"Hey! There you are!"

I smile, hearing Emma's excited calls. As I walk in the small restaurant, where most of her friend group already is. I try to ignore the fact I'm not one of the first.

Alex gives me a wave. I wave back. Look around the table for a free spot. Flinch on the inside when the only seat is next to two people I don't know.

But I guess I'll have to sit down soon, given the way the waitress is staring at me. The guy on my left is tall. Like, almost double my size tall. Okay, maybe not that much, but even Aiden would be short next to him.

He's full of tattoos, looking extremely dangerous. Alex's are less intimidating, because he's not fully tattooed, but this guy? He has his whole skin covered.

The girl on my right is bubbly. She shouts over the table, joins in on every conversation and almost spills Emma's milkshake twice in the timespan of a minute.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to her," the tall guy whispers. I jump up in fright, not expecting him to talk to someone as innocent-looking as me.

Get used to her? Fuck, she's worse than Nina.

I count the people in this friend group. Four guys and two girls. Damn.

"And you are?" Tall Guy tries again. I realize he's just trying to get to know me, because I'm starting to be a part of this group. I love that. "I'm Aaron. Do you follow the same classes as us? I'm sorry, I just haven't noticed you before."

The conversations at our table die out while everyone slowly looks at me. I cringe. What did I do now?

As I look at Tall Guy, I see him doubting if he should burst out in laughter or start glaring at me. Then, slowly, "No, I do not follow the same classes as you. I don't attend college."

I shrug, trying to keep it light-hearted. "Well, that's okay too. What do you do all day then? Just sitting at home is boring, right?"

He frowns. Looks me up and down as he raises an eyebrow. "Aaron, I teach at your college."

Oh—

My eyes widen. Oh shit. What is it with me and teachers nowadays?

"Yes," he chuckles. "Sadly, my girlfriend isn't in my class. We do act like that, though. Her role-plays are the best."

I shiver. I did not need to know that.

Emma pipes up. "Speaking of, where is she? Or did her so-called favorite teacher give her homework?"

He flips her the bird and sinks in his chair. "I swear to God, some of the professors on this campus are a pain in the ass. Like, seriously, Whitlock? Does everyone has to fail or what?"

I feel my cheeks start to get red and sink a little further in my chair. My flattered self gets even worse when I see Emma wink at me. Oh gosh.

"Aiden Whitlock. Fuck, that man drives me crazy. He's infuriating, fails all his students no matter what and picks out the best students to shit on! I mean, Lisa got an F because her handwriting sucks! What the fuck is up with that man?"

I frown. That's not true. As strict as Aiden is, he'd never be unreasonable about grading.

"Maybe her writing style sucks? Mister Whitlock is a decent man, even if his standers are unbelievably high. I've heard of people getting straight A's in his class. It is possible, and they turned out to be great genies. So maybe his bar is high because he wants people to achieve something in their life."

Tall guy smirks and nods at Emma. "Oh, you're right. He's definitely fucking him."

I gasp, outraged. Betrayed, I look at said traitor. "You are dead meat."

She laughs out loud. "I'm sorry! It's just so obvious! You just defended a professor whose class you've never followed."

My mouth clasps shut. Tall Guy grins. "I'm not even a teacher. I'm graduating this spring with a business degree."

These bastards. I cross my arms over my chest. "All of this effort and for what? To find out I have a little crush on him? Doesn't everyone think he's hot as fuck?"

Agreeing glances are shared. They seem to buy my utter crap and the topic shifts. My milkshakes arrives and while everyone around me joins in on Emma's boyfriend and Alex arguing about the best Oreo's kind, I just play with my straw.

The milkshake's nice, but suddenly, I just want to curl up and close my eyes. The exhaustion of my football match crashes down on me, leaving my tired and needy for hugs. Micah's, to be specific. I always fall asleep in less than ten seconds when I'm in his comfortable hugs.

Movement occurs in the corner of my eye. I look up, seeing Emma switching places with the overwhelming girl next to me. Relief crashes me sitting posture, leaving my leaning against the booth. She's less exhausting than that girl.

"His name is Isaac," she whispers and points to her laughing boyfriend. Her finger moves to every person until it's directed at Tall Guy. "That's Theodore. It's a sweet name, but don't get mistaken. He's a wolf in sheep's clothes."

I shift a little closer to her. Theodore notices and grins. "I'm a vegan wolf, thank you very much. Now, Aaron, has Emma ever told you about that time I caught her and Isaac in the supplies closet?"

I shake my head. He throws one arm around my neck and start telling, half for me and the other half for everyone else at the table. I wince and struggle a little. I don't like his touch.

Luckily, he decides it's uncomfortable to tell a story like this and lets go of me fast enough. I slump back against Emma, who doesn't seem to mind and whispers to me, "They're a bit oppressive, aren't they?"

I'm afraid to nod, but too tired to form a decent response. So I just shrug. She smiles knowingly. "Don't stress too much about it. Anna, the girl who sat next to you, lives in New York. She's only here twice a year, so this was rare. Her friend is living with her, so he'll be gone too. It's mostly me, Alex and Isaac, and then Theodore whenever he decides we're cool enough."

Theodore gasps, placing his hand over his chest in mock pain. He's stopped in the middle of his sentence, making everyone look at me again. My cheeks start to flush spontaneously.

"I have never left your side," he fake sniffles. Emma scoffs, wrapping her arm around me and pulling me closer to her. I lay my head on her shoulder, just because it feels nice. It feels as if she understands my need for peace.

"Which, obviously, is the whole problem in the first place," she shoots back. I smile at the way Theodore gasps. "You— I'm never asking my poor grandmother after cookies for you again. Ever."

Emma's eyes widen in horror. "No! Theodore! I deserve those cookies! I am your best friend! Those cookies are my payment to endure you! What else—" "Hey!" Alex interrupts, scowling. "I thought I was Theo's best friend."

Theodore stills in fear. Coughs. "Well. Um. Alex, my man . . ."

While he tries to get Alex happy with him again, Emma turns to me. "Are you okay? You keep zoning out."

I blink against my closing eyes. "I'm fine. How long have you and Isaac been together?"

"Four years and do not change the subject," she warns. I sigh. "I'm really fine. I've just . . . reached my limit for today. You know? My mind is screaming at me to-to just take a moment of rest. But I want to stay here."

She smiles, gently. "If you want to go, you can. Believe me, I understand. Everyone here will. So don't worry about that, please."

I give a little shrug. "I don't want to make it sound like I didn't like this when in fact, I did. It's just—I don't know, I don't want to lose you all as a friend."

Her face melts. "Aw. You're my sweetest friend. The others just call me mean and a bitch. Don't worry, I can be one. But if you're sweet to me, then I'm sweet to you. I can tell we're going t be best friends!"

Alex throws his hands up in desperation. "This chick is changing her best friend every three seconds! Just two hours ago, I was her best friend because I gave her coffee. Seriously, Isaac, how do you even put up with that?"

Emma slaps his arm, but Alex doesn't even feel it and continues to smirk at her. I smile along. "Bet Theodore will be her best friend by 6?"

Alex grins and nods. Emma gasps and flicks my head before seeing my tired expression. She claps in her hands. "Alright people, we have a code pink. I'll be back. Say bye!"

Having no idea what a code pink is, I get dragged along by Emma. Everyone smiles and waves at me before I'm out of the restaurant. My friend gives me another worried smile.

"Is there anyone you can call that can come get you? Or I could drop you off at your apartment?"

"What does a pink code mean?" I ask, ignoring her questions.

She smiles again, effortlessly. "It means that you're worn out and want to go. Isaac has a slight case of social anxiety, which is why we started using it. And I love pink. So now that you're part of us, you can use it too. I do think you have it worse than Isaac though. Will be alright, babe. I'm easy to be with. Ask anyone."

She demands my phone to call someone. Grudgingly, I hand it over. She scrolls through the contacts, naming every person. I always say pass. No one needs to be bothered with this.

"Who the hell is mommy?"

I frown and look at the screen, seeing that's Ada's number. I gasp in horror. Fucking Micah!

"Call Micah. I'm going to punch him."