She stepped out the door of the building and ran straight into Nick. “Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“I wanted to ask you to get breakfast at the coffee shop with me,” he replied.
“I don’t know. I’m not really hungry,” she said.
“Come on, you need some meat on your bones, Li. You’re tiny,” he coaxed.
“I don’t want to be late for class, though. Why can’t we just have lunch together later?”
“Because you need breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day. It’s only 7:30. Just get a muffin or something.”
For a moment, he thought she was going to give in, but she shook her head. “I’m fat enough as it is. I don’t need more food.”
“What the hell are you talking about? You have a great body!” he exclaimed. When he realized what he had said, he began to blush. “I mean, from your best friend’s point of view. But come on. Please? When else do you get to see me?”
She sighed and followed him down the street. “Fine, but I’m out of there no later than 7:50.”
“Deal. Let’s go.”
They talked and laughed until 7:50 on the dot, and then Lila stood up to leave. “I hate to cut this short, but I don’t want to be late again. I think Dr. Schyewski will have my head.”
“Bye. I’ll stop by later,” Nick called after her.