Any Better

"I'm on my period."

30 minutes later, Malcolm stands up.

"Okay. I'm getting you a beer." He says, and leaves. I smirk and yawn. I'm exhausted. I should get to sleep, so I do exactly that. I climb into bed and wrap my cozy blankets around me. A few minutes later I'm fast asleep.

I wake up 30 minutes later, and Malcolm has already left. I yawn and crawl out of bed. I open the mini fridge across the room, and spot a beer in a can, with my name on it. Malcolm must've put the beer in the fridge and put a note on it, with my name.

I smile and close the fridge.

I grab a black crop top, plaid skater skirt and thin beige sweater from my dresser. I put the top and skirt on first and wrap the sweater around my waist.

The door handle wiggles and Malcolm bursts in.

"Don't you look spiffy!" I laugh, and check out his outfit. "First day. Dress to impress, right?" He chuckles.

He picks up his wallet and shoves it in his pocket. "I'm going to the cafe quick. Want anything?" He asks, finally looking at my face. "Nah, I've got a beer in the fridge with my name on it. Thank you." I smile. He smiles back and rubs my arm. He walks out of the dorm and disappears from the building.

When I'm in class, I couldn't stop thinking about Malcolm. The teacher called on me 4 times to pay attention.

At the end of class, she came to talk to me.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" She asks. I needed to make something up. And fast. "I, uh... I'm on my period. Yup." I reply, biting my lip. The woman raises her eyebrows. "Oh dear. I'm so sorry. I know the feeling. Have a good day." She says nervously. She scurries away.

As I enter the dorm, I get goose bumps. I get the shivers. I don't know why.

I slowly step upstairs, and into my shared room. Malcolm's in there, sitting on his bed, eyes closed, headphones on. He doesn't notice me walk in, until I jump on his bed. He's startled, and takes his headphones off.

"Beth, I heard there was a party tonight at the dorm across the way. Wanna go together?" He asks, patting my leg repeatedly. "You're not just going to see me drunk, are you?" I laugh. He laughs as well. "No! You're my friend. I'd kind of be scared to see you drunk." He continues to laugh.

He takes my hand and leads me out to the street. We were about to cross, to get closer to the other dormitory, but I stopped him. I put my hands on the side of his face.

He puts a surprised face on, but then smiles.

With my hands still on his face, I kiss him.

Slowly.

Our lips detach and we put our foreheads together, and smile.

"Best friends."