How to Survive Your 19th Life [BL]

Chapter 3: The First

I kept in mild contact with Jason since my initial tour of the college, as he was assigned to be my "academic buddy." This essentially meant that we attended the Freshman Orientation dinner sitting at the same table with some of his other buddies, and I got his contact information if I needed anything. I never did, well not until I fixated upon Emiel Hugo.

I called Jason up with some basic questions about switching my dorm set up for next year. I already planned to move into the Sheridan Lofts my sophomore year as they were spacious apartments for upperclassmen.

After a few minutes of small talk about it, I mumbled, "Hopefully I can make some more friends next year."

"Having issues with getting to know people in your class, Solomon?" he asked.

Though he couldn't see me through the phone, I shrugged. "You gonna give me some pointers? You seem popular."

Jason laughed. "I don't know about that."

"I'm serious," I insisted. I kept my voice flat so that he wouldn't misconstrue my intentions for flirting. That was my biggest fear as a gay man – the misunderstanding of straight men. "You had a whole flock of friends during the tour. Remember? The baseball people."

"Oh, those guys? Nah, that's just the OC."

"OC?"

"Outings Club. It's a club that basically does a bunch of random sports and events. I don't know them very well, except for my roommate Emiel."

My heart stopped. "Y-your roommate?"

"Yeah. Well for this year. Emiel got into the studio apartments next year, lucky bastard."

"You are currently in the...?"

"Sheridan Lofts."

I laughed, too loudly, but I couldn't help it. My nerves tingled all over. "You know what? That's the dorm I want to be in next year. Can I swing by to check it out?"

"Sure!"

"Oh, is your roommate there? I don't want to disturb him."

"No worries. He's cooking right now, so if you hurry up, you might even get a bite."

I was already tugging my shoes on, stumbling towards my dorm door.

"Who's that?" I heard a deep yet sharp voice ask in the background. I froze. Just hearing his voice made my mouth salivate.

"Solomon, one of my buddies," Jason said to who I could only guess was Emiel. "You kinda met him already during his campus tour. You know..." Jason's voice became muffled, as though he covered the speaker with his hand. "...the one with the crazy parents. Is it okay if he comes over for a bit?"

"Tell him to come. I want to see him again."

I leaned against the door and bit my bottom lip to keep from making any weird noises. I hated that I was so captivated over someone I only sort of met once.

"Got it," I said loudly, hoping Emiel will hear me in the background. "I'll be there in a few minutes!"