That was one of the worst fights I’d ever had with my parents, and I’m pretty sure Fred’s mom cried for a week straight when he told her.

“Then, he broke his ankle and had to back out at the last minute. I’d been planning everything for months, so I decided to go alone.” Didn’t know how much that decision would change my life. “I hiked for three weeks before I started having this really bad pain. It was a kidney stone.”

She gives a sympathetic wince.

“The next town was days away, and with the pain, it was hard to hike the normal distance. Then, it didn’t pass right, and I got a UTI.” One of the most physically painful experiences of my life. “I was feverish and alone. I could barely crawl out of my tent. Much less hike any farther. So, I stayed where I was for close to a week before three guys found me. They were hiking, too. They helped me get to a section of the trail that crossed a road, flagged down a car, and took me to the nearest hospital. I got treated for the infection, but the damage to my kidneys was done. They’ve gotten worse over the past few years, and I had to start dialysis a little over a year ago.”

I don’t want to look at Holly. The way I ended up here was all my fault. Just stupid decision after stupid decision, and now, I’m permanently damaged.

Her warm hand slides into my relaxed palm. “That must’ve been terrifying. I don’t know if I would have survived that. Being alone out there and being so sick.” She clutches my hand, and when I glance up, there’s real fear in her gaze. “I’m glad you made it back okay.”

“Well, not completely okay.” I roll my eyes toward the machine.

“So what? You’re alive, and I’ve got a spare.” She beams at me. “It’s going to work out fine.”

There’s that warmth again, seeping through my chest. Holly’s hand is still in mine, and I want to raise it to my lips. But I know I shouldn’t, so I simply enjoy the touch of her skin against mine.

A light vibration sounds over the TV. Holly uses her free hand to reach into the back pocket of her jeans and produces a battered cell phone. Whatever she reads has her leaping from the chair, leaving my hand empty.

“Oh, freaking dagnabbit!”

Dagnabbit? Was that English?

“What’s wrong?”

Holly starts scooping up her things. “I can’t believe I forgot. It’s on my list and everything! My adviser, I’m supposed to meet with her in twenty minutes! Do you know where the closest bus station is?” She stares at me.

“Sorry. I don’t.”

She groans and tries to lace up the shoes I didn’t realize she’d slipped off.

“You can’t reschedule?”

“I’ve already done that twice, and she’s going to be gone all next week. I don’t know the next time I can sit down with her. How far are we from campus? Like jogging distance?”