Madison's rag swirled in small circles wiping away a ketchup spill from the table. The dinner rush had dwindled to a trickle of late-night snackers, giving her time to start her closing routine. That's when she spotted Jordan, isolated in a booth, staring down into their milkshake.

  "Hey," Madison slid into the seat across, surprising Jordan. "Is there something wrong with your milkshake? Because I can get you a free one,"

  Jordan shook his head, a half smile on his lips. "The milkshake is fine, I was just thinking about things."

  "Ok, what kind of things?" She asked. "You look kind of upset,"

  "Well, it is kind of about Steven," Jordan managed a small smile. "We were talking about college, careers... you know since we graduate next year. Anyway, we have talked a few times since and Steven is already looking at schools, but like all the ones he is looking at are out of the country,"

  "Oh, you're worried about the distance," Madison's brows arched high on her freckled forehead. "I mean, it could be tough but you can always go with to the same college."

  Jordan's smile faded. "That was my plan. We would go to college together, live in the same dorm and everything. But I don't want to leave the country. I don't think I can be that far from my family."

  "Sounds complicated, maybe you should talk to Steven about it," Madison reached out, briefly touching Jordan's hand before her manager came around the corner looking for her. Jordan watched her go back to work behind the counter and decided it was time to take her advice and talk to Steven.

  Jordan finished their milkshake and wandered down to Victoria Park. They looked down at their phone as they sat on the swing: 'I'm at the swings,'

  Steven made his way through the park, his spiky blonde hair catching the ling from the lamps that lined the path. "Jordan, what did you want to talk about?" He took the seat next to them.

  "Well, it's about school next year," Jordan hesitated. "I love you, Steven. But I don't want to leave Canada, I don't want to be that far away from my family."

  "Oh, That's fine, I never said you had to come with me," Steven said giving Jordan a pat on the back. "We don't have to do everything thing together, we'll still have the summers,"

  Jordan looked over at him, a little put off by how chill Steven seemed to be. "Ok, but for eight months of the year, we would only be able to video chat. You know I can barely afford tuition, I wouldn't be able to fly out to you, it feels like a lot of time apart,"

  "Jordan, we're young. I want to go out and see the world while I can. But I know I'll always come back to you." Steven reached across from his swing, taking Jordan's hand in his.

  "So you are ok with long distance? I mean everyone says it doesn't work. We might as well break up now if that's the plan," Jordan regretted it the moment they said it.

  Silence stretched between them as Jordan let go of Jordan's hand. Neither one spoke, Jordan stood and looked over to Steven one more time before turning to leave. They hoped Steven would call out after them, chase them down and explain he didn't want to break up, but Steven just remained planted on the swing. He didn't move until Jordan was gone, he still wasn't sure what had just happened.

  ---

  Across town, Derek stared at the screen of his laptop, scrolling through the postings for rental units in Waterloo. He carefully read through each one, always sighing by the time he reached the price. Madison sat in his room watching him work, she crinkled her nose when a place looked particularly dirty.

  "I mean whatever we choose, we can clean I guess," Madison began, as she looked at the grime built up on the photo of the living room. "Or maybe we should hire a cleaning service, one that doesn't deep cleaning."

  "Yeah, I don't if any amount of cleaning could fix some of these places. No one seems to care about student living conditions," Derek scrolled past another listing, not taking his eyes off the screen. Marcy's face, framed within the confines of the video call window, nodded in agreement.

  "Totally! But these places are going fast, we have to make a choice soon if we all want to live together. It's going to be awesome having you as roommates next year," Marcy added, as she scrolled through the same listings on her end.

  "I was thinking if we narrow some of these down, maybe you could go see them in person, Marcy," Derek suggested.

  "Of course I can, as long as it is on the weekend. I'll make sure they aren't overselling," Marcy confirmed with a nod.

  "Now that we have that settled, do we actually have any we want to look at?" Madison asked.

  Then, Derek stopped scrolling. His eyes widened, and a grin slowly spread across his face. "I think I might have just found one." He turned the laptop towards Madison. A listing for a three-bedroom apartment appeared, boasting 500 a month per bedroom and located just up the street from the University of Waterloo.

  "Whoa, it's right by the bus stop too, It looks perfect!" Madison exclaimed, leaning closer to scrutinize the photos of the modern-looking space.

  "Right? The bus goes right to Laurier, it comes with parking, and—look—wifi included," Derek said, practically bouncing with excitement.

  "Message the owner and send me the link," Marcy smiled, excited to see what they were seeing.

  "Will do." Derek clicked the 'contact owner' button and sent off a quick inquiry. Moments later, a response pinged back, claiming they could come look at it but only during the week and they should hurry because multiple people are looking at it.

  "He seems a bit pushy," Madison said reading over the email.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Yeah, but he probably has a ton of students messaging him right now," Derek tried to reason. Without missing a beat, he typed another message, asking if they could come see it next week. The answer was swift and uncompromising: It will be gone by then.

  "Well that sucks, No way I can go see it this week with midterms," Marcy frowned.

  "Tell you what, I'll drive up there tomorrow. I don't have any exams left this week so I am good to go," Derek offered, looking between the two.

  "I mean if you want to. It does seem like the best choice right now," Madison looked over the listing again.

  "Yep, I'm on it. We're not letting this gem slip away," Derek said, messaging to set up the viewing for the next day. The owners agreed they could check it out, and with that, Derek felt on top of the world. "Ok, we're all set. I will let you guys know how it went after,"

  "Thank you so much, babe," Marcy blew him a kiss before logging off.

  "I better head out too," Madison stood up, "I do have a finally tomorrow,"

  "Good luck, and when are you planning on telling everyone you got early acceptance to Laurier anyway?"

  "Well you know with everything going on with Rodney, I'm just waiting for things to be a little more normal first."

  Derek nodded and led her to the front door, they exchanged a small hug before she headed out into the night.

  ---

  The next day, Derek pulled up to the address, his eyes scanning the modest facade of the apartment block. It was smaller than the pictures suggested, with peeling paint on the window sills and a weary sign dangling from one hinge. He checked his phone for the time, he was right on time for the viewing, but there was no sign of anyone else there.

  "Maybe they are running a little late," he muttered, typing out another email to the owner, hoping to put his mind at ease. He leaned against his car, squinting at the bright screen of his phone as the sun beat down on him. Twenty minutes passed slower than ever as Derek watched the snowflakes drift past his car windows.

  "Still nothing," Derek mumbled refreshing his email again. He shoved his phone back into his pocket and crossed his arms, considering whether to give up or wait it out.

  A buzz in his pocket interrupted his thoughts. It was Marcy.

  "Hey, I didn't hear anything from you yet, how did it go?" her text read.

  "I didn't. The guy is a no-show," he replied, thumbs tapping swiftly on the screen.

  "Oh that blows, do you want to grab lunch with me? Might as well make something of the day."

  "Sounds good. I can be there in five,"

  "Perfect. Pick me up by the SLC,"

  Derek waited a few more minutes, hope dwindling with every passing second. He sent off one final message to the no-show landlord and headed towards the university.

  "Can you believe that?" Derek said as soon as he saw Marcy approaching. "I mean, why set up an appointment if you're not going to show?"

  Marcy shrugged as she slipped into the passenger seat. "Landlords around here don't seem to care much about us students. Happened to a couple of my friends too."

  "Great," Derek scoffed. "Just great."

  They entered the pizzeria, the scent of melted cheese and garlic met them at the door. The young teen at the register smiled and treated them s they approached the counter.

  "Thanks, by the way," Derek said once they ordered, nodding to Marcy. "For taking me to lunch."

  "Of course," she smiled. "I have to take advantage when you are in the city, even if it's because you got stood up by some weird landlord."

  "Yeah, sucks it didn't work out," he grabbed their slices as they moved to the picnic tables out front.

  "It doesn't matter too much, we'll find a place eventually. I'm just excited to be rooming with you."

  "Me too" Derek smiled taking a seat next to her.

  "So we'll just keep looking," Marcy smiled. "I actually saw a few places I want to show you, one even has pool access."

  "You're right, I need to stop worrying. I know we'll find a place, and we'll be together next year," Derek paused, as a thought crossed his mind.

  "What's up?" Marcy asked, catching the look.

  "Well, we'll all be here but Rodney," Derek started, trying to explain the weird sense of worry he had. "I mean will he be ok with you and me gone? This year was rough and he really scared me. What if something like that happens again,"

  "Derek, Rodney will be fine. He has a ton of support, not just from us but from actual professionals," Marcy took his hand, giving it a squeeze.

  "Right, and I know that but sometimes... logic doesn't always win out you know?" Derek looked over at her, hoping she somehow understood what he was trying to say. She leaned over and kissed him, a light reassuring kiss, before pulling back.

  "I know what you mean, there are days it takes everything I have to stay here," Marcy said, looking into his eyes. "It's scary, but we have to believe he'll keep getting better."

  "Right," Derek nodded. "And next time you get that feeling, you can always talk to me about it."

  "I will, and you can talk to me too when you get worried. We can worry together." She placed her head on his shoulder and the two enjoyed their now cold pizza together.

  ---

  The frosty air nipped at Rodney's cheeks as he and Hunter made out in Hunter's car. "Seriously, we're gonna miss the free skate," Rodney said as he looked back at the arena, his breath visible in the cold.

  "Okay, okay," Hunter chuckled, pressing his lips against Rodney's one last time before swinging the car door open. "Race you to the rink!"

  Rodney shook his head, Hunter was already at the doors before he opened his. Inside, they laced up their skates side by side in comfortable silence.

  "So did you end up getting that car running?" Hunter asked as they stepped onto the ice, following the flow of skaters.

  "No, but it was still fun," Rodney replied, thinking back to the weekend. "Honestly I think they might be a few years away from actually getting it to run. But I am excited that I might get to drive it."

  Hunter's smile was bright and genuine. "That's awesome, man." He hesitated for a heartbeat before adding, "You know, my parents might be heading out to Cuba next week. Maybe you should come keep me company while they're gone?"

  "Really?" Rodney's mind floated back to the shirtless pic Hunter had sent him, excitement coursing through his body. "That sounds like fun,"

  As Rodney reached out to intertwine their fingers, Hunter's hand snapped away, retreating into the warmth of his jacket pockets. "Sorry my hands are just freezing," Hunter said, offering Rodney a shrug.

  Rodney's smile faltered; memories of having to hide with Parker flooded back to him. He wrestled with himself, reasoning that Hunter was telling the truth. 'His hands are just cold,' he told himself, even as doubt gnawed at him.

  ---

  At the start of the second semester, Rodney found himself back in Mr. Rogo's office. "Mr. Rogo?" Rodney hovered in the doorway, his knuckles white from clutching his backpack straps.

  "Come in, Rodney." Mr. Rogo gestured to the chair across from his desk. "How are you feeling about this semester,"

  "Yeah, most of this semester is science and I actually love science, plus I am excited to try vocal music this year," But Rodney didn't sound very excited, sinking into the seat. "But there is one thing I am kind of worried about. I want to tell you but you can't tell anyone ok?"

  "Of course," Mr. Rogo smiled warmly, leaning back in his chair. "Anything you say here is just between you and me,"

  Rodney exhaled, the words tumbling out. "Ok so I like someone, who is a guy," Rodney paused, waiting for Mr. Rogo's reaction, but his expression never changed. "Well yesterday, I tried to hold his hand, and he just... pulled away. It made me feel..." He trailed off, unsure how to articulate his feelings.

  "Is this friend out?" Mr. Rogo's tone was gentle, probing without pushing.

  Rodney shook his head. "I don't think so. It's just that I've had a boyfriend before and I felt trapped because I couldn't even tell my friends about it. What if that happens again?"

  "Rodney, every person is different and so is every relationship," Mr. Rogo advised. "I suggest you talk to him about your concerns. Communication is very important, you might find he is more open than you think."

  "I guess so," Rodney said, looking down at his shoes. "I'll talk to him,"

  "Sounds good, Rodney." Mr. Rogo smiled, "And if you need to talk to me after, you know my door is always open."

  "Thanks, Mr. Rogo," Rodney nodded, standing up, he took a deep breath before stepping out into the hallway.