He ordered before leaving the cafe a double espresso. It was about 3pm and sunny. It was crisp and bright. 

"Do you want it in a to go mug?"

"No, no I'll just drink it here."

The barista put it in a big cup, didn't have one for an espresso. Howard had...

The cafe was also empty. He ordered a mocha again and sat by the window. But now it felt less like a spot unobtainable, and more like it was his office. It was expecting him as much as he was expecting it. 

He was the only one in the cafe...

He hadn't notice how sweaty. He was. 

"Wait, fuck my money."

Spencer and Mike heard him and laughed. 

"We're not going back there."

"Not tonight."

"But the pizza?"

"Bro I got you."

Mike and Spencer sort of engulfed Howard, into their pair. The three of them walked down Grand River liked they owned it. Granted...

Howard had a twenty in his wallet. Didn't know why, just a habit of keeping it since living at home. His dad always told him "cash is king" or "What if your little card gets declined? I always know how much I have."

The table was a weird conglomerate of people,...

There was a sort of gravity the room had. Like all the events of night were circling around it. Different layers could be different nights. One taking shots, and playing beer pong,  or another deeper level smoking cigars and sipping whiskey. 

But here he had by passed all that, he...

"Yeah I got the cure for ails you." 

"Okay great, then you'll let me in."

"Not without the password bud."

"But I'm friends with Mike."

"I don't see a Mike around."

There was a long line in the front of the house so he tried to go around the back. Now he was being...

He had to shower in the communal bathroom. It wasn't full, but some international students that couldn't go home. They were also getting ready to go out. Probably to something more fun. Not that he had decided if he'd go out. He checked his phone he kept in his plastic...

“Thanksgiving Break Bonanza”

Was all the text said, it looked like it was forwarded. Then the rest came.

“We’re teaming up with Alpha Phi, to throw the biggest night during the break than we’ve ever done before. Starts at 10 BYOB and no minors. Kappa Pi”

Then there was another message.

“Yooo you back...

"You eating anything on turkey day."

He started typing, and then erased it.

"hows the turkey."

He again wrote and then deleted. 

"Howz it going?"

For some reason or another he stuck with that one. He liked it plain and simple balls in her court he thought. 
He thought about saying something about the...

He got back to the dorm. Scanning in the back door, he wanted nothing more than to go straight to his room. There were times where a night like this would mean a few tall boys and a good time. 

But tonight he just wanted to be alone. 

The hallway...