“You do? How come you haven’t told me about any problems lately?”

He shrugs. “I dunno. I guess I haven’t really had any.”

“Must be nice.” I look at him, and I see the guilt flash across his face. He knows that I’ve been having a really hard time lately, and that he hasn’t exactly been there for me. I suddenly realize that the one thing I thought I could always count on isn’t there anymore.

“Ally, listen, I know I haven’t exactly been the best boyfriend lately, but I’ve just been so busy with school, and practice. I don’t think you realize the kind of pressure I’m under down there.” He runs his hand through his hair and looks at me, and I can see in his eyes that he really is sorry.

“Enough pressure that you have to be mean to my friend because you’re afraid what everyone else will think?” He looks away. And when he doesn’t have an answer, he gives me mine. “Corey, this isn’t working anymore.”

“Ally—” I look at him, and he stops.

“Don’t,” I say. “I don’t know what happened. But it did. Maybe we changed, maybe we grew up, or maybe it’s just not the right time. I don’t know. But I know it’s not working.” I’m crying hard now, and my tears have made a wet spot on Corey’s shirt. It’s almost surreal, actually. The whole thing: Corey being here at school with me, Sam being in the corner, Jasmine’s and Simone’s empty beds. It feels kind of like a nightmare—Corey and I breaking up while I’m far away from my family and my home, while some strange guy tapes the whole thing so that not only will there be a record of it, but everyone in America can see.

“I know it’s been rough, Ally,” Corey says, holding me close. “But I’m sure things will get better over semester break. I mean, I’ll be home for a week , and we’ll be able to spend time together and things will go back to normal.”

“Corey,” I say, propping myself up on my elbow. “I took a picture of another guy for my photo project on where we are in our lives. You called Jen to tell her you got here okay. This is . . .” I trail off, not really knowing what this is.

“Yeah,” he says. He looks really sad, and for a second, I want to take the whole thing back. “You’re right.”