“I can call him if you want me to, Mom,” Maya agreed, just wanting to end the conversation.

“Good.” She sounded satisfied. “So how's school? Are you working hard? Getting good grades?”

Maya closed her eyes and her smile was grim. “Yep. Always do. I have to go, ok?”

“Don't you forget to call your father!”

“I won't,” Maya replied. “Bye.” She replaced the receiver and sat there for a moment, staring at it. She could look out the dorm room windows and see the cafeteria from here. She was going to be late for work.

She stared off into the distance, over the pond, where the ducks swam year round because everyone fed them and made them fat and lazy. Now, in the spring, they were in their prime, quacking loudly whenever anyone walked past, demanding attention. She could see someone feeding them now, squatting down by the edge.

Her mind wandered back to Jessica Sweet and Jake, and she longed to sit down at Jen's laptop and write the rest of the story. She wanted to escape into their world for a little while. Just a little while. Her mind drifted…

Jake pulled Jessica closer, his mouth slanting against hers, forcing her to open to him. She moaned as he pressed his thigh between hers, pinning her against the door. She lost herself in his embrace, as she always did, but finally came to her senses.

“Jake!” she gasped, shoving at his shoulders, but not feeling him move at all. “Your brother is going to be home in less than an hour. Do you want him to find you here?”

Maya sighed, shaking her head to clear it. Maybe Professor Reardon was right. Maybe she did just write “fairy stories” so she could escape the realities of her own life. She remembered that she had promised him that she would go by his office tomorrow.