words per minute
20
adrip
00:00
Speed
He knocked at the door. His knuckles tingled.
Have you heard from him in a while?
Not in a long time, Arthur said.
There was a pause. A car drove over the speed bump behind them. Then another.
Buster itched his ear. The large shadow cast by the dorms always made Arthur colder than expected. He pulled on his coat sleeves.
He wasn’t in class again. I’m worried, Arthur.
Arthur looked down at his feet on the sidewalk. Buster knocked this time.
He won’t answer his phone either. I think he’s back at it, Buster said as he put his ear to the door.
There was a noise. They took a step back. Footsteps. The knob jostled, then the door opened.
Hello?
They stood, and that’s all they did as the smell hit them. That’s all they could do as it was all confirmed with an inhalation. His bloodshot eyes.
Hello? he repeated.
George, we were just checking on you, Arthur said. He shuffled his glasses on his face. A pause. Buster’s presence was just as awkward as his. He could feel it.
Oh no, the RA is after me again. Look, it’s my choice if I go to class or not.
George eyed Buster who shared his class. Arthur stood up straight to shift George’s attention.
George, I’m not coming as your RA. I’m coming as your friend, Arthur said.