“You came！” A slow smile spread across Hollis Lyons’s face； reaching his slate gray； thickly lashed eyes。 He was tall and lean； and wore jeans and a purple…and…black…striped vest over a white button…down。 A black newsboy cap sat jauntily on his head； his messy black hair sticking out from underneath。 On anyone else； the outfit would’ve looked ridiculous； but on Hollis； it somehow worked。 Vanessa randomly thought of a young Christian Bale in Newsies； a movie Jenny loved for no apparent reason。
Hollis draped his arm over Vanessa’s shoulder and led her into the kitchen。
“As you can see； we’re extremely well stocked。” He gestured to the makeshift bar like a game show host。 The cracked laminate counter was littered with empty bottles and cans。 “What can I get you？”
“Whatever you’re having。”
“PBR？” Hollis opened the refrigerator and held out a can toward her。 “Seems to be all that’s left。 I thought we’d just have a couple of people； but we’re at capacity。” He passed the beer to Vanessa。 “Just so you know； I don’t make a habit of drinking with my students。”
“I’m not your student anymore！” Vanessa had to yell above the music。 Le Tigre was pounding so hard through the stereo that the hardwood floor seemed to be shaking。
“I know！” Hollis grinned and clinked his glass against hers。 “Let’s go upstairs！”
He opened the door of the apartment and Vanessa followed。 He swung his leg onto a rickety fire escape ladder installed four feet above the floor； holding his beer precariously with one hand the whole time。 Vanessa clambered after him； her hands gripping the freezing fire escape； and stepped onto a narrow landing。 They faced a large black metal door with a note tacked on： DO NOT OPEN； ALARM WILL SOUND。
Hollis pushed open the