Chapter 16

Emma's POV

I've never ghosted anyone before. Last night I steeled myself to do it - to walk away from the bar while Austin was in the bathroom - I suddenly hated myself.

It is embarrassingly melodramatic to just run away while Austin was surrounded by angry women and bar securities.

The following morning, I rise early after a sleepless night of wandering painfully through my mortifyingly fresh memories of being with Austin last night.

After a sandwich outside the library, Ryan and I met, I explained that I felt uncomfortable last night and went home without telling him.

He gives me a big hug and says he's happy to see me again. Then we find out our class European History is about to start, so we climb the staircases and walk into the classroom.

The professor is Italian, he looks about forty, and he moves with a stick and a degree of awkwardness.

After we sit on the seats, Ryan turns his head and smiles at me, "I haven't officially introduced myself, I'm Ryan Fender."

"This is your pap