L
written by Sarah Jensen illustrations and layout by Shay Suban
ove was in the air, so Alicia packed up her laptop and some notebooks and evacuated the premises. She liked her roommate, and didn’t mind her roommate’s boyfriend visiting, but the two of them were inching closer while watching some rom-com and she saw where this was heading. Her floormates were shouting and blasting One Direction in the floor lounge. The building lounge was hosting some midterm stress relief event. Alicia was starting to entertain the idea of actually making the trek to a library for once, but a text stopped her. Chris: Yo I’m doing chem in my lounge if anyone wants to join. Kumiko: I’m down Alicia considered it. Study groups usually weren’t great for her productivity. That said, Chem was her weakness this quarter. Kumiko and Chris were doing well in that class, based on the first midterm. And a free lounge was a free lounge. Alicia: omw She realized then that she’d forgotten her laptop charger in her room.
It’s not even a real anything. It’s just them walking down the rain-soaked street, holding hands with arms outstretched because they have the room, skipping a little in the night. The air smells clean, freshly bathed. One twirls into the other’s arms. She turns around to hug her properly. They could say something, but words wouldn’t be enough. So they hold each other for a second, and then continue on their way in the crisp night air. There’s a real world out there somewhere, but it’s not their concern right now. Their only worry is
20 | OutWrite, 2018
trying to keep the fuzz in their hearts from getting wet, which is both an easy problem and not a bad one to have. And what is there to say? It’s a feeling that’s warm but not too warm, smells like rainy leaves and her shampoo, the softness of a chinchilla and the light chill of an autumn night. It’s like her body is free and her heart is in her hug. It’s as contradictory and beautiful as love itself. There is nothing to say. Just them two walking down the rainy road, holding hands with arms outstretched to take up the space they’re given.
“How’s it going with Carla?” Jack grinned as he changed lanes. “Pretty chill. I think we’ve established we’re official but on the DL.” “Why so secretive?” Alicia asked. “Uh… She’s worried people will judge her for getting in a relationship right after breaking up with Neal.” “Right after? Bullshit, it’s been two months.” Jack shrugged. “Her words, not mine. Shoutout to double standards, ‘cause I broke up with Gabrielle around the same time, and I know I won’t get judged for being with Carla.” “Also bullshit. How long is Carla in mourning for?” Jack laughed out loud. “I think she wants to wait another month, at least. A quarter of a year is a respectable period of mourning for a young gentlewoman,” he said in an affected tone. Alicia snorted. “Honestly, it’s nice that she’s moved on already. She’s heading into her next love story instead of rereading the last one for too long.” “Instead of prolonging the period of sorrow and
