The Night's Lullaby

chapter two- it's a boy and he doesn't have takeout

"It's so... empty" I say looking at the remainder of my dorm.

"No it's just different. Besides without all my stuff it looks more minimalistic, more chic. It'll just take some getting use to." Liz says watching the storage truck drive off with her belongings. "Besides once your new roommate moves in it'll fill right back up."

"Speaking of which, when are they coming by?" I questioned with false curiosity.

"She is coming by in an hour." Liz informs. "I was thinking we could make a Mediterranean dish, her last name sounds Italian."

"Make? Liz we are the worst at cooking. Besides we've been packing up your stuff all day and I don't know about you but I'm exhausted. Let's order take out." I advise knowing our nature.

"Good move," She says with a laugh. "I'll go call."

As she walks into the other room I can't help but think about how today's the day, the last day before she leaves. The last day spent with her and not some mere stranger with hopes of taking her place. And how after twelve years of inseparableness here we were hours away from separation. I glance over at the oven clock, 6:36. There's only a couple hours left until she has to catch her flight. I'm contemplating how much time that gives us to make the best of today when I realize Liz has been on that phone call a little too long. "Liz what are you-" I ask pushing open the bathroom door, only to find that she's quietly sobbing with her head down and her knees against her chest. "Liz."

She looks up at me, "My mom called she- she doesn't think he's going to make it. And I just called the airline to see if I could push back my flight to right now but the only available slot is an hour from now and I- I don't want it to-" Her weeps interject her verbality.

I wrap my arm around her, "I'm going to help you get through this, give me the number I'll call." She hands me the phone. I'm about to phone the airport when I hear a knock at the door. "I'll be right back".

I look through the peephole, it's a boy and he doesn't have takeout. He has dark black hair that's longer in the front, and buzzed on the sides and a rather sculpted face- he is definitely not a she. I open the door slightly, "Hello?"

"I'm here because of an open dorm." He says sonorously.

"You're name?" I ask slightly confused.

"Levi Vitale."

Italian for sure. If Liz wasn't going through what she was I'd have a few choice words for her right now. "Okay so there's been a small misunderstanding. I need to consult with my roommate, stay right there." I close the door and run over to Liz.

"What was the name of the 'girl' that you scheduled and appointment with today?" I ask though I have a feeling I already know the answer.

"Levi Vit- Vit-something." She says wiping away her last few tears and putting herself back together.

"Levi is a boy."

"What? How?" She asks, baffled. "Wait no, I can see it. Levi like Levi jeans. Shit Aria I can't do anything right I am so so sorry."