o wake Joy up. She confirmed she heard noises too. We checked the time and it was 2:30 AM. W

eak first since I presumed I was older

" a voice

d I said in un

und, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked like a swollen pig. My bald front hair didn't miss the opportunity to embarrass me. I quickly rushed to

to let me into your room, which he eventually did after much persuasion. I ca

here, Fred?" Joy ask

over Fred. He looked so good. His pink lips moved g

ey. I had nowhere else to go, so I came down here. It's not far from my hostel. I'll

you call her or rather go to her side?"

Her phone was switched

y, deliberately interrupt

u offer your broth

went ahead to

Fred sai

yes kept meeting. There was no doubt I liked

e to sleep with Fred around. He was already lying on the floor. Joy had given

ignment?" he asked, standing a

do a quick revision on today'

, huh," he sa

lt through me. My whole body reacted. It was so unhealthy to be t

d. Fred went back to the floor, and I tried to keep my hear

ady freshened up. I was still on my bed when I saw him tucki

rning,"

sleeping beau

my eyes a

s for accommodating me.

responded. Joy w

just like that, t

his smile, his voice. I kept replaying everything. I was falling for him. I

night. Then one afternoon, as I was heading back from a lecture,

essa. How

d. I'm g

said she won't be back until evening,

ardly. "Well,

for a walk? There's a ne

ld friends. Fred was so easy to talk to. We tal

t on a bench under a mango tre

u, Vanessa," he said,

like talkin

hall. We exchanged numbers and started chatting every night. Sometimes, we

th his guitar. I didn't

ou play

le. Want to h

ur

ong. My heart melted. It was like he wrot

e both sat in sil

I know we haven't known each other for long

was screaming yes, bu

anything now. Just th

m, but because I did. Too much. I was scared of what Joy would

ened my umbrella stepped into the rain rushing to school. Joy had called me later that day that she would n

but I need to stay alone for now and try to figure out my life. My dad d

got home , undressed, and silence dawned on me that very moment. I won't lie, I missed Joy, our gist and how she made everywhere lively. I was getting

my juice and I nearly choked on i

intentionally declined the call, in no time, I heard

ring why you are not taking my calls. anyways come

me to come over" i asked myself blushing like a kid that was offered ice cream. " vanessa focus, nothing like that, he just w

S HOSTEL,

ding my phone tightly. A thousand thoughts ran through my head. Should I go? What if he just wanted to

I decided to go. I couldn't explain it, but I wanted to see him. Maybe it was boredom o

. I didn't want to look like I was trying too hard. As I picked up my umbrella and phone, I glanced in the mirror.

ery. I walked carefully, my heart pounding faster with every step. Room 12. That was what he said

er, Fred opened it. He looked calm, in a grey h

sounding surprised b

," I replied,

ide a portable speaker playing soft music. It smelled like fabric softene

turb you," he said,

eplied. "I wasn't

his drawer, and brought

anding it to me. "

k notepad and a set of colored pens.

tful. Thank you," I said

d organizing your notes," he said, scratchi

r paid that much attention to

ave to, thoug

, still smiling.

nd even some of his childhood memories. I laughed more times than I expected. I shared a few things

oft patter on the window added to the calm ambiance in his room. We were no long

e, but the kind that makes your heartbeat louder. I lo

u're really easy to talk to. I

sly. "I feel th

breath caught in my throat. The tension between us was thick. I w

l," he said, alm

g so loudly I was sure he could hear it. We sat ther

ithout thinking,

slow and sweet, full of hesitation and electr

aid. "I didn't me

ll trying to gather my

tly shaky. "I should get

derstand. Let me

nce between us was different now, intimate, warm.

, Vanessa,

d thanks again... sp

led an