The Two Of Us | Coming In 2020

SNEAK PEAK

[copyright AubreyParsons ©2018]

O N E

[SNEAK PEAK]

"IT SMELLS LIKE moldy pizza in here."

"We aren't the first people who have stayed in this dorm," Cyrus said.

"Yeah, but, aren't they supposed to clean them before other people move in?" I asked, shutting the door behind us.

"It's not a hotel, Jay," Cyrus scolded. He dropped his suitcase on the floor beside the bed. "There aren't maids waiting for us to leave so they can clean up our messes."

"Their messes," I corrected, referring to our dorm's previous residents. I followed the source of the odor, crouching down to glance under the bed. "A sock," I muttered. "They left a sock."

Cyrus waved off my complaints. "Throw it away."

I gaped. "I am not touching that thing. Do you have any idea how many diseases it probably has?"

"Maybe not a disease, but there could be some type of fungi." He unzipped his suitcase and pulled a book from an inside pocket. He examined the top before frowning. "Damn, I lost my bookmark."

I glanced around the room for anything I could use to grab the diseased sock, but came up short. "There are more pressing matters at hand than what page you're on in that soapy book of yours. I might die if I breathe in this air for much longer."

Cyrus laughed and sat the book down beside him. "Jay, just pick it up with your hands and wash them after. A dirty sock isn't going to kill you."

"Speak for yourself. Why don't you come get rid of it, since it's so harmless." I waved a hand towards the disease.

He lifted his hands defensively and shook his head. "It's under your bed, not mine. Therefore—"

"—it's not you're problem," I finished in a grumble. "Yeah, I know."

Cyrus ignored me for the next five-or-so minutes of struggling to remove the cause of my future demise from under the bed. It took my least favorite pair of underwear and a hangar from the dorm room's closet to finally get it out from under the bed and into the trash can. "All finished?" he asked as I returned from the bathroom, where I washed my hands three times for good measure.

"No thanks to you." I looked around the room, carefully avoiding my luggage in my search for something, anything to do. "Now what?"

He raised his eyes from whatever page he was on and I panicked internally when they glanced at the clothing bursting out of my suitcase. Please don't say unpack. Please don't say unpack. Please don't say—

"Did you remember to bring the system?"

Tensed shoulders dropped in relief. "Of course I packed it. It was the first thing I packed, along with any game I could fit after necessities."

Cyrus shrugged and bookmarked his book. "We could always pas s the time with some gaming. I'm down if you are."

"Sounds like a plan—" I stopped as a knock pounded against the door. Cyrus and I shared a look. We didn't know anybody on campus, yet. There was no reason for anybody to be at our door. "We're not getting another roommate, right? Unless it's a female. I would be perfectly fine with a female roommate."

Cyrus stood from the bed and started towards the door. "We're not getting another roommate."

Tall, dark, and acne stood in the doorway, a goofy smile on his face and a hand held out awkwardly in front of it. Cyrus decided to take one for the team and shake it. "Hey, I'm Rodney."

I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms in case he got any funny ideas about touching me. "Room service?"

Cyrus rolled his eyes. "Ignore him. We just weren't expecting any visitors. We don't exactly know anybody."

Rodney's face lit up. I wasn't sure why the idea of our loneliness pleased him so much. He made me uncomfortable. Note to self: avoid Rodney from now on. "That's actually why I'm here," he said. "Well, sort of. I'm a second year. A few of us decided to go around the dorms and introduce ourselves to the freshmen in case any of you need any help."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think we'll be fine." I started to shut the door, but Cyrus stopped it with his foot.

"We appreciate the offer," he said, ignoring me. "I'll be sure to let you know if I have any questions."

Rodney smiled and stepped back, allowing me to shut the door once Cyrus moved his foot.

"Well, that was awkward."

Cyrus laughed and shook his head. "You're unbelievable."