THE STREET – 11:05 PM
The figure froze.
The hoodie was oversized. The jeans were dark. The shoes were nondescript. But the face under the hood was unmistakable. Zuru's sharp cheekbones. Her full lips. Her wide eyes that were usually laughing at someone but were now wide with something else. Fear. Or surprise. Or both.
Wesley stared at her. His hand was still reaching for the small bag on the ground. He didn't pick it up.
"Zuru."
She didn't move. Didn't speak. Just stood there, the envelope of cash in her hand, her chest rising and falling too fast.
"You're the dealer," Wesley said. Not a question. A realization.
She pulled her hood down. Let it fall around her shoulders. Her hair was a mess. Her makeup was smudged. She looked nothing like the loud, confident girl who told stories about imaginary boyfriends and cursed at vending machines.
"I'm not a dealer," she said. Her voice was different. Quieter. No performance.
"Then what are you?"
"I'm a messenger."
"A messenger."
"I pick up the cash. I drop off the product. I don't know who makes it. I don't know where it comes from. I just... move it."
Wesley picked up the small bag. Held it between his fingers. The white powder caught the faint light from the busted streetlight.
"Does Vicky know?"
"No."
"Does anyone know?"
"No."
She stepped back. Her back hit the wall. She didn't seem to notice.
"How long?" Wesley asked.
"Since first semester. Before the party. Before Oliver almost died."
"And you kept doing it. After he almost died."
Zuru's jaw tightened. "People need things. I help them get it. That's all."
"That's not all. That's never all."
"Are you going to tell someone?"
Wesley looked at the bag. Then at her. Then at the bag again.
"No."
She blinked. "No?"
"No. Because I was here. Because I was about to buy it. Because I'm just as guilty as you are."
He tossed the bag back to her. She caught it.
"Keep your product," he said. "Keep your cash. Keep your secrets."
He turned to walk away.
"Wesley."
He stopped. Didn't turn around.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"For what?"
"For everything."
He walked away.
She stood alone in the dark, the bag in one hand, the envelope in the other.
The pigeon flew away. The streetlight stopped swaying.
THE DORM – 11:30 PM
Oliver was already there when Wesley walked in.
Charlie was sitting on his bed, arms crossed. Oliver was leaning against the wall, arms crossed too. They looked like a tribunal.
"Where were you?" Charlie asked.
"Out."
"Out where?"
Wesley sat on his bed. Pulled off his hoodie. Folded it neatly. Placed it on the pillow.
"Nowhere important."
Charlie stood up. "Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Lie to my face."
Wesley looked at him. "I'm not lying. I'm just not telling you everything. There's a difference."
Charlie's face went red. "You're impossible."
"I'm consistent. There's also a difference."
Oliver stepped between them. "Both of you. Sit down."
They sat.
"Something is wrong," Oliver said. "I can feel it. The energy in this room is off."
Charlie looked at Wesley. Wesley looked at the wall.
"I saw something tonight," Wesley said finally. "Something I shouldn't have seen."
"What?" Charlie asked.
Wesley hesitated. His mind went back to Zuru's face. The fear. The surprise. The way she'd said "I'm a messenger."
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not my secret."
Oliver nodded slowly. "Then keep it. But don't let it eat you."
"Too late for that," Wesley said.
They sat in silence.
The fan hummed.
The night pressed on.
THE GIRLS' DORM – MIDNIGHT
Zuru walked in.
Her hair was still a mess. Her makeup was still smudged. Her hands were empty. No bag. No envelope. No product.
Vicky was asleep. Zizi was reading. Ese was in the corner, her book open.
"You're back late," Zizi said.
"Couldn't sleep. Went for a walk."
"In the dark?"
"The dark is when I think best."
Zizi looked at her. "You look like you've been crying."
Zuru touched her face. Her cheeks were dry. "I haven't been crying."
"Then why do your eyes look like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you saw a ghost."
Zuru walked to her bed. Sat down. Didn't lie down. Just sat.
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
"I'm always lying."
"That's not healthy."
"I know."
Zizi watched her for a long moment. Then she went back to her book.
Ese turned a page.
Zuru stared at the wall.
She didn't sleep.
THE LECTURE HALL – 8:00 AM
Dr. Adeola stood at the front of the class, her braids swinging, her smile crooked.
"Today we're talking about secrets," she said.
A guy in the back raised his hand. "Secrets like what?"
"Secrets like the things we hide from the people closest to us. The things we're ashamed of. The things we're afraid of. The things that would change everything if anyone found out."
Nelly sat in the front row. Her pen was still. Her heart was pounding.
"The question," Dr. Adeola continued, "is not whether you have secrets. Everyone has secrets. The question is: what do you do when someone finds out?"
She looked directly at Zuru, who was sitting in the back row, her hood up, her eyes down.
"Do you run? Do you fight? Do you lie? Do you tell the truth and hope for mercy?"
Zuru didn't look up.
"The answer," Dr. Adeola said, "is that there is no right answer. Only consequences."
She moved on.
Zuru's hands were shaking.
THE CLINIC – AFTERNOON
Chuks was eating. Again.
He sat at the front desk, a container of jollof rice in one hand, a spoon in the other, a look of pure joy on his face.
"You're going to choke," Aaron said.
"If I die, I die happy."
"That's not a good epitaph."
"It's better than 'he was always on time.'"
Aaron laughed. A real laugh. It surprised him.
Chuks looked up. "There he is. The human being. I was starting to think you were a robot."
"I'm not a robot."
"You act like one. Cold. Efficient. Emotionless."
"I'm just tired."
"You're always tired. That's not an excuse."
Aaron sat down across from him. "What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to say something real. Something that makes you sound like a person and not a medical textbook."
Aaron was quiet for a moment.
"I'm scared," he said.
"Of what?"
"Of everything. Of failing. Of losing people. Of the person I'm becoming."
Chuks put down his spoon. "That's real. That's very real."
"It doesn't feel real. It feels like I'm watching myself from outside my body."
"That's called dissociation. It's a trauma response."
Aaron stared at him. "How do you know that?"
"Because I've been there. Because I've felt that. Because I'm older than you and I've made more mistakes." Chuks leaned forward. "You're not broken, Aaron. You're just tired. There's a difference."
They sat in silence.
A patient walked in. Chuks put on his professional face.
Aaron went back to work.
THE BASKETBALL COURT – LATE AFTERNOON
Oliver was alone again.
The team had been chosen. He wasn't on it. The court was empty except for the ghosts of tryouts.
He shot. Missed. Shot. Made it. Shot. Missed.
His phone buzzed.
Nelly (4:15 PM): I meant what I said last night. I'm not waiting anymore. But I hope you're okay.
He stared at the message.
Oliver (4:16 PM): I'm not okay. But I'm trying.
Nelly (4:16 PM): That's all anyone can do.
He put the phone away.
Shot. Swish.
Shot. Swish.
Shot. Swish.
He didn't miss again.
THE GIRLS' DORM – EVENING
Mandy was sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone, when Vicky walked in.
No knock. No warning. Just Vicky, in the doorway, her arms crossed, her jaw tight.
"We need to talk," Vicky said.
"About what?"
"About Aaron. About you. About everything."
Mandy put down her phone. "I'm listening."
Vicky stepped into the room. Closed the door behind her.
"You're a cunt," Vicky said.
"And you're a bitch. Is this conversation over?"
"No. This conversation is just starting."
Mandy stood up. "What do you want, Vicky? An apology? You're not getting one. An explanation? You wouldn't believe it anyway. A fight? Because I'm tired, and I'm not in the mood."
"I want you to stay away from him."
"I've been staying away from him. He's been coming to me."
"That's a lie."
"It's not. But believe what you want. It doesn't change the truth."
Vicky stepped closer. "The truth is you're a homewrecker."
"The truth is your relationship was broken before I showed up. I just made it obvious."
Vicky's hand clenched into a fist.
"Don't," Mandy said. "You'll only embarrass yourself."
"Fuck you."
"You already did. Metaphorically."
The room was silent.
Then Vicky laughed. A bitter, broken sound.
"You're unbearable."
"I know."
"I hate you."
"I know."
"I wish I'd never met you."
Mandy sat back down on her bed. "That makes two of us."
Vicky stood there for a long moment. Then she turned and walked out.
The door closed.
Mandy picked up her phone.
Mandy (6:30 PM): Vicky just left.
Aaron (6:31 PM): Are you okay?
Mandy (6:31 PM): I'm fine. She's the one who's falling apart.
Aaron (6:32 PM): This is my fault.
Mandy (6:32 PM): Yes. It is.
She put the phone down.
The room was quiet.
THE DORM – 9:00 PM
Charlie was on his bed, scrolling through his phone.
Josephine had texted him earlier. You're sweet. But I'm not looking for anything serious.
He'd replied: Who said anything about serious?
She'd replied: Your eyes.
He didn't know what that meant.
Wesley was reading. Oliver was stretching. Aaron was staring at the wall.
"Anyone want to do something?" Charlie asked.
"Like what?" Wesley said.
"I don't know. Go somewhere. Do something."
"It's nine o'clock on a Tuesday."
"Perfect time for bad decisions."
Oliver stood up. "I'm in."
Wesley closed his book. "Fine."
Aaron didn't move.
"Aaron?" Charlie said.
"I'm tired."
"You're always tired."
"I'm always tired."
Charlie grabbed his jacket. "Suit yourself."
They walked out.
The door closed.
Aaron sat alone in the quiet.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number (9:05 PM): Your friends are leaving you behind. Again.
He stared at the screen. Then he deleted the message.
For the first time, he didn't reply. He didn't call. He just deleted it.
He lay back on his bed.
The fan hummed.
He closed his eyes.
THE STREET – 9:30 PM
Charlie, Wesley, and Oliver walked through campus.
The air was cool. The stars were out. A few students sat on benches, laughing, smoking, living.
"Where are we going?" Wesley asked.
"I don't know," Charlie said. "That's the point."
"You don't have a plan?"
"I have a spirit of adventure. That's better than a plan."
"That's not better. That's just chaos."
"Chaos is underrated."
Oliver laughed. A real laugh.
Wesley looked at him. "You're laughing?"
"I'm trying."
"It sounds weird."
"It feels weird."
They walked past the humanities building. The asphalt was clean. The lights were off.
Charlie stopped. "Remember when Oliver almost died here?"
"Don't," Oliver said.
"I'm just saying. It's wild. You almost died. And now you're here. Walking with us. Laughing."
"I don't want to think about it."
"Then don't. But I'm glad you're here."
Oliver was quiet for a moment.
"Me too," he said.
They kept walking.
THE ABANDONED STUDIO – 10:00 PM
Rose stood alone in the dark.
The list was longer now. Ten names. Three she'd crossed out. Two she'd added. Vicky's name was still there.
Kelly had texted her. The meeting is tomorrow. Everyone will be there.
Rose hadn't replied.
She was thinking about Temi. About the rumor she'd asked Kelly to spread. About what would happen when Temi found out.
She didn't feel guilty.
She felt necessary.
She picked up her phone.
Rose (10:05 PM): Tomorrow. 7PM. Don't be late.
Kelly (10:05 PM): Everyone will be there.
Rose (10:06 PM): Everyone better be.
She put down the phone.
The garden would survive.
Even if she had to burn it down and start over.
THE DORM – 11:00 PM
Charlie, Wesley, and Oliver came back.
Aaron was still awake. Still staring at the wall.
"We brought food," Charlie said, holding up a bag.
"I'm not hungry."
"You're always not hungry."
"I'm always not hungry."
Charlie threw the bag on Aaron's bed. "Eat. Sleep. Be human."
Aaron looked at the bag. Then at Charlie. Then at the bag again.
"Thanks," he said.
"Don't thank me. Just eat."
Aaron opened the bag. A burger. Cold. Soggy. Perfect.
He took a bite.
Charlie smiled.
"See? Human."
They sat in silence.
Eating. Existing.
The night pressed on.