His mention of her mother caused her to go rigid for a moment. Her eyes dipped, and her fists bulged in her pockets. When he reached out his hand, Arbor slapped it out of the way, a loud smack carrying through the hall. She walked ahead, mumbling a monotonous, "Let's go." Needless to say, her expression was as sour as ever.
It was brisk, typical for a North Dakotan March, and many students bundled up in heavy coats, huddling together like penguins in a mass. Arbor walked down the sidewalk in her thin jacket and jean shorts, eyes focused in front of her, glowering at the sidewalk square in front of her. It was strange that a girl so focused on the sidewalk bumped into a passerby, who made a high oof upon impact. Her small "Excuse me!" was met with no response, but rather an icy stare from the small Asian girl.
The passerby adjusted her thick-rimmed glasses. She was a ginger-haired girl, wearing a coat with fur poofing around the hood. She frowned and cleared her throat.
"Excuse me."
Arbor kept walking.
"You're excused."