Jessica awoke and sat up in bed, listening. She hugged her arms and inhaled slowly and exhaled. There was no sound except for the clock ticking and birds twittering outside the window.

     When Taeyeon was here, there was always noise the shower running, a door banging, dishes rattling, the news channel blaring on the TV. And there were good smells too, coffee perking, bacon frying, his aftershave wafting from the bathroom.

     Jessica climbed out of bed, pulled on her robe, padded to the kitchen, and put on the coffee. She looked around, half expecting to see Taeyeon sitting at the table reading a book.

     It had only been three days since he moved out, and already the apartment seemed empty without him.

     It has to be this way, she told herself. It's not fair of me to expect him to stay here and be my friend when he wants so much----more than I can give. I have to let him go. And as soon as I finish my classes, I'll go home to San Francisco and put this whole painful chapter of my life behind me.

     She poured herself a bowl of cereal. If Taeyeon was here, they'd be fixing scrambled eggs and French toast together or pancakes shaped like little animals.

     Taeyeon made them that way all the time now, just to please her. She hated cold, soggy, cereal, but it made no sense to fix a hot breakfast just for herself.

     The silence taunted her.

     The door caught her attention. She jumped up from the table, her heart pounding. Who could it be? She wasn't expecting anyone. Or was she? She went to the refrigerator and quickly scanned her list. "Nine o'clock Sunny coming to visit."

     Another knock sounded. Jessica scurried across the room and threw open the door. Her bestfriend stood there smiling back at her. Jessica grabbed her hand and pulled her inside. "Oh, Sunny, I'm sorry. Come in. I forgot you are coming. I'm not even dressed yet."

     "No problem." Sunny crossed the room and sat down on the sofa. "We're just going to have an old fashioned Gabfest. If I'd brought my robe, it would be one of our favorite sleepover."

     Jessica sat down in Taeyeon's favorite beanbag chair. "I don't remember our slumber parties."

     "One of these days when we have lots of time, I'll fill you in on all the details. We had some really crazy, fun times when we lived on campus."

     "That's where Taeyeon is now. He's staying with his friend Sooyoung."

     "Yes, I heard. I remember Sooyoung. The tall guy."

     "That's him."

     "So how does Taeng like living back on the campus dorm agai