A winter-break gathering among college friends is a surprisingly revealing day in this heartfelt coming-of-age short story by New York Times bestselling author David Levithan.

Eric, a college freshman, joins his four dormmates for an afternoon in New York City—the first time he’s seen them outside their campus bubble. But feeling increasingly invisible among these new friends, Eric’s anxieties compound. As they roam the streets of New York, Eric begins to question if he’s even truly wanted there. Soon, though, the friends start to reveal pieces of themselves. Can Eric let go enough to show them who he really is?

David Levithan’s Winter Breakage is part of The Edge of Everything, a collection of short coming-of-age stories of first love, messy choices, and self-discovery. Each story can be read or listened to in one sitting.

David Levithan is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of numerous acclaimed novels for adults and young adults, including The Lover’s Dictionary; Every Day, which was made into a motion picture; Boy Meets Boy; Two Boys Kissing; and, with Rachel Cohn, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist.