"If the universe had gone completely insane and I'd graduated before him, I would have stayed to see him safe." It's not at all what she'd been going to say, but the truth - that if he hadn't decided to stay for a deal, she would have been sorely tempted to stay and make one on his behalf - is both a source of guilt and might require more explanation than is hers to give.

"Which would probably have made him throw something heavy at my head." One corner of her mouth ticks up in a little smile. "Even if he said it would make him a bad friend, leaving while I'm still stuck here."