Regret Came Too Late

The man's shoulders trembled with anger, and his eyes welled up with tears, but he couldn't get a single word out in response.

The others quickly tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to drop it.

Grace simply pushed open the door and walked right in.

She saw that Jasper had already sat up. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked unwell.

Grace filled a glass with water, offered it to his lips, and placed the fever medication within his reach.

"Hurry up and take this. Your health is more important," she said.

But Jasper's eyes were fixed on his roommates.

The roommates all looked uncomfortable, knowing he'd heard their spat with Grace outside.

But they weren't usually friendly with Jasper-barely exchanging a few words with him all year-so their awkwardness only lasted a few seconds before they resumed their individual activities.

Grace seemed totally unaware of the weird vibe in the room. Once Jasper swallowed the pills, she seemed relieved.

"Jasper, have you thought about getting an apartment off-campus?"

his voice quiet as he asked, "Are you seriously trying to make

amused. The kid was

deny it, will they really think any

heavily as if he wanted to argue, but he

other for a few beats, a little taken

repeated, "Or you could even rent something on campus. I asked at the infirmary; there are a few residential buildings there that are close to your classes,

One of them

we're still in the room,

however, had already begun to gather

didn't even have time

roommates, he even did his laundry

had his things packed in under ten minutes. "Ready?" she asked Jasper just stared at her, not knowing what to

in took less than half an hour. The lady renting the place took onedook at Grace and was sold; the two

silently made his bed on the side, listening to Grace chatting

broom and started cleaning

was done sweeping, she took the

the bed rang. Thinking