Rosalie shook out the umbrella in the foyer of the dining hall. The girls hung their coats and grabbed trays for their food. Once all three selected their meals, they searched the crowded hall for Joshua and Marshall.

"Over there," said Rosalie, pointing toward a circular table by the windows. Ivory waved as they approached, Joshua waving back.

"Finally!" exclaimed Marshall as Rosalie slid into the seat next to him. Vienna sat between her and Joshua, Ivory taking up the last seat between the two guys.

"We thought you three might've gotten lost in this storm," joked Joshua.

"Ro kept stopping to talk to people," teased Vienna, nudging her friend's shoulder.

"What can I say?" asked Rosalie, grinning. "I'm a people person."

"Yeah, we noticed," said Marshall. "But I love you anyway."

He leaned over to kiss the curly-haired girl on the cheek.

Ivory pretended to gag. "Ugh, I hate fifth-wheeling with you guys."

"You're not fifth-wheeling, Ivory," said Joshua. "You're part of the group too."

"Yeah, Ivy," said Rosalie. "You'll find someone eventually. Maybe that can be V and I's semester charity work."

Vienna laughed. "Good one, Ro." Ivory looked less than amused at the girls' jokes, but she cracked a smile anyway.

"Anyway, how was everyone's break? Enna already told me a bit, but I want to hear about the ski trip," said Joshua, swiftly changing the subject.

"It was so much fun!" said Rosalie. "It wasn't the same without you two though."

"Of course it wasn't" joked Joshua. "But I'm glad you all had fun. Vienna told me all about how you nearly wiped out on the practice slope, Rosalie."

Vienna frowned. She hadn't remembered telling Joshua about that particular event, but she must have. She shook off her confusion and tuned back into the conversation.

Rosalie gasped in response to Joshua's claim. "That was one time! And I didn't even fall!"

Vienna laughed, taking a sip of her water. "To be fair, it was pretty impressive. I thought you were going down for sure."

"Traitor," muttered Rosalie, but the warm smile on her face didn't match the tone of her voice.

Ivory, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally chimed in. "So, how was everyone's first morning back? Adjusting to the spring semester yet?"

"Barely," said Marshall. "I forgot how brutal morning classes are."

"You said that last semester," said Rosalie, rolling her eyes.

"Well, it's still true," Marshall shot back, making the other four laugh.

"What about you three," asked Joshua, addressing the girls. "How's physics treating you so far?"

Vienna groaned, dramatically leaning her head against her boyfriend's shoulder. "Don't even get me started. I spent most of the class trying to figure out what the professor was even talking about."

"At least we're in it together," said Rosalie. "We've got this, right?"

"Sure," said Vienna sarcastically, raising her glass in a mock toast.

Ivory smiled faintly but didn't contribute to the conversation. Vienna wanted to ask what was wrong, but she also didn't want to call out her roommate in front fo all of their friends. She noticed Joshua glance over at Ivory, his expression unreadable.

Joshua turned his attention back to Vienna, brushing her dark red hair over her shoulder. "You'll figure it out, Enna," he said softly. "You're smart, and you've got Ivory and Rosalie. A dream team, if you ask me."

"Exactly," said Rosalie with a confident nod.

Vienna smiled at Joshua, leaning into his touch. "Thanks, Josh. That actually helps a little."

Joshua gave her a quick kiss on the temple, and beside them, Ivory's fork clinked against her plate. She looked up quickly, forcing a small smile. "Whoops. Anyway, Marshall, what's on your schedule this semester?"

As Marshall launched into a discussion about one of his history classes, Vienna turned her attention to her lunch. Joshua's arm stayed draped over the back of her chair, and he chimed in with the occasional joke or comment. But Vienna could shake the slight tension she felt at the table, though she couldn't tell what was wrong.

The girls shared a laugh over a joke Rosalie made at her boyfriend's expense, and Joshua's hand brushed briefly against Vienna's shoulder. She smiled at him, and he returned it, but it felt slightly off.

"Are you okay?" whispered Vienna.

Joshua nodded. "Just tired, first day back, you know?"

"I get it," said Vienna, resting her hand on his leg. "You'd tell me if something was going on, right?"

"Of course, babe," said Joshua.

When lunch began t owind down, Rosalie nudged Veinna. "Where are you off to next? I don't have class so I'm going to work on that physics homework. You're welcome to join me."

Vienna sighed. "I wish I could, Ro, but I have physiology after this."

Rosalie frowned. "Do you want me to wait to do the homework? We can work on it together."

Vienna shook her head. "No need. I can do it by myself later, it can't be that hard."

"I guess you have that genius of a lab partner who could always help you," said Rosalie.

Vienna's mind drifted to Pepe. She had almost forgotten about him already. She made a mental note to reach out to him, maybe they could study together later so she could get some help.

As the friend group gathered their dishes and stood to leave, Vienna reached for Joshua's hand. He squeezed hers lightly, but his attention seemed divided.

"Ready to head out?" he asked her, his tone casual.

"Yep," said Vienna, smiling up at him.

"Are you going back to the science building?" Ivory asked Vienna.

"Yeah, I've got phys," said Vienna.

"I have chemistry," said Ivory. "Josh, you should walk us there."

"It's okay if you don't-" began Vienna.

"No, it's perfectly fine," said Joshua. "I have time before econ."

He was right, he did have time. But Vienna knew how particular Joshua was about arriving to class on time. Maybe he was trying to be more laid back this semester. Or maybe he was just trying to be nice to the girls. Vienna didn't know, but something about his behavior was more than a little off.