Doughnuts. Their ever-so-delicious smell escaped the pretty pink box in Ashlee's hand, besieging her mind until they were all she could think about. Two vanilla iced doughnuts, one chocolate one plain, covered in rainbow sprinkles. Plus a multi-grain bagel for Brie. Ashlee really hoped she wouldn't board the anti-sugar train during her senior year. Who could live without doughnuts?

On her way back to her apartment, she stopped by the mailboxes just as Jared walked over. He greeted her with a sleepy smile. "After you."

She returned the smile, toning it down a little even though his caliber of cute urged a full beam. She unlocked her mailbox and collected a handful of mail. Mainly bills, and one call to feed the homeless for the holidays. She thought about sending them doughnuts too. A bag of melt in your mouth desserts would cheer anyone up, especially the festive ones. At least in her mind.

Jared opened his mailbox and a present sat inside. A medium sized box wrapped in shimmery blue and silver paper. As he brought it out, Ashlee noticed the sore look on his face.

"Is it your birthday?" She spotted the card attached to the top. "It is your birthday. Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks, but it's not a big deal. Really." Jared pinned the gift under his arm and scooped up the rest of his mail. "Later." He walked away with a weight on his shoulder, dragging his feet. Why would a perfectly nice looking gift cause his mood to skydive?

So there won't be a party then? Ashlee thought.

***

Brie entered the lobby on her way to the library when she saw Simon across the room. She stopped abruptly and their eyes locked. Instead of coming over to talk, he kept going, headed for the Seedlings gift shop. Not even a hello. She thought she meant something to him, but he was treating her like a stranger. As if they never knew each other. Could she blame him? After the way she locked him away like a secret diary only to acknowledge him when it was safe for her eyes only, she was surprised he stuck around at all.

"Hey, are you okay? You look worried." Ashlee appeared in front of her, concern on her face.

Brie could have exposed her and Simon's secret relationship right then, fast forwarded past Ashlee's barrel of shooting questions, and cry on her shoulder, but it would be pointless. There was nothing left to talk about. They were through. She put on a smile, once again shoving her secrets beneath it like a rug. "It's midterm season. When am I not worried? Thanks." She took her breakfast.

"Well, when you need a break you know where to find me." Ashlee cheerfully shook her small box of doughnuts and the aroma scented the air as she walked away.

Brie's stomach rumbled but she fought against it. They looked good now, but the aftermath would bite back later. She peeked in the bag just to make sure Ashlee hadn't slipped her any, only slightly disappointed to see she hadn't. She looked back over at Seedlings. No clue why. Simon wasn't coming back out for her. Most likely, he wasn't coming back for her at all.

***

Thanks for reading! 

-Love Charly