Chapter 8
“Good afternoon, everyone,” the professor announces. “My name is Dr. Bishara, and this is Introductory Biology.”
While Dr. Bishara introduces herself and begins going over the syllabus, I can’t help but let my mind wander back to my lunch with Jude.
I was certain after last night that Jude would want nothing to do with me.
Whether it was because Max and Celeste convinced them I was interested in more than friendship, or because I somehow wound up asking everyone to announce their sexual preferences to the room, I assumed I had blown it.
As soon as I saw them sitting alone in the second row of my Psych class, I knew I had to try to befriend them again.
And by some miracle, Jude decided to give me another chance.
Last night’s interaction had already convinced me that Jude was pretty cool, but our time together today confirmed it—Jude is actually the most fascinating person I’ve ever met.
They’re funny, they’re smart, and they have excellent taste in movies and TV.
Their aesthetic, interests, and worldviews—literally everything about them—draw me in.
I want to know everything about them. I want to study them under a microscope.
I want to chat for hours about everything and nothing at once.
We yapped nonstop at each other over lunch, laughing, goofing off, and ribbing like old friends.
It’s hard to believe I learned this person’s name less than twenty-four hours ago.
If I’m honest, I’ve never clicked with anyone like this before.
Is this what having a best friend is like?
Is this how Harrison and Theo feel every time they hang out?
I can’t believe I’ve been missing out for so long.
I wonder, ever so briefly, if we might be soulmates.
But eww, no, of course we’re not. That’s crazy.
We can’t be soulmates. Jude made it clear they’re only into girls, and I completely respect that.
In fact, I’m actually relieved. We’ll never have to navigate the nuances of dating or decipher romantic intentions.
We can be friends—maybe even best friends—with no pressure, expectations, or awkwardness.
Is that crazy? Maybe. But that’s how I feel.
With all that said, I really hope Jude feels it, too—this unbelievable compatibility and platonic chemistry between us.
It would really suck if this fondness only went one way.
The last thing I want to do is scare Jude off, and right now, these big revelations I’m having would come across as more than a little creepy.
Obviously, I can never tell Jude that the word “soulmates” even crossed my mind, but would it be weird to say we’re clearly destined to be friends?
Maybe we were friends in a past life? Is there a friend version of soulmates?
If that exists, that’s what we are. There’s no doubt in my mind about that.
If platonic soulmates exist, I have found mine. And their name is Jude Cohen.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Note to future Oliver: never, ever agree to an 8:00 AM class again.
“It’ll be fun,” Theo had said.
“Kicking the day off early will help ease us into college life,” Theo had claimed.
“Worst case, we can just roll out of bed and walk to class,” Theo had insisted.
I should have known better than to trust a morning person to help me make my class schedule. I spent the past thirteen years of my life forced to wake up early for school—why on earth would I do it now, voluntarily?
“Good morning!” Theo announces from the kitchen as I close my bedroom door behind me.
I grunt in response.
“Aww,” Max’s voice joins in. “Not a morning person, Oliver?”
“He’s not,” Theo answers on my behalf before I can grunt again. “I convinced him to take this early class with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“Ooh, is it English 1101, by any chance?” Max asks eagerly.
“It is! At Lewis Hall?”
“Ahh, yay! Me too!”
“That’s dope!”
While Theo and Max excitedly chat about our shared morning class, I trudge into the kitchen for coffee. I desperately need caffeine.
“Are you almost ready, Oliver?” Theo asks.
“Almost,” I grumble as I swing open the dishwasher. I thank whatever deities are out there for having the foresight to toss my new EU-branded travel coffee mug in the wash last night.
Once I’ve filled my cup with coffee and flavored creamer, the three of us head out the door. Theo and Max continue their upbeat chatter while I linger a few steps behind. At some point along the route, I pull out my phone and shoot Jude a text.
Oliver
question: why on earth would anyone ever choose an 8am class?
Jude
why not? getting class over early so you have more time to yourself is the best
Oliver
ughhh you sound like Theo and Max
Jude
lmao and you sound like a baby
Oliver
I can't believe I'm surrounded by morning psychos
Jude
you've done this to yourself
Oliver
I know, I hate it
Jude
give it some time, you'll learn to love mornings too
Oliver
not a chance
Jude
for example, I’ll literally be done with classes for the day by 11:30am today
Oliver
damn okay that does sound nice
so I take it you’re on your way to class now too?
Jude
already here actually lol
Oliver
of course you are
mx. second row
Jude
aww, did you have to look up the gender-neutral version of mr/ms?
Oliver
no! I have an enby friend from high school, remember?
I’m an expert on honorifics
Jude
oh right, you said I look like them
Oliver
no you just remind me of them
y'all have similar vibes and aesthetics but otherwise very different
Jude
gotcha. well I’m going to take it as a compliment
Oliver
oh trust me, there’s no higher compliment
Wren is the coolest person I've ever known
well, maybe 2nd coolest
Jude
gross
Oliver
oh not you
awkward
obviously I’m the coolest person I know. duh
Jude
right, of course lol
“Who are you texting this early?” Theo asks, slowing his pace ahead of me so I can catch up. Max does the same.
“Yet another morning person,” I reply, my voice still groggy.
“Oh?” Max asks, his brows raised with intrigue. “Someone interesting?”
“I’d say so,” I answer, grinning at him. “They were your friend first.”
Max’s eyes go wide. “Jude? You’re texting my friend Jude?”
I nod. “Yep. Turns out we’re taking Intro to Psych together, so we figured we’d partner up for a big project.”
Theo also looks shocked. “You’re texting about school stuff this early?”
“Well, no, we’re just chatting. They’ve got an 8 AM class, too.”
Max and Theo exchange an odd look. “Is Jude actually texting you back?” Max asks.
I frown. “Yes? Is that bad?”
“No, I’m just surprised. Jude doesn’t warm up to people very quickly—especially when it comes to men. They’ve had some pretty nasty experiences with guys.”
“Oh,” I say softly, my heart sinking. That makes sense, at least regarding Jude’s initial hesitation.
I had assumed that Jude was simply more reserved, or that they really wanted to make it clear they weren’t interested in flirting.
I didn’t realize they had a legitimate aversion to the male sex. “That sucks,” I finally manage.
“Yeah, I won’t get into it because it’s their business, but, yeah,” Max continues. “The CIS men in Jude’s life have been awful. I’m the only guy they willingly engage with. Until now, I guess.”
“That’s awful,” Theo adds. “I mean, I don’t blame them. Men kind of suck.”
Max nods. “They kinda do.”
I glance back down at my phone screen, where my text conversation with Jude is still open. If they don’t trust men, why would they talk to me? Do they feel pressured to interact with me because I’m Max’s roommate? Are they only being nice to avoid conflict?
“Well, if there’s such a thing as a decent cishet man out there, Jude’s picked the right one to befriend,” Theo says, patting me on the back. “Oliver’s a good egg.”
I smile gratefully. “I try.”
“Good,” Max says with a tight smile. “Jude could use all the good eggs they can get.”
“Well, then, I’ll be the best egg possible,” I vow. And even though I have no idea what it even means, I have every intention of keeping my word.