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The cafeteria seating is a bit different the next day, having rearranged to suit the new reality they're all in. Unspoken, Schlatt doesn't sit in his usual spot; when the sophomores arrive, Wilbur and Niki join Alex, as though Wilbur had never left. (Well. Except for the long silences as they all pick at their food and don't talk. But--people are people. It's better than nothing.)
When the freshmen arrive, Toby's with them, but he goes straight to sit next to Alex rather than brave the food lines. He's practically covered in bandages, and what Alex can see of the skin under them is ugly, but he's alive and walking, which is better than it could have been. Maybe he'll survive after all. At least it's a weekend; he won't have to make it through classes until he's a little more healed. At least he's alive.
Niki and Tommy give Toby extras from their plates--a helping of green beans, a second roll. Alex wishes he had thought of getting extra, and resolves to get some for lunch and dinner. But at least he's alive. He keeps coming back to that. (He hadn't slept well last night, wondering.)
Everyone's quieter, but before Alex can leave, Wilbur grabs his arm. "Come to my dorm after dinner tonight," he says, and maybe Alex is stupid, because he says yes before he can think about it.
