33 Roommates

Students gawked at me as we walked past, whispering to each other, probably thinking that I was being arrested for something. Why did people oftentimes jump to conclusions?

"Here we are!" Officer Winters said, opening the passenger door for me. Then she climbed into the driver's seat.

Within minutes, we pulled into Mario's Italian Pizzeria. "You can leave your backpack in the car." She looked over at me and grinned. "I don't think anyone's going to bother it."

I nodded, smiling as I followed her inside and sat in a corner booth.

She flipped open the menu. "So, would you like to split a pizza or have the buffet?"

I shrugged. "Whatever you want." I bit my lower lip and then released it. "But I hate for you to spend your money on me."

Officer Winters shrugged. "No problem at all." Then she tilted her head to the side, taking me in. "It'll give us a chance to talk."

I let out a deep breath. "What about?"