“So, if Stats required less classes to transfer what was the point of learning Calculus in Ms. Martin’s class?”

Cairo examines the row of high-end watches locked behind glass cases as the security clerk eyes them suspiciously.  

“Different colleges have different requirements,” Layla replies with a bit of tiredness in her voice.  She had explained this exact same answer to him and the rest of her friends’ multiple times already. “I’m an English major.  The school I wanted in only needed me to complete up to a certain level of math, and Statistics was the quickest way to do it.”

“I still don’t get it.”

Layla sighs as she refits a set of clothing back on the hanger and places it  onto the metal bars.

Cairo silently chuckles as he sees the frustration well up in his friend’s expression.

“You just look up the list of requirements the school wants you to complete and do them.”

“Huh?”

Layla smacks her cheeks with both her hands in exaggeration.

“Calculus is important that’s why Ms. Martin taught it.”

“But you just said-” Cairo playfully begins.

“Cairo!” Layla yells, unable to handle it.

“Hun, Cairo’s just messing with you.” Avery consoles as she comes out of the changing room, “See? look at that bastard smirk.”

Cairo bursts out laughing as Layla realizes that he was feigning ignorance. He notices the mild irritated look on her face, which seems to say, “I regret coming back”.

“Smile Layla it was a joke,” Cairo tries to console, “Smile~”

“We’re not friends anymore.”

Cairo stops in his track.  The sudden icy tone coming out of Layla’s mouth seemed so foreign, so alien, almost as if the voice didn’t even belong to her. Even Avery, who was so committed at browsing through the vast collection of clothing, pauses in shock.

Layla notices the atmosphere and gives a beaming smile.  

Cairo automatically reverses back into his cheerful self too, oblivious to the realness of the seriousness and Avery’s silence.

“How have the rest of the guys been doing?” Layla asks changing the subject.  

Cairo’s face instantly drops. Avery also silently beckons the staff to start packing the items she wanted.

Layla notices the change of attitude and hesitantly starts asking, “Kai? Victoria? Twinkie? Jay?”

“Ricky?”

Cairo jerks his head at the mention of Ricky.

“You done choosing?” he inquires Avery.

“Yeah,” Avery monotonously replies, “Shoot me the card.”

Cairo peeks at the price tag of the cardigan Avery chose.

He looks dryly up at her and comments, “Isn’t that a little too expensive?”

“Cairo?” Avery exaggeratedly exclaims, “Are you breaking a promise?”

Cairo grudgingly reaches down into his pockets and pulls a wad of cash out for Avery, which she grabs, with zealous.

“I want the change back.”

Cairo returns his attention back to Layla and looks at her with a pained expression.

“You weren’t here,” he laments, “So you wouldn’t know.”

Cairo bites at his tongue and looks away for a moment to collect his emotions.

“You want to grab a bite in a second?” he says more of a statement than a question.

Layla nods with a worried and confused look on her face.

“There is something you should to know,” Cairo concludes, “For the five years you haven’t been around.”

“Okay.”