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nThe trio occupied their usual table in the university's café after a long day of classes. They just wanted to take the time to catch up, relax, and sip on something warm. It was still so cold outside.

nTheir laughter echoed throughout the small space as they reflected on Alyssa's birthday celebration.

n

"I hit you behind the head, and you went down,

" Zoe taunted Elias.

nAlyssa was smiling so much that her face was hurting. She was glad that her boyfriend and best friend got along well.

nIt made these hangouts that much more fun. She couldn't imagine how awkward it would be if they didn't get along.

n

"I think you're exaggerating a little. I literally just lost my balance. Right, Alyssa?

" Elias replied as he turned to her for support.

nAlyssa put her hands up innocently.

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"I'm not taking sides. You both had some wins and losses,

" she pointed out. It was pretty even. She had knocked them both down too. Zoe was definitely the most aggressive one.

nHer and Elias both tried strategic maneuvers. Sometimes they worked. Sometimes they didn't. It was hard to predict against concentrated rage.

n

"Traitor,

" Elias muttered before clicking his tongue at her.

"I'll remember that.

"

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"Pfft. What are you going to do?

" Alyssa smirked at him in a defiant manner. He could make threats all he wanted, but it was down to if he would actually do them or not. He was all talk and no bite.

n

"You'll see,

" Elias merely said, not giving her any hints.

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"He's probably going to spank you,

" Zoe whispered, making Elias laugh and Alyssa blush.

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"Alright, alright. Let's reel it in,

" Alyssa chastised them, trying not to laugh herself.

nHer phone then suddenly rang. She brought it closer to her so that she could read the caller ID. It was her mom.

nShe immediately put the call on silent. She was probably wanting more money to recover from blowing all of hers during the holiday.

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"You know, we should probably show some school spirit next year. Like see a football game or something,

" Zoe commented.

nElias wrinkled his nose slightly at that.

n

"Football games are kind of boring,

" he replied.

nZoe shrugged.

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"Most people leave during halftime,

" she replied.

nAlyssa knew where Zoe was coming from. College was basically their home during the year. She liked this place, but she wasn't all that involved.

nShe was so busy attending classes or doing homework that she didn't have much extra time to spare. She usually gave it to her friends.

n

"Maybe we can do a volunteer club or something,

" she suggested. She wanted to get involved, but she wanted to do it in a way that mattered.

n

"That's not a bad idea,

" Elias replied.

"But you have your research work. You're going to be swamped.

"

nAlyssa nodded, knowing he had a point. She was glad to be busy with that, though. She would be doing important work that could possibly help people in the future.

nShe would rather spend her time doing something important than going to a football game just to say that she went. She was getting to a point in her life where she really needed to prioritize her time.

n

"I'll figure something out,

" she said. Volunteering still sounded like fun whenever she had the chance to.

n

"I hope you still make time for little old me,

" Zoe teased her lightly.

nAlyssa nudged Zoe with her elbow.

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"Of course,

" she promised. She could never leave them behind. She believed that they had helped her get to this point by believing in her and supporting her.

nThey never left her side, and she would never leave theirs either. She hoped they would never have to, even in the far future.

nShe heard of college friends splitting apart as everyone went their separate ways after graduation.

nShe knew that was part of life. People faded apart, but she hoped that she got spend as much time with them as she possibly could. Maybe they would be one of the rare cases and always remain friends.

n

"Babe, your phone is ringing again,

" Elias told her. His eyes shifted to the screen to see the caller ID. A concerned look crossed his face.

nAlyssa waved her hand dismissively. She wished her mom would stop calling to bother her. She just didn't know how to take a hint.

nShe didn't understand how her mom could think that it was right to keep badgering her for money. She was their kid. They were supposed to provide for her, not the other way around.

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"It's nothing,

" she assured him, not wanting to make something out of nothing. She knew better than to feed into her parents' drama. Once she did, it took forever to detach herself. They always tried to suck her into their trouble, but she was gone.

nThey all got back to talking about their grades and possible plans for Spring Break. They all agreed that Miami sounded like fun. They all wanted to go to the beach and lay under the warm sun, to leave this place behind for a little while.

nAlyssa hoped they were able to actually put that plan into action. She knew it involved planning and money, but she loved planning things and could save up enough money for the trip by the time Spring Break arrived.

nAlyssa parted her lips to comment on something when her mom called her a third time. A third time. That was unheard of. Usually, her mom stopped after the second call.

nSomething told Alyssa to pick up the phone this time. She just didn't know what could be so important that would make her mom feel the need to call her three times.

nShe felt a sense of unease as she grabbed her phone and answered it. She brought it up to her ear as Zoe and Elias quieted down so that she could hear.

n

"Hello?

" she said. She heard silence at first, and then she heard her mom crying. She felt confused. Her mom hardly ever cried.

"What's going on?

"

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"Your dad…

"

nAlyssa narrowed her eyes as she listened to her mom break out into a sob, cutting herself off. She didn't know what was going on, but a heavy feeling started to settle in her chest.

nShe guessed that maybe her mom caught her dad cheating on her. They had fought over her dad checking out another woman before. It wouldn't be the craziest thing in the world.

n

"He died.

"

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