Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

Kara snaps. "Hey! My best friend and I are going through something. So why don't you mind your own damn business?"

A few students around us turn. Even the professor notices. His eyes go straight to Kara.

"I know it's tough to come back after a break, but let's get our eyes on the screen, huh?" He presses a button to change to the next slide.

Kara tears a sheet of paper from her notebook. She fishes through her bag, pulls out a pen, and slams it on my desk.

Write it down if you have to, but tell me why you look like hell. It's not just about your parents and your sister. It's more than that.

She mouths now.

I scribble on the paper: I don't want to talk about it.

She writes: At least tell me what happened with Miles.

Fine. I write two words: It's over.

"More than that," she whispers.

"That's it."

"That's obviously not it, but fine. This is the friendship you want to have—that's what we'll have."

The annoying guy leans in, but she cuts him off.

"I'm fucking leaving, okay?" Kara shoves her things into her bag, pushes out of her seat, and makes for the door.

She's leaving ten minutes into class.

Screw it. I shove my stuff into my bag and follow Kara out the door.

There are a few students in the hallway, staring at their books, but it's otherwise empty.

I follow Kara towards the front door. "I don't want to talk about Miles, but we can still talk about other stuff."

She pushes the door open and plops on the nearest bench.

I sit next to her, resting my head on her shoulder. "I don't want to fight."

"Me either," she says.

"I'm sorry I've been distant."

"It's okay," she says. "I have a lot of stuff to deal with the next two weeks. Then it's finals. We can meet up after that and watch some dumb movie and eat too much popcorn." Kara shifts so she's looking at me. "If you want to talk, I'm here. Any time, day or night, okay?"

I nod.

"Is there any chance you're going to call me?"

"It's possible."

Kara squeezes me. "Promise anyway."

"I promise."

* * *

By the weekend, my concentration is back. I spend all day Saturday studying. It's about time for a break when there's a knock on the door.