Devin sat in his worn, slate-gray sweater, tugging in turn his unkempt chin hair and his gray beanie. Eventually, he said, “Yeah, what's up, Jesse. Been a while. Fred, did you get the trucks for my board?”

“Oh, yeah, don't worry. They're still in the van,” Frederick said.

A small part of Jesse was sad to see Devin finally wearing something other than his black No Sleep Records pullover hoodie. It felt like a breach of character. He had to remind himself that in the several months since last he had hung out with Devin, Devin had joined the workforce as a welder. His aesthetic was liable to change.

The three took up their respective positions about the TV and Frederick distributed a can and a controller to each person. Devin wasted no time opening his.

“So, what's going on, Jesse?” Frederick asked. He remained characteristically to the point. “You didn't talk much on the way over. Rick seemed pretty pissed off at you when I snagged you. I gotta admit that has me curious.”

“It's nothing. He's just insecure that he doesn't have any say in what I do,” Jesse said. “But Rick's boring. Tell me what's new around here. How's good ol' North Idaho College treating you guys?”

“It's whatever. Just a few finals to worry about this semester,” Frederick said. “Not even gonna show up for Calc, honestly.” He looked at Devin. “We've been searching around for a third roomie to join the fun this next semester since Sable's raising the rent on us.”

Devin was slouched down so far that his beanie had been pulled off by the back of the couch. His spiky brown hair shined with gel. He cut into the conversation under his breath. “Wouldn't have to worry about it if Jesse'd stuck to the plan,” he said.

Jesse couldn't believe it. He ran a hand through his own oily, black hair. “Devin, lighten up, dude,” he said. “I've admitted I regret it, okay?”

Jesse couldn't help but notice how Frederick kept looking at him. He felt a palpable concern in Frederick's arched blond brows and in the way he kept almost opening his mouth to speak.

Jesse tried to ease the tension in his chest before continuing. “I'm not apologizing again for going to UW. Honestly, Devin, there's barely even a Biology department here. Fuck, whatever. It doesn't even matter now.” Jesse took a deep breath. “I dropped out. Had enough of college. I'm back in town for good.”