真心半解--同人文(7)

figure out what you want to do and what you want your life to look like. Just like getting good at
football, it takes practice. It's scary at first.”
The sudden, hot rush of tears startles her, and she has to swallow hard before responding.
“You're right.”
“I know I am.”
“Don't let it go to your head. You still almost killed my dad today.”
When he starts again with the vehement protests and apologies, she smiles and settles in.
It's much, much later before she starts preparing for bed. Her roommate Laurel, a born-and-raised Iowan, seems nice enough. Her parents have been in and out all evening, bringing a seemingly endless stream of things for her side of the room. Ellie can't fathom where she's going to fill all of this stuff, but tries not to stare as her parents set up the mini-fridge, microwave, toaster, fan, and space heater. She feels, suddenly, starkly, lonelier than she had since leaving Squahamish. Her few

belongings look even smaller in comparison to Laurel's thick duvet and plush rugs. For some
reason, this is when she finally messages Aster back.