Just Stay Read Free Page A

in the open window. He pokes his head out, and his gaze immediately falls on Seb.
    "Hey!" he shouts, and that's enough for Seb to curse under his breath and start running, Evan already having a bit of a head start.
    They both run and run, and it's not until they've rounded the corner of the building and reached part of the green area that spreads across campus that they actually stop running. Seb nearly falls over from the exhaustion, leaning against a maple tree for support., and for shade, because it really is annoyingly hot outside.
    "Shit, man," Evan says, panting, leaning over with his hands on his knees. "Shit. That was close."
    Seb actually rolls his eyes.
    "Why does that sound familiar," he mutters, and Evan glances at him.
    "What?" he asks, but Seb just shakes his head.
    "Nothing," he says. "I'm just trying to catch my breath."
    He's leaning over now, too, his head spinning. It's so hot outside, and he has never been much of a runner, anyway. He doesn't even notice he's falling over until Evan catches him by the arm to keep him standing.
    "Whoa, dude," he says, and Seb blinks. "You okay?"
    "Yeah," Seb mutters, vaguely embarrassed. "It's just... really hot."
    "I hear ya," Evan says, releasing Seb when he's sure he can stand on his own, and shrugging out of his undoubtedly too warm leather jacket. He lets out a deep huff, before turning to Seb again, who is still leaning against the tree for support. "You sure you're okay?"
    Seb nods and straightens, uncomfortably aware of how his shirt is sticking slightly to his back, all of a sudden. He looks up at Evan, whose eyes are shining, despite his clear exhaustion, and forehead sweaty from the heat and exertion. He looks at Seb, and smiles.
    "Come on," he says, cocking his head. "I'll buy you a beer."
    Seb processes that for a moment, before frowning.
    "I've got class," he says, but Evan just shrugs.
    "So?" he says, and Seb just looks at him.
    "It's in the middle of the day," he tries instead, and Evan shrugs again. Seb looks at him for a while longer, and Evan finally exhales.
    "Fine, if you don't want a beer, I'll get you something else," he says, and Seb sighs, his breath finally evening out. That's not really the issue, he wants to say, but he refrains.
    "Why?" he asks instead, and Evan quirks a smile.
    "You kidding?" he says. "That's twice now you've helped me out. I owe you."
    Seb just keeps looking at him, unsure how to act.
    "You helped me," Evan repeats, clearly amused at Seb's reaction. "I appreciate that. Speaking of which."
    He holds out his hand and nods toward Seb's closed fist, and it takes a few moments before Seb realizes that he's still clutching whatever Evan handed to him earlier. He holds it out; it's a cell phone, and he puts it in Evan's hand. Evan gives him another nod.
    "Thanks," he says, pocketing it. "Now, come on."
    This time, Seb doesn't question it. Instead, he just forgets all about his lecture and goes along with Evan, and he has no idea why.
     
    An hour or so later, Seb and Evan are sitting in a pub on the edge of campus, by the bar. Evan stayed true to his word and bought Seb a beer, which Seb was actually in the mood for, even though he really doesn't drink that often, and they have both finished about half of their bottles by now.
    "So, wait," Evan says, holding a hand up. "You just basically study old stories and poetry?"
    Seb resists the urge to roll his eyes and sigh.
    "When you put it that way, it sounds lame," he says instead, taking a sip from his beer. "But I suppose that is one way to put it."
    Evan nods slowly.
    "Right," he says, mirroring Seb and lifting his own bottle to his lips, drinking from it. "Sounds way smarter than what I do, though."
    "And what do you do?"
    "Music."
    Seb feels his eyebrows rise in slight surprise. Then again, he's not sure why he would be surprised. What was he expecting Evan to be studying, anyway?
    "Really?" he says, and Evan nods.
    "Yeah," he says, looking down at his bottle and fiddling with label