No sooner had Vic slid over to Marcia’s side, the space that he had previously occupied was taken up by Devi, another Dampgate student who sat next to Vic in math class.

“Hey how’s it going?” Devi asked with a light smile, getting so close to Vic that he was very aware of her thigh pressed up against his. She was dressed all in black, with high heels affixed with multiple thin straps to her feet, a tight-fitting skirt and a long-sleeved shirt cropped so high, he could see her whole belly and navel.

“Good I guess, umm, music’s pretty good.”

“It’s alright. How’d you find your first week?”

Vic could feel Marcia watching their interaction, which didn’t make it go any easier for him.

“It’s not bad,” Vic finally answered after shaking off the feeling of Marcia’s eyes on him; a brilliant conversationalist, as always.

“Yeah, Dampgate’s wild, isn’t it?” Devi asked, leaning with her arms onto the table and looking out over the Thousand Soaks dining room.

“That’s one way of putting it,” Vic said, and felt Devi lean her shoulder against his.

“You a dancer?” the brown-skinned girl asked looking him right in the eyes. She smelled sweetly of perfume and a little bit of sweat and there was something about him that was dancing but it would never be his legs.

“You know I’m not really much of a –” Vic was saved from concocting any more awkward excuses by the musician putting the music on pause and taking a break. “Maybe next time?”

Devi looked at him and Vic was sure that she didn’t believe him, but she shrugged and said, “Okay sounds good,” and then left their table.

Agnes, with her eyes on the guitar player who was taking off his instrument and setting it aside said, “That’s my cue.”

“You know he didn’t get any younger during that set,” Marcia said.

“I think you’re significantly overestimating how much your opinion has a sway over me,” Agnes said, making a move to get out from the table.

“It’s not about my opinion Nessie, I’m just looking out for you.”

“I’m a big girl, noted and ignored,” Agnes said without malice and then headed straight for the guitarist, while Marcia was left behind, smiling crookedly and shaking her head.

“Is she going to be okay?” Vic said.

“Agnes?” Marcia laughed. “She’ll be fine. I just like giving her a hard time. She’ll just flirt awkwardly, make out for a few minutes and maybe go down on him in the restroom.”

The brief look of shock on his face is what Marcia must’ve noticed before she burst out in another laugh. “Sorry, I’m just saying that’s how it is. She always talks a big talk and then never goes beyond that and never ends up …

“Having sex?” Vic suggested just as Marcia said, “Fucking.”

Marcia peered into his face and said, “Did you drink too many beers? You’re looking a little flushed?”

“I – I didn’t actually drink anything.” Maybe it would have been a good idea if he did. It may have at least made it possible to handle this forthrightness from Marcia.

“Really? I’ve had like … two? Sorry when I drink my mouth tends to just run away.”

“No, that’s fine, that’s fine.”

“What about her though? She was cute.”

“Who?”

“Devi.”

“Oh, right, right, but not as –” He was sure he was about to say it, but it was the intent stare at him that made him choke up and say. “Yeah, yeah, she was cute.”

“She’s nice, too,” Marcia suggested.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yup. I know it’s your first week but you shouldn’t be afraid to branch out more. Look at Liz and Agnes and especially Owen. We hang out, but you can hang loose with anyone here.”

“Do you – do you have a boyfriend?” Another question that would have likely been easier to say under the influence.

“Me? No, not at the moment. But you know, wouldn’t say no to any diversions. Why?”

There was some kind of logjam in his brain that made his tongue feel like it was ten sizes too big, so all he managed to say was, “No reason,” and that was the end of that conversation.