Classic Rock

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Dexter's POV:

The following week, I still haven't seen Simon class or around campus. After Wednesday's lecture, the professor called me up to talk with him.

"Good morning, Mr. Sun." He greeted me.
"Morning." I scratched my nose.
"Have you seen Mr. Carp? He hasn't been to class in two weeks—I've sent emails about his attendance but never got a response." He explained.
"I don't know. I haven't been in contact with him." I told the truth.
"Well..." He sighed in frustration. "If you see him, tell him to come by my office."
"Sure." I confirmed before walking out.

I started my way towards the cafeteria and someone called out to me. I turned around and immediately smiled.
"Hey, Matt."
"Hey, where are you going?" He asked. He was dressed in his usual style: a hoodie and jeans.
"Just getting something to eat. I kinda skipped breakfast." I explained.
"Alright—hey, the jazz band is having a small show tonight in LLC. You wanna go? There's gonna be food there."
"...I'll think about." I shrugged after a pause.
"Alright—text me." He said as he hurried off. I assumed he was running to class.

When I walked into the cafeteria, it was packed as usual and on cue, multiple heads turned towards me. For fuck's sake... I weaved through the swarming crowd of students and walked up to the Asian food line. I heard a few girls squeal behind me and one tapped my shoulder.
"Hi, Dexter!" She was bubbly as ever. "Can we get a picture with you?"
"No." I didn't bother looking at them.

I grabbed my serving and went to sit an open table. I put on my headphones to block the noise of loud students and sighed in relief. From a few tables in front of me, a student with glasses sitting with a few book bags. His clothes were semi-formal and his hair was pure white. I bit my lip...

He was soon accompanied by two girls who immediately put a smile on his face. He talked with his hands in a enthusiastic way with a cheery smile. The girls leaned into his words and occasionally giggled and his movements.

I pressed my tongue to my inner cheek and tapped my fingers on the table... I wanted to walk over to him, but I was hesitant. I'm never hesitant so I started to get frustrated.

I packed up my food and walked back to my brother's apartment. When I walked in, I heard a tiny meow and the kitten I saved hobbled towards me. The veterinarian found inflamed tissue in its hind leg and gave us medicine to put it it's food, but other than that, it was healthy—and it turns out it was a girl.

"Hey, baby..." I kneeled down to pet her, "Feeling a little better today?"
She meowed and nibbled on my finger, flipping on her back. So silly...

I put my food in the fridge and threw my bag in my room. I gently picked her up from the floor and went to lay on the couch while she crawled on my chest.
"Be careful..." I warned her, as she toppled over.
She wiggled her way under my chin and cuddled into my hair, purring loudly.

Ever since I brought her home that day, she's been completely attached to me. Most times I would come in after class, just to hang out with her. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and saw that I got a text from Matt, talking about the jazz show. I scrolled and saw Simon's name and our last conversation. I sighed.

I wanted to text him, but I couldn't figure an approach. Why am I thinking on this? Just go for it.
I simply texted 'hey'. Minutes later, I got a response:

___________________________________

Me: Hey

Him: Hi

Me: You busy?

Him: Not at the moment.

Me: Do you wanna talk?

Him: Sure

Me: I'll meet you at your place.

___________________________________

I carefully sat up and placed my cat on a nearby blanket and grabbed my keys to leave.