Strawberries & Cigarettes- Meanie

I

Play;  Teddy Bear by Melanie Martinez

Mingyu stands at the door of room 17, the tall, tanned skin, muscular athlete, anxiously waiting for the door to open. He was told his roommate was in his second year.

The door swings open and he snaps back to reality, there is a lanky guy in the doorframe, a navy cardigan lay on his broad shoulders and a pair of round glasses sits on the bridge of his nose.

"Hey! You must be Wonwoo! I'm your new roommate, Mingyu" he cheerfully greets holding out his hand for a handshake.

The other guy hesitantly shakes his hand and nods. "I'll help you with your bags." He says awkwardly grabbing the suitcase at their feet.

Mingyu follows him into the room taking a minute to familiarise himself with his new home away from home.

Wonwoo places the suitcase next to a empty bed which Mingyu assumes to be his own.

"So what's your major?" The taller asks trying to start a conversation.

"I'm an Art and Music major what about you?" Wonwoo replies sitting on his bed opening a book.

"Business and Marketing, though I did get in on a sports scholarship with Volleyball and Lacrosse." The taller says as he begins to unpack.

Wonwoo hums in reply not wanting to continue the conversation and focus on his book but Mingyu is too persistent for his own good.

"I heard there's a 'welcome' party tonight before the semester officially starts, do you want to join me?" Mingyu asks.

"Parties aren't really my thing, sorry." Wonwoo replies.

"Awwe, let yourself go a little, especially before school starts, just this once." Mingyu whines in protest.

"Maybe next time." Wonwoo replies ending the conversation. I'll be there everytime Mingyu Don't worry.

"Okay, but if you change your mind let me know," He says taking his clothes and walking into the bathroom.

Wonwoo reads in silence for a while until a loud ding sound echos through the room. He looks at his phone and sighs, he rushes out the door grabbing one of his bags on the way.

~~~

Wonwoo rushes into his car driving to Heaven's Cloud cafe just a few minutes away, his knuckles turn white, his grip on the wheel. The man calms himself with a few deep breathes.

As he parks outside the quaint little building his heart rate speeds up and the pounding in his chest gets louder, but he pushes on and enters the cafe.

He quickly scans the venue seeing the recognisable face and quickly walking towards the man sat at the table.

"Wonwoo-yah, how are you doing?" The man asks placing his hand on Wonwoo's thigh as he sat. He doesn't even wait for Wonwoo to answer as he speaks again. "The school year is starting again, you know what to do to not fail my classes right?"

"Can't I just pass normally?" The boy asks his head hanging low.

"Now Wonwoo, look at me." The man holds his chin and pulls his face up to look in his eyes. "You're a Smart kid, you should be smart enough to know I won't let that happen."

The man stands up and leave after that, leaving the 20 year old to his own thoughts. His vision becomes blurry as he thinks about how he got to this stage. After a deep breath, he exits the cafe and gets back into his car.

He pulls out his phone and calls the ever so useful number. After a few rings the other line picks up.

"Hey Wonwoo! How are you doing? What do you need?" The young voice on the other line says happily.

"Hey Jackson, I'm okay I guess, I'll take 3 of my usual." He says smiling ever so slightly thinking of the cheerful male on the other line.

"Of course my favourite regular, I'll see you in 10 at the usual spot." Jackson says hanging up.

Wonwoo starts his car and drives for a few minutes arriving at the familiar alleyway which a club on each side.

"Wonwoo! Hey bud!" A voice calls out a arm swinging it self over her shoulder with difficulty due to Wonwoo being taller than the other male.

Wonwoo smiles immediately knowing who it is, he turns and gladly accepts the man's embrace.

"Hey Jackson hyung," he smiles.

"You need to drop by the club soon, let lose a little, college is the best years of one's life you know!" He says.

"I'll drop by tonight, semester officially starts tomorrow so I have to drop by before I get busy again." Wonwoo replies.

"Heard a few kids from your college are coming tonight for a 'welcome back' party." Jackson says lighting a cigarette and leaning against the brick wall offering Wonwoo one.

Wonwoo gladly takes one and lights it before replying.

"I've heard of that, my new roommate mentioned it, let's hope I don't get caught yeah." He jokes.

"Why do you keep up this innocent persona huh?" Jackson asks inhaling the smoke.

"I don't know, but it works, teacher don't say anything, no one at school knows, i keep my invisible persona while having the fun I want. No one's recognised me and I plan on keeping it that way." Wonwoo replying breathing in the nicotine.

"You do you, but you'll always have me, and the boys you know." Jackson reply's putting out the cigarette.

"Of course, we are family at this point!" Wonwoo replies following the olders action in putting out the flame.

"I gotta get ready for opening, so here's your stuff plus a few extra things just for you." Jackson hands him a plastic bag.

"Thank you hyung, I'll see you tonight" Wonwoo says smiling.

"Don't mention it, you're family." Jackson says waving to him and walking out of the dark alley. Wonwoo opens the bag and looks inside; 3 packs of cigarettes, a few blunts, a bag of white powder and a bottle of which he assumes is pills. There's also a note inside:

3 Cigarettes
4 Blunts
30g of Cocaine
A few ecstasy :)

From ur best hyung, Jackson.

Wonwoo chuckles at the note and walks out of the alley. He then gets back into his car and drives home hoping Mingyu isn't there.