Page 57 of Ruthless Court

“Yes.”

“That’s one of the most requested dorms.”

“Then someone should be thrilled to trade.”

He turns the monitor slightly, as if a new angle might create a vacancy.

“Your placement is tied to the freshman residential program. Moving you could affect your assigned cohort.”

“My assigned cohort thinks romantic gossip qualifies as a core curriculum.”

“That isn’t a housing violation.”

“Neither is bad taste. Yet here we are.”

His mouth twitches.

He types another note.

“I can mark the request urgent.”

“What qualifies it as urgent?”

“Documented conflict, safety concern, medical accommodation.”

“What about severe exposure to athletes?”

“No.”

“Basketball specifically?”

“Still no.”

I look through the glass doors toward the quad.

A group of football players crosses the courtyard. Two girls hurry after them, laughing too loudly at something that wasn’t funny.

“Put me anywhere quiet.”

“I’ll add that.”

“And far from Cypress.”

“I can’t promise.”

“Try.”

He nods and returns my card.

I step outside.

The afternoon sun warms the stone path. Palm fronds shift overhead. Somewhere beyond the dorms, a whistle cuts through the air, followed by the steady thump of a basketball.

My shoulders tighten.

A month ago, the sound belonged to another life.

Now it follows me across campus.