classes before Sydney and I meet Liv on the first floor of Freddy. I still haven’t heard from Nathan, so I text him to let him know my plans and tell him I’m going to stop by later. I can’t go another night without seeing him, so even if we have to literally just sleep next to one another, I’m going to see him.

Things have been great between us. I think it works out that we’re both so busy; we understand when things come up. And that seems to be the case a lot. He never asks me to stay over at his place since he has to get up so early and doesn’t want to wake me, but I’m thinking I’m going to have to get used to it if I ever want to see him.

Besides, more often than not, I’m up early to get extra conditioning in so it’s not that much of an imposition.

Not at all an imposition when I include the perks of sleeping next to my gorgeous boyfriend.

Sydney, Liv, and I walk to frat row. It’s still fairly early so we grab cups of Sprite—sans the vodka—and hole up in a corner to talk and people watch.

“You look ridiculous wearing your backpack to a party.” Sydney smirks as I drop my bag to the floor at my feet.

“I need my stuff so I can go straight to Nathan’s later. Preparation is key.”

They laugh, but I’m completely serious. Juggling time with Nathan with school and practice is tricky, but I’m determined to make it work.

“Have you talked to Shaw?” I ask Sydney.