The Day We Met

Film Viewing

It wasn't weird on Wednesday. With Forth's clumsy attempts at flirting, it wasn't any more awkward than it typically was. 'Thanks for yesterday,' for instance. I'm better at other things," was spoken with a sexy grin that Beam intended to roll his eyes at but instead found himself smirking indulgently.

This time, after class, Beam did accompany Foreman to his subsequent class.

By the time Friday arrived, Beam had started to experience some worry around the movie night he had promised to. Though he was fond of Forth, he wasn't sure he was prepared for the repercussions of being left alone at Forth's apartment to "see a movie." Nevertheless, Pha had discussed the movie in detail with everyone at the History Club meeting.

"How many times have we seen Gladiator? In between nibbles of her pizza, Mook questioned. " It's your favorite movie, I swear."

Barom responded, "It's a classic."

Hong declared, "It's not a classic. And inaccurate historically. Pha..."

Rolling his eyes, Forth leaned in closer to Beam. "Would you like to see it?" Instead of lowering his voice, Forth increased it, drawing everyone's eyes to Beam in anticipation of his reply.

"I don't have an opinion because I haven't seen it."

Pha stated, "He hasn't seen it. It's been decided. We're watching it."

**

Even though Beam had been on campus for three weeks, he still hadn't explored every area, particularly the dorms. He consequently made a slight detour on the route. He muttered obscenities to himself till he discovered the address, wishing he had requested Forth's phone number.

Right before ascending the stairs to the second floor, he checked the clock. 7:10. Since he was the special guest, the movie most likely hadn't yet begun. They may have also been wondering if he lifted them up.

He heard voices and a loud chuckle as he got closer to the door, and even with his minimal background, he could identify the sounds as being Barom's. Barom was almost always the one laughing, so that was typically a sure thing.

In order for them to hear him, Beam made sure to knock on the door loudly.

The door opened in a tenth of a second. At the sight of him, Forth grinned.

"Get lost?"

"I found my way eventually."

"Some idiot should have given him directions," Phong said.

Forth looked over his shoulder. "Fuck you." He took a step back and turned to Beam again. "Come in."

Although it was cleaner than Beam had anticipated, the flat was small and, contrary to Pha's assurances, somewhat crowded. Phong and Mook were snuggled together on the floor. Pha was sitting on the couch with Hong perched between his knees and a bowl of popcorn in her lap. Barom was relaxing against the couch's side and had his feet up on Pha. The latter appeared unhappy about this and continued to push his feet aside.

"Barom, off." Pha's words came out as an order.

"Drink piss, this is my seat now."

"Forth was beside me until he answered the door and Beam is new and gets the couch too. Off."

Forth leaned in after catching Beam's attention. " At least he isn't wasted yet."

Beam reiterated, "Yet."

Finally, Barom forced himself off the couch, but Pha didn't appear to notice. But with him, it was occasionally difficult to tell.

Beam should take his seat first, Forth gestured in front of him.