When MJ, Sophie, and Claudia went to college, they were expecting the best four years of their lives. You’ll have a blast, they were told. You’ll make the greatest friends of your life. You’ll meet the men of your dreams.
They did have fun, and they did make friends, and they did meet men. But they also worked harder than they ever had in their lives. They found drama and pettiness where they expected laughter and understanding. They encountered jocks, jerks, nerds, and nitwits. The promises fell short.
Still, all three had serious boyfriends in college. MJ dated Chris for two years, before deciding he was too serious about their relationship and their future. She was looking for something more fun, less intense. She hopes she can find it in England.
Sophie realized that she could love her best guy friend, X, who had obviously adored her for years. They became closer and closer until soon they were almost one person. And maybe that was the problem: they shared the same space, the same words, the same air, and they suffocated each other. Now that they are broken up, they actually get along much better. Some people don’t notice the difference — they still seem like a couple — but Sophie and X notice. Because now they can breathe.
Claudia is considered the lucky one, at least in love. She and Eli have been together for over three years, and now they have a little house together, a puppy, a life. “You never have to sit in your room alone,” MJ emails one night as she’s banging her head against her biology textbook. “You don’t have to wait until after 9 pm to call someone so that it’s free,” Sophie says after X moves to the East Coast to pursue his PhD.
# # #
In England, MJ goes to “bops,” the British equivalent of frat parties. The guys smile at her, and she smiles back, and she drinks more alcohol in four weeks than she ever did in her four years of college. (Which still isn’t very much.) She gets along with everyone she meets, but she doesn’t really know anyone. Especially not guys.
Then, two in particular become interested: Ben, an archer from Finland who once competed in the Olympics, and Sam, whose name is actually Russian and very difficult to pronounce.
One night, all twenty international students decide to go see a movie together. They argue — jokingly — about which language they should watch it in. After finally agreeing on English, they buy their tickets and try to find a cluster of seats together. They are forced to split into two groups, and Ben and Sam both want to sit next to MJ. They argue — not jokingly.
“I drank a lot of soda, so I should probably sit in the aisle just in case,” Sam says. The aisle seat is next to MJ.
“Oh, but I forgot my contacts, so I need to sit closer to the screen,” Ben says. The rest of their group is four rows up.
They both look at MJ and smile. “Who do you think needs this seat more?” Sam asks.
MJ had always thought having two guys fighting over her would be fantastic, a thrill. Instead she’s irritated and embarrassed. They’ve put her on the spot. Plus the couple in the row behind them is glaring.
“You know what? Why don’t you two sit here, and I’ll take that last seat with the other group.” She hurries up the stairs before they can protest.
# # #
Meanwhile in the Midwest, the supposed lucky one is waiting anxiously for Eli to come home. Claudia has labored all day over her novel, but still she is not satisfied with the revisions to her manuscript. She’s hoping to relieve some stress with an ice cream outing.
Eli finally arrives home an hour late, his mouth in a tight line. He does not hug her or even say hello. He goes to his desk and fires up his laptop. “Let’s order in tonight. I have a lot of work to do.”
Claudia deflates instantly. With a sigh, she goes online to find the number of the closest pizza place. After they eat dinner in silence, with ESPN on in the background, she decides to mention her ice cream craving. Eli grimaces. “I’m too tired. How about this weekend?”
“Oh. That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
While he showers, she puts the dishes in the sink and then grabs her purse. She drives to the grocery store alone. The teenage clerk working the cashier eyes her pint of mint chocolate chip. She ignores his look of pity.
# # #
Finally, in Texas, Sophie settles in for a late night of work. She has a brief and a proposal due to a potential client in the morning, plus an in-progress presentation to her team. They’re launching a new advertising campaign for a local charity in just three days, and there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Feeling grubby in an old t-shirt and glasses, Sophie is reluctant to let X see her. They often chat online at night and occasionally use the video feature to see each other, so they feel less alone while they’re working.
“Please?” X’s plea comes through her laptop’s speakers. “It’s been a long day and I just need to see your face.”
After another moment’s hesitation, Sophie agrees. “No laughing,” she says as she clicks the Transmit Video button.
A little window with X’s face pops up on her screen. He smiles and waves. She waves back.
“Why would I laugh?” X asks. “You look beautiful. You always do.”
Now Sophie smiles.
They keep each other company till 2 am her time, midnight his. Then they say good night and power down their computers. They go to their respective beds, pull the covers up to their chins. X grabs his extra pillow and hugs it tight. Sophie cuddles the stuffed hippopotamus X gave her before leaving. They fall asleep and dream of each other.
