The Laptop Trap

Caleb Reed's tears froze in his eyes as he stared at me in disbelief.

"Noah, how can you be so cold? The computer lab closes at ten, and I have to turn in my first draft tomorrow morning!"

He reached for my sleeve. I stepped aside.

Tyler Cross, who was gaming beside us, looked at me with open disapproval.

"Noah, you're going too far. We're roommates. Would lending him a computer kill you? Caleb's desperate.

"Your Alienware cost more than three grand. It's just sitting there. What's wrong with letting him use it for an emergency? Why are you so selfish?"

I packed my books and water bottle, then pointed at his desk.

"There's a computer on your desk. You lend him yours."

Tyler rolled his eyes.

"Mine's a Mac. Caleb isn't used to the formatting software on it. Besides, I still have shows to watch tonight."

"So your shows matter more than his senior thesis, but you still think you get to demand my laptop?"

Caleb immediately put on a wounded expression.

"Noah, I know you're angry about the graduate recommendation slot, but that was the department's overall evaluation.

"You can't deliberately block me at a critical moment just because you didn't get picked. Are you trying to ruin my future?"

His voice was loud enough that a few students passing in the hallway stopped and leaned in to look.

Owen Pierce from the next room leaned against the doorframe, cracking sunflower seeds and enjoying the drama.

"Noah's really petty. Graduate slots are earned. Why take it out on someone by refusing to lend a laptop?"

Another guy sneered.

"Alienware is expensive. Maybe he just can't bear to part with it. The richer they act, the stingier they are."

I slung my canvas bag over my shoulder and gave a cold laugh.

"You know exactly how you got that recommendation, Caleb. Don't force me to expose it here."

Caleb's face shifted. His fingers twisted tightly in the hem of his shirt, but he quickly straightened and acted righteous again.

"Stop slandering me. I win scholarships every year. Why wouldn't I deserve a graduate slot?"

"Fine. If you deserve it, use your scholarship money to buy your own computer. Stop clinging to me."

I pushed past the boys blocking the doorway and walked out.

Behind me, Caleb stamped his foot and shouted, "Noah, if you walk out today, our three years as roommates are over!"

"Then they're over. You think I care?"

I didn't look back. I shut the dorm room door behind me.

By the time I got downstairs, my phone kept buzzing. The class chat already had hundreds of messages.

Caleb had gone into the chat for help. Every line implied that I was refusing to lend him my computer right before his thesis deadline because I was jealous of his graduate slot.

Tyler sent three angry stickers and tagged the entire class to judge me.

"He always looked so honest. I didn't expect him to be this dark inside, unable to stand anyone else doing well."