She made it to the dorm room.

That was as far as she got.

I had my hand on the door, key already out, and she stepped through ahead of me and then her knees went. I caught her before she hit the floor, both arms, full weight, her head dropping against my shoulder.

"Val."

"I'm fine," she said. Which was what she always said. Which meant nothing.

Her skin was burning. I could feel it through her jacket, through my shirt, heat radiating off her in waves that had nothing to do with exertion. ...