Lunch was quick. There was no point sitting there when it was so packed and loud. Especially with a stranger in front of you, face down in their phone, the two of them playing the game of bouncing eyeballs: the goal not to ever make eye contact for more than half a second.

He made it back to his room without running into anyone. He left the door open and sat there hoping someone might walk by. But his floor was emptier and quieter than usual. He thought about laying in bed but then he would have to close the door. it would be awkward to have his door open while he laid in his bed.

He got up to walk around the hall. Not a single door open. Strange. He walked up and down. Went to the community bathroom. Tried to take a piss but couldn't. Nobody was there. Not in the shower. Not in the sink. Strange. He finally washed his hands went back out and walked as slowly as possible to his room in the corner by the south east stairwell.