One Year (New & Lengthened Edition) Read Online Free Page A

in?” I ask Dylan. He laughs. I think he knows that I’m just following standard operating procedures of meeting someone new at college. What other way is there to evaluate the person from head to toe and make all sorts of inappropriate assumptions of who they are as human beings?
    “Not sure yet. Leaning toward history, I think. I’m planning on going to law school after. So history sounds good, I guess.”
    “Hey, me too!” Juliet says. “I just love Roman and Greek civilizations. They’re so fascinating, right?”
    Dylan’s unimpressed. “I like 20 th century better.”
    “Is that history or poli sci?” she asks.
    We take a moment to consider the notion. I hate to admit it, but I agree. In school, we didn’t even reach the 20 th century. Instead, we kept learning about Columbus, the founding of America, and the 1800s.
    My eyes wander over to the back and I see Tristan standing there. His hair is falling slightly into his face. He casually leans on the doorframe the way models do in magazines. Look at me, aren’t I hot? But not in that totally obvious way? I’m hot, but I don’t really know it. Except that I do. That’s what that look says. Even if the guy doesn’t say it out loud. Especially if he doesn’t.
    Dylan and Juliet continue their banter, completely oblivious to us. I stare at him. He says nothing. I can’t believe that less than three weeks ago, I could just go over there and plant a big wet kiss on those luscious and utterly kissable lips. And now I can’t. It’s feels so arbitrary. It hasn’t been that long at all and just because our status has changed, suddenly we’re strangers with nothing to say to each other. No. We’re strangers with a million things to say to each other. A million things we can’t or don’t say.
    “Oh hey, Tristan! You’re back. Good,” Dylan says. “I was just wondering if any of you are hungry? I know this awesome pizza place down the street. They serve slices as big as regular-sized pizzas at other places. Their pizza’s delicious.”
    “I’m starving,” Juliet says.
    “Me too,” Tristan says after a moment. I search his face trying to figure out what he thinks I should do. But his expression is blank. Unreadable.
    “No, I’m fine. I got a lot to do,” I finally say.
    “Awe, c’mon, Alice. Please come.” Dylan puts his arm around my shoulder as if I’m his oldest friend. “Pretty please?”
    “Yeah, c’mon,” Juliet says. “It’ll be fun.”
    “I don’t know.” I stand my ground.
    “This is our first official activity as suite mates and you have to be a part of it.” The tone in Dylan’s voice changes. He’s more serious now. But still joking.
    “Listen, if she doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t have to go,” Tristan says. It sounds like he’s taking my side, but something in the way that he says it irks me. He’s the one who dumped me. Why should I be the one staying home and not going out? Fuck him.
    “Okay, I’ll go,” I say.
    “Awesome!” Dylan jumps up in excitement. He wraps his arms around me and gives me a big kiss on my cheek.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tristan’s crestfallen face. All of a sudden, I feel as light as a feather.

6
    T ristan goes to get the elevator and I stay behind and wait for Juliet and Dylan to get their wallets.
    “How are you feeling? Are you okay?” she asks when she comes out. I shrug.
    “What’s wrong?” Dylan asks. Juliet gives him the broad strokes.
    “Tristan is your ex-boyfriend? Holy shit. That’s awkward.”
    “Yep.” I nod. “As of two weeks ago. I tried to go change rooms, but there are no other rooms available apparently. So I’m stuck here with him.”
    “Hey, hey, hey. I take personal offense at that, girlie. Yes, it’s fuckin’ awkward as hell to live with your ex, but he’s not your only roommate. There’s also Juliet and I. And we’re pretty awesome. I’m sure that you’ll be convinced of that by the end of dinner.”
    My mouth salivates at