"Janice probably picked up that I'm attracted to you," you say, and try not to feel like everyone in the hall is staring at you.
"Oh." You can't tell if Kayla's pleased by that revelation or not.
"And if you feel the same way, I'd be interested in us acting on that."
Before you can go any further, Kayla shakes her head. "I'm not in a place where I can date."
"I get it. It's cool."
"I wish it could be different," Kayla says. "This isn't about you, it's about me."
"Is that comforting to hear?" Alex chimes in. "Because I do not think it is solely about them."
It Isn't Just About Her
Dr. Pugh finally wanders off, and Bill and Janice deign to notice your presence. "Cooper's an old friend," Bill says, as if that excuses his behavior.
"But he's retired," Janice says. "The two of you aren't. So let's talk about how your first semester has gone." She looks genuinely interested in your answer.
As if on cue, drumsticks click four times inside the Derby Room. A wall of sound blasts from the open door. Guitars wail, drums pound, and bass notes thrum under it all.
"They're called 'Various Artists!'" Even though Bill has to nearly shout to be heard over the band, he pretends that he's talking normally. "I asked them to start with 'Last Christmas!'"
Various Artists' cover of the song is very fast, as if they want to get it over with as quickly as possible.
Oh Boy!