They have been texting since she asked about his applications. A few times, texting became inconvenient and one of them called instead. Sometimes the calls almost feel like before, but almost is the problem. Everything still feels fragile, as if either of them could say the wrong thing and ruin this. Sometimes she gets off the phone and cries because it went well, which seems unfair even to herself. Sometimes it gets so awkward that she spends the hour after they speak convinced being just friends isn’t feasible. But at least they’re trying.