Rebecca and Mike sit on the couch, squishing me in the middle. Lex lounges on the floor with his head leaned against Rebecca's leg. Even though I know I shouldn't be, I feel annoyed that he's leaning against her leg. It makes me wonder things, like if they're interested in each other. I shake my head—I've never been the jealous type, especially when I'm not dating the guy.

"You guys want to watch a movie?" asks Rebecca after a long pause. "I have Netflix."

"Or we could go to Eric's," says Mike, as if it's the obvious choice. "He's having some people over for beer pong."

"Wow, beer pong, how exciting," says Rebecca, leaning forward to roll her eyes at Mike.

"Like you don't play beer pong," says Lex with a laugh.

Rebecca jerks up her leg, knocking Lex in the back of the head with her knee. As he scowls, Rebecca sends me an apologetic smile. I recognize the look. It says: I'm tiptoeing around you because I think you're emotionally unstable.

"You guys should go," I say. "Parties aren't really my thing, but it sounds fun. I need to catch up on some studying anyway."

"Studying?" repeats Mike. He arches an eyebrow and sends an incredulous look over my shoulder. When I glance back, I see Rebecca sending him a nasty glare.

"We're not leaving you after that jerk just made you cry," says Rebecca. She awkwardly pats my shoulder. "But I can make the boys leave if you want."

She says this as if they're not here, listening to everything she says.

"No really, I'm fine," I say. "That's just my ex-boyfriend, being a prick as usual. I promise, I'm okay."

Mike lets out an aggravated sigh. He drops his head against the couch, oblivious to our stares.

"Fine, just go get your computer," he says without looking up. "And make it a comedy, Becks."

Rebecca bobs her head once and jumps up from the couch. For a moment, Lex's eyes meet with mine, and it takes all my effort to look away. I can feel his gaze lingering on my face, and I can't help but blush. Lex is too handsome for his own good, especially those eyes. How am I supposed to resist them? Not that they're interested in me, anyway.

"How about Ugly Stepsister?" asks Rebecca.

It's a title I've never heard, but Mike instantly demands that she play it. According to him, it's the funniest move that's ever been created in the history of ever. Unquote.

"Any chance you have popcorn?" asks Lex as we settle into our places. He leans up to flick off the light.

Rebecca shushes him, and soon, the movie is played on the tiny screen. I shift slightly between Rebecca and Mike. The couch is far too small for the three of us, but I seem to be the only one bothered. I turn sideways slightly, but then I'm facing Mike instead of the screen. When I face forward again, I see Lex with his head angled forward, just staring at me. I force myself to sit still, trying not to think about this obvious pity party.

The movie blurs by for an hour. My thoughts are mostly stolen by embarrassment and anxiety. Embarrassment because Mike keeps muttering about beer pong and anxiety because Wes honestly believes I chose to have anorexia. What if he's right?

When a girl with bulimia comes onto the screen, I finally snap to attention. As the scene plays, a stereotypical cheerleader goes into the bathroom to make herself puke. And somehow, the show makes this seem hilarious. The two main girls out her secret, and everyone in the movie laughs. Outside the movie, Mike nearly folds in half from laughing so hard. Rebecca laughs too, but it doesn't hurt as bad as Lex's soft snickering. To them, it's all a joke. It's funny.

"I need to go to the bathroom," I croak.

I hurry to my feet and stumble over Lex's outstretched leg.

"Are you okay?" asks Rebecca. She leans forward slightly, arm outstretched. "Need me to come with you?"

"No no, I'm fine," I say, waving my hands as I step toward the door. "Don't pause the movie. I'll be back in a second."

I fling open the door and then rest my back on the other side. Mike's laughter follows me until I scoot my way down the hall. Some of the girls' doors are open to their living area, but I can't see anyone. I take two deep breaths, practicing calm thoughts, like my therapist taught me.

"Are you okay?"

I jump and stiffen against the wall. Lex stands just outside my door, a few dorms down the hall. He slowly walks toward me, approaching as if I'm a skittish cat. Part of me wants to run away, hide in the girls' bathroom where he can't get me. But then, I worry he'll tell Rebecca my secret.

"I'm fine, Lex," I say shortly. "I said I was fine. I just have to go to the bathroom."

"Then why are out here?" He gestures to the barren hallway before looking back at me.

"I was just—"

Lex's hand curls around my wrist, so gentle I can barely feel it. I could shake free if I wanted, but I don't. I stare at his hand, enjoying the warmth that spreads across my skin.

When Lex doesn't say anything, I look up from his hand to his eyes.

"Do you know why I was in the hospital?" I ask.

Lex's hand lingers on my wrist for another moment before it falls back to his side.

"No," he says. He licks his lips and his eyes fall away from mine. "You're not dying are you?"

I run a hand through my hair, briefly wondering what he thinks of it. He probably likes it better long—most guys do.

"Not at the moment," I say uneasily.

Lex's eyebrows scrunch together, but he is silent, worried. And if he's anything like Wes, he's ready to run.

"I have a lot of mental problems," I say finally, cringing when I do. "Depression, anxiety, anorexia. You name it."

Lex doesn't laugh at my joke. His face crumbles slightly, like he's about to cry. I wonder if it's because he liked me. Maybe he had wanted to go out with me before he knew.

"I'm sorry," he says. "That must be really awful. And the movie—Addie, I'm really sorry."

"It's okay," I say. "I'm getting better every day." But even as I say it, I'm not sure that's the truth.

"You can tell people, you know?" he asks. "You don't need to feel embarrassed about that."

"I'm not embarrassed," I say, my cheeks burning.

"Then why don't you want people to know?"

I look desperately toward my dorm room. Rebecca and Mike are probably talking about me, about how crazy and annoying I am.

"Addie?" he asks.

"I don't know," I say finally. "Even you laughed at the bulimic girl. I don't want people making fun of me. Okay?"

"I'm sorry," says Lex, his voice dropping low. "That was stupid. If I had known—I shouldn't have laughed either way. Do you forgive me?"

When he says that, I can't help but smile. A little giggle even escapes my lips.

"You're awfully polite," I say.

"I'm being serious," says Lex, even though he smiles too. "I don't want the new girl to hate me."

"I don't hate you," I say, and then flinch when I think back to Wes's question. Do you hate me?

"Good," says Lex with a content smile. "'Cause I have a feeling the four of us will have a great year."

Even though I know better than to get my hopes up, I can't help but hope Lex is right. And maybe it will be a great year, if only I don't scare everyone away.