In the Air (The City Book 1) - By Crystal Serowka Page 0,28

as I did.

"You used to love that juvenile idea." I recalled a memory of the time that Aubrey and I went to Niagara Falls. We spent three days laughing, and taking pictures of everything in sight. We were blissfully content in each other's company. I was glad we had those pictures to remind us that there used to be good times.

Aubrey began sniffling into the phone. She was crying and I felt awful for being the one that caused her tears.

"I wish we could find our way back to how things used to be, Aubrey. I'm trying, but I feel like I'm failing every minute of the day."

"I have to go. I have to get ready, and explain to my family why you won't be there."

I could hear the pain in her voice, but I was tired of arguing with her and I knew the battle inside of her was waning. Our love for each other seemed as if it had slammed into a brick wall, ultimately leaving our relationship in shambles.

"Since I'll still be in town tomorrow morning, we should meet for coffee and discuss our relationship."

"I think that's a good idea. We need to figure some things out," I said. I looked at my watch and noticed that it was already 8 P.M. Remembering that Natalia said she would be at the venue early, I wrapped up my phone call. "Have fun tonight, Aubrey." I hung up the phone, aware that neither of us said the words 'I love you.' We hadn't exchanged those words in weeks. My relationship was on thin ice and I didn't know if I wanted to save it. Two years ago, I would have done anything to salvage it, but now, I questioned if it was worth it at all.

I hurried back to my dorm and my roommate, Myers was sitting at his desk, working on his computer. "Hey, Myers. Crazy seeing you here."

Since I'd moved in, he'd been like a ghost, disappearing every time I came appeared. Myers' side of the room was bare, with only his bedding and books out on display. Since he was never there, we'd never had a chance to really talk. It was weird rooming with someone I didn't know a thing about aside from his first and last name.

Myers didn't look like an eighteen year old. This guy looked like he was at least thirty. I was almost positive he somehow cheated the system and lied about his age. The first thing I noticed about him was his beard. In Connecticut, everyone was always clean-shaven. Here in New York, in the course of a block, you'd count at least ten guys with extreme beards. Myers black hair was styled like Fonzie, and he had a ton of tattoos: a huge black and white koi fish on his lower left arm, and his entire right arm was covered in ink. On one calf, he had a ship, and on the other, a lighthouse. I'm sure there were more. As Wren informed me, once you get one, it's hard to stop. The only thing I really knew about Myers was that he was here for music, majoring in the upright bass. If he didn't seem like such a reclusive person, I might have tried to get to know him better. I had a feeling he was just as pissed as I was when finding out it was a requirement to live in the dorms your first year.

"Yeah, I was just heading out actually. I've got a thing." Myers response was lacking, almost like he was hiding something.

"I was just getting changed and heading to Mercury Lounge. If you want to come, I'm –"

He cut me off before I could finish with my invitation. "No, thanks." He grabbed his bag from the ground and walked to the door. "Have a good one," he said, closing the door on his way out.

I was left wondering what kind of weirdo I was stuck living with. I quickly threw on a pair of jeans, a button up, tie, and a cardigan. I didn't know what type of place I was going to, but I was sure what I had picked to wear was fine. As I walked outside to catch a cab, I realized that I'd be meeting Natalia there alone. This would definitely look like we were on a date. We agreed to be friends. To avoid any confusion, I called Wren to see if he wanted to join me. It