You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(15)

“It wouldn’t offend me if you didn’t.”

I smile. “It was a great lecture. I promise.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Now, what else are you taking?”

“I don’t know. I’m still shopping around.”

“Have you thought about what major you want?”

I let out a breath. “I honestly have no clue. I know Julie decided already.” She’s practically had her life planned out since sophomore year of high school. Meanwhile, I don’t even know what’s for breakfast tomorrow.

“We all have our own timelines, Oliver.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“If anything,” she says, “maybe this class will help you figure it out.”

“I hope so.”

As Professor Clarke packs up her things, I glance at the box on the table. “So what’s actually in there, by the way?”

“You know I can’t tell you that,” she answers.

“My guess is there’s nothing inside.”

She looks at me, almost surprised. “If that’s what you choose to believe, then maybe it’s a good thing you’re taking this class. Because for all you know, there’s an entire universe in there.”



* * *





I check my phone the second I get out of class. Why hasn’t Ben messaged me back yet? It’s been a few hours already. I know it shouldn’t bother me this much. I mean, we don’t even know each other. But I can’t seem to get him out of my head. Hopefully, I’ll hear from him soon.

I forgot my key card in my room this morning. So I have to wait for someone to let me into the dorm building. There’s different music playing in each hallway, like different radio stations. I’m about to try our door handle when I notice the rubber band. From what I learned in movies, that’s the universal roommate code for “do not disturb.” We never discussed it before though. Maybe I’ll just knock first.

A moment later, Ethan cracks open the door. But he doesn’t let me in. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Oh, you know, enjoying the hallway. Are you—”

“Busy, yeah.” He points at the rubber band on the knob. “You mind coming back later?”

“What time later?”

Ethan checks his watch. “How about six?”

“Six?” I consider this. “Alright. Fine.”

“Great. Owe you one—” He shuts the door between us.

That’s the longest conversation we’ve had all week. I should have just asked him to grab my key card. But I don’t want to knock again. So I head back down the hallway. Maybe I’ll take a stroll through town.

Someone is waiting outside for me.

“Hey,” Nolan says casually.

I nearly trip on the step. I want to turn around, but the door has already closed behind me. I’m waiting for him to head off, but he just stands there with his hands in his pockets.

“What are you doing here?” I finally ask.

“I wanted to see you.”

I don’t respond.

“And to talk,” he admits. “I tried texting you, but I don’t think they’re going through. Unless you blocked me or…”

“How did you know where I moved?”

“Rachel told me.”

I should have figured that already. She’s one of his best friends, and her younger brother lives on the floor above me. “So you came here to stalk me…”

“I came because I missed you.” His voice is softer than usual. “I’m sorry. It was a mistake, okay? I don’t want things to end over this.” He looks at me with those piecing blue eyes, which might have worked a few months ago.

“I have to go,” I say. I try to walk around him. But he puts out a hand.

“Wait, alright? Just tell me what I should do.”

“Nothing.”

“Can’t we at least talk about it?”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

Nolan groans. “You’re killing me right now. I told you, I’m sorry. I wish it never happened, alright?”

“I wish it didn’t, either,” I say.

“Oliver—”

I hurry off before he can say more. Thankfully, he doesn’t follow after me. I can’t believe he was just waiting outside like that. I figured we would run into each other eventually. But I thought it would be at a party or something. I’m not even sure how to feel right now. Because a part of me still misses him. After all, we were together for five months. We spent every day together. I’d never been that close with anyone else. He was the first person I loved since Sam.

A part of me wants to forgive him, pretend like none of this ever happened. Wouldn’t life be so much easier that way? As I cut through the school rose garden, I remember what Sam once said. “You deserve someone who gives you flowers.”

If only you were still here.

I wish I could call Julie and tell her what happened. But it’s probably two a.m. in Copenhagen. Maybe I should have gone with her. Moved to a completely different country. At least I know Nolan wouldn’t be there. What if I just call her anyway? I mean, she basically manifested this encounter. And this is basically an emergency. As I pull out my phone, there’s a text message.