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I sighed, resigned to the fact that I wouldn’t be getting around this topic nowas the saht You and everyone else were the sa with all of you like nothing happened" I took a breath, trying to push theto do with our friendship, or you I just couldn’t stand that look on everyone’s faces"

When I looked up at her, the pity in her eyes made me sick to my stomach I pushed my plate away and reached for my purse

"I wanted to talk with you about it, but you never really gave me a chance," she said

"Believe it or not, I don’t really like talking about it," I snapped

Her eyes were bright and innocent, re her parents’ gift boxes of junk food, sharing stories and dreams in our freshman naïveté

I relaxed in s out on my own, and for whatever reason, I couldn’t do that at the house"

"I understand"

She didn’t, but I gave her credit for trying, even though she was dragging ether when I get back from Spain and catch up a bit," she said "We don’t have to talk about that stuff, obviously I know it’s upsetting for you"

I nodded I couldn’t change the past, but e some of as lost

"Sure" I forced a smile "Let’s stay in touch"

We talked about professors and housing in the city while Liz finished her oodbyes As I turned toward the caed with a text It was Alli

Need to talk I have news

My stomach sank I called her

"What’s up?"

"I have news"

"So you said What is it?"

"I got the job"

"Fuck" I blurted it out I couldn’t help it

"Erica?"

"What do you want me to say?" I tappedLiz had putmy best friend, rooh point in ratulations I know you wanted this Unfortunately I didn’t"

Alli was silent on the phone for a few seconds "We talked about this, and now you see Things were in motion now, just shy of Max’s potential decision to fund us

"When do you leave?"

"In a few days I can crash with a friend in the city until I get a place"