The young woman frowned when he spoke of how all relationships that went from high school to college were doomed, but she didn’t disagree. She understood why he said so, most of them were. As for his school and future she just shrugged, leaning back to rest her weight on the palms on her hands, legs crossed. “You have plenty of time. Besides, people worry way too much about college. Doesn’t matter where you go or what decision you make, you seem like the type to excel wherever you’re put.”

[i]“My friends think we have a thing,”[/i] he said after some time, surprising Alice. Not that he said it…but the way it came out. Hm. Perhaps it was humorous…

“Like…we’re dating?” she asked lightly, faking a laugh. “Ah, Lucas I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what they’d say if they knew about this weekend, I can’t believe you agreed to it. Look, if you want,” she continued, getting up and going to the kooler to get to food, “I’ll clear it all up however I can. Single and perfectly available.” Alessia brought the metal sticks used to cook over a fire and gave him one. It was time to eat and she was getting hungry. What the heck would he say if she knew her friends were pushing her to make a move? “We could stop hanging out, talking between classes and stuff. Or just ignore them. Once they see nothing serious is happening I’m sure they’ll lay off.”