Chapter 4
The next morning comes far too early.
Sleeping in a new place is always a gamble.
If my body is tired enough, it’s not a problem, but last night my nerves were buzzing with excitement, making it nearly impossible to fall asleep.
The unfamiliar space and the horrendously thin mattress didn’t help.
Plus, Atlanta is extremely noisy—like, I knew it would be in theory, but somehow it turned out even worse than I expected.
Now, though, the racket continues, but now it’s within the thin walls of the dorm itself.
At first, it’s the sound of commotion—the front door opening and shutting, feet shuffling through the shared space of the apartment. Then I hear unfamiliar voices, speaking in hushed tones at first, then growing louder.
I glance at my phone to see the time. 9:48. I guess it’s not actually that early at all.
Then, a gruff voice: “Which room, Max?”
Max. Right, it’s the last roommate moving in.
A much different voice replies: “A is mine, but put the floor pillows and the box of blankets in here. Gotta make this place cozier!”
I roll back over in bed and let my eyes fall shut. I might as well stay in my room for now—I’ll probably be in the way if I go out there. Plus, who knows when I’ll get another chance to sleep in?
As I move to reach for my earbuds, I hear Theo’s door open and shut.
“Oh my god, hiii!” an excited sing-song voice exclaims. “You’re Theo, aren’t you? Theo Briggs? I’m Max Alvarez!”
“Yep, that’s me! Hi Max!”
“Are you okay with hugs?”
“Sure, bring it in!”
With a sigh, I drag myself out of bed and throw on some gym shorts. I can’t leave Theo alone with new people for too long. It’s my job as the extrovert of the friend group to alleviate as much of the social anxiety as possible.
“I hope you don’t think I’m too creepy,” Max continues. “But I definitely snooped through your Instagram, and I have to say, you and your boyfriend are so insanely adorable!”
Theo lets out a nervous laugh. “Aww, thanks, man!”
“Just so you know, I’m hella gay and trans, so I was excited to have at least one other queer person here, you know?”
“Oh, yeah, I feel the same way!”
While they chat, I slip out of my room quickly and quietly, making a beeline for the bathroom.
Once I’m finished and freshened up, I head into the shared space to find Theo in a rather one-sided conversation with someone I assume is Max—a short, small-statured figure with shaggy brown hair, tan skin, and glasses.
To my surprise, Theo is already dressed in green linen shorts and a striped button-down, his curly black hair still damp from the shower.
He’s holding an energy drink in one hand and two protein bars in the other.
On closer inspection, his smile looks a little forced, and I can only assume he’s trying to escape back into his room to enjoy his breakfast with Caleb in peace.
As soon as our eyes meet, Max’s entire face lights up with excitement. “Hi! You must be Oliver!”
I smile widely. “Ah, my reputation precedes me. And you’re Max!”
“The one and only!” Max replies. “Do you do hugs?”
“Absolutely!”
Our height difference is almost laughable. His head barely reaches my chin. But the hug is warm and friendly, immediately calming my nerves.
“Sorry to dart out so soon,” Theo says as Max and I pull apart. “But Caleb’s waiting for his breakfast.”
“Oh, of course!” Max replies. “Go enjoy your breakfast! See you later!”
Theo smiles. “See ya!”
While Theo escapes, I head over to the fridge and grab a caffeinated soda.
“So, have you guys known each other long?” Max asks, leaning eagerly over the counter. “Y’all already seem to have a vibe, and I think I saw some pics on Insta of you guys in groups together.”
I swallow down some soda before answering. “Yeah, Theo and I have been friends since middle school. We requested to be roommates. Or, suitemates, I guess.”
“That’s so cool!” Max exclaims. “It’s so good to start with someone already in your corner, you know? I have a couple of friends who are staying a few floors up, too. I hope it’s okay, but I asked them to come help me decorate later today.”
“Of course,” I say. “I’m pretty sure we’re having our buddy from Tech over to visit later today, too. And Theo’s boyfriend, Caleb, is already here, of course—he spent the night.”
Max’s face brightens again. “Oh my god, they’re both so cute. Do you think I can meet him before he leaves? Does he go to Eidola, or is he just visiting?”
“Caleb’s just visiting, but I’m sure he’ll be around quite a lot. He and Theo are pretty inseparable.”
“Ugh, that’s so disgustingly adorable.”
“You have no idea.”
Max laughs. “So, what about you? Any significant others that’ll be visiting?”
I shake my head. “Nah, only friends.”
Max stares at me as if waiting for me to say more. When I don’t continue, he clears his throat. “Gotcha. Well, maybe you’ll find someone this semester!”
I shrug. “Yeah, maybe!”
I sense Max’s eyes linger on me again, like he’s studying me. I’ve always considered myself a pretty open book, so this feels a little extra weird, especially given Theo’s questions last night.
Eventually, Max continues. “Anyway, I will likely have lots of visitors coming in and out throughout the week. I’m not seeing anyone at the moment, but I’m a social butterfly and a bit of a slut, so it’s only a matter of time.
But if you, Theo, or Vimlesh have any discomfort or awkwardness about anyone I bring over, don’t hesitate to let me know! ”
“Sure, no worries!”
“Actually, speaking of Vimlesh,” Max says, his brow furrowing. “Did he move in yesterday? I haven’t seen him yet.”
I glance toward Vimlesh’s closed bedroom door. “Great question. He did, but I’ve only seen him come out of his room once since we’ve been here. I don’t think it’s anything personal. I get the feeling he’s a bit more on the shy side.”
Max follows my gaze towards Vimlesh’s room. “Ooh, that’s a bummer. Not that he’s shy, just that he has to share a wall with the least shy person alive. I’ll try not to make him hate me.”
“Hey, Max, we’re heading down for the next load,” the gruff voice from earlier calls. We see a much taller man exiting Max’s bedroom, clearly related to him—perhaps an older brother.
“I’m right behind you,” Max replies, straightening to his full height and clapping his hands together. “Well, I guess I'd better get back to it.”
“Do you need any help?” I hear myself ask before I can stop it.
“Nah, I’ve got two big brothers and a stepdad here to do all the hard work. You get to rest from doing all this shit yesterday.”
I smile. “Cool. Yeah, we’ll hang more later.”
“Bet! See ya!”
I open my mouth to say that my father, unfortunately, ruined the phrase “bet” yesterday, but I decide against it. Max doesn’t deserve that. I must bear that burden alone.
Once Max and his brothers leave, I grab a granola bar, head back to my bedroom, and text Theo about the day’s agenda.
We have one day left before college starts, but it’s already shaping up to be a busy one.
We’re supposed to visit Harrison’s new dorm at Georgia Tech, grab groceries and supplies, get dinner, and be back in enough time for Caleb’s sister, Lola, to pick him up and take him home to Specter.
Maybe there’s time for just a quick little power nap before we need to leave.